Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt is hoping that his goal-scoring return to the Netherlands national side will secure a place in Marco Van Basten’s Euro 2008 squad.
Kuyt scored the opener in his nation’s 3-0 over Ukraine on Saturday evening, but is still not guaranteed to be on the plane to this summer’s championships. Coach Marco Van Basten still has one more cut to make before the announcement of a 23 man panel on Wednesday. FC Twente goalkeeper Sandor Boschker and Feyenoord midfielder Denny Landzaat were the victims of Van Basten’s decision to cut his provisional panel from 26 to 24 in the wake of the Ukraine win, and the 36 times-capped Kuyt will not rest on his laurels.
The 27-year old had been largely ignored in favour of Klaas Jan Huntelaar of late, and the ex-Feyenoord man is eager to grasp the chance to make a positive impression before Wednesday’s squad deadline. With Van Basten’s decision imminent, Kuyt’s seventh international goal may earn him a place in the manager’s final plans. He told Dutch newspaper De Telegraf: “I am glad that I am part of the Holland team again. I think we made a good impression as a team. Only at the end of the match we got tired. That is logical looking at the efforts of the last weeks.”
Although a prolific front man in his native country, since his 2006 transfer to Liverpool, Kuyt has toiled mostly as a right winger. His work-rate and attitude have endeared him to the Anfield crowd but his goal scoring record plummeted. However, the former Feyenoord man seems happy in the role, despite admitting to being unsure at first. "It's gone well for me," he said of his right-wing berth. "Sometimes things just fall into place. I had the feeling when it started that it was temporary, but it went so well we carried on. The way we play now for the Netherlands is very similar to the Liverpool system, and I think I have shown I can play there. You have players who can turn a match with one touch and players who perform in service to the team. I have no problem playing for the team. I feel really strong. That is the advantage of playing in the Premier League. It is the physically toughest league in the world and you only get better and stronger from playing there."
Author: Peter Staunton
Source: goal.com
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