Kuijt's wing play could be a real World Cup delight

AMSTERDAM, May 24: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie will be the best known Dutch strikers at the World Cup, with the necessary skills to decide matches in their team's favour.

In the eyes of most coaches, however, the 25-year-old Dirk Kuijt is the striker every team requires to achieve the ideal balance.

Kuijt is not only a constant threat to the opponents' defence but also a genuine team player, who never neglects his defensive responsibilities.

The ''ideal son-in-law'' from the fishing village of Katwijk, he made his debut in professional soccer for Utrecht eight years ago and scored the first of more than 120 goals in over 250 league matches in his second match.

In his early days Kuijt attracted attention for his style of play and remarkable physical strength.

After five seasons at Utrecht, he joined Feyenoord, where he was supposed to succeed Pierre van Hooijdonk.

Kuijt easily filled his shoes and has scored more then 20 goals in each of the last four seasons.

Despite his impressive performances on the domestic level Kuijt was denied by former national coach Dick Advocaat, who developed a reputation as a conservative for favouring well-known names rather than giving the youngsters a chance to show what they could do.

Kuijt got his chance after Marco van Basten took over and convinced himself of the striker's unique qualities.

Since the middle of 2004 Kuijt has played in 16 of the Netherlands' 18 international matches and scored four goals.

In 15 matches Kuijt filled the right-wing position with verve. It is not his favourite spot but Kuijt is a player who does what his coach requires.

With this capable winger on the right and Robben, a player of the same class on the left, Van Basten has the basis of a lethal two-pronged attack serving up chances for Van Nistelrooy in the middle. It is likely to be an extremely potent threat.

REUTERS