world cup 2010

In the 1970s, the Dutch idolised the elegant genius of Johan Cruyff, even though he never won a World Cup. This year, Dirk Kuyt's grit and determination might well take it to the title.

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In a country where beauty has long trumped winning, the Netherlands team of 2010 is doing it the other way around, epitomised by the work ethic and persistence of the versatile Liverpool player.

"He always gives everyone a signal how it should be done. And his impact and enthusiasm is very infectious," coach Bert van Marwijk said. "He is incredibly important."

So much so that Van Marwijk benched one of his most gifted players, Rafael van der Vaart, to give Kuyt the opportunity to wear down Brazil and send Netherlands into a semi-final against Uruguay.

Whether in orange or the red of Liverpool, Kuyt plays the same way. Shooting off in various directions like a pinball, he chases players left, right and centre and doesn't give up until his team has won possession. Then he reverts into the utility forward he is, opens up play and gives decisive passes like the assist which earned the Dutch a 2-1 victory over Slovakia in the round of 16.

So much for the vaunted Big Dutch Four. Based on South Africa's wildlife Big Five, purists had wanted to see Oranje play the superbly gifted quartet of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Van der Vaart and Robin van Persie.

Van Persie even made a point of pushing for it himself, and pushing Kuyt onto the sidelines in the process.

The notion was too romantic for Van Marwijk, who has had to fight off unkind comparisons with Dutch 'Total Football' of the 1970s ever since his team started winning ugly in the group stage. However ugly it is, his side remains the only nation with a perfect record in the World Cup.

Credit Kuyt.

"The way he fights in this team, his work load rubs off on all the other players," captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst said.

Look at him move, even in training, and his value is plain to see.

At pre-match training on Monday, Kuyt took part with the rest of his team-mates in the usual set of passing, shooting and dribbling drills. But while some relaxed, the 29-year-old forward exuded determination.

Kuyt then took some extra shooting practice alongside Robben. Kuyt drilled his shots low from distance with his right foot, as straightforward as can be. Robben instead, practiced his trademark move, cutting in sideways, faking past a defender and curling left-footed shots inside the posts - poetry in motion.

On Monday though, Kuyt received the ultimate Dutch accolade when Cruyff embraced his play and work ethic.

"Without belittling anyone, it is still nice to see how Kuyt developed into one of the most valuable players. There were doubts, but he was ready as of the opening game," Cruyff wrote in De Telegraaf.

"Look at what he did. Started on the right, then at forward and against Brazil on the left, not only did he keep Maicon out of the game, he also set up the winner," referring to Kuyt flicking on the corner that was headed in by Sneijder.

"Someone like that is worth his weight in gold," Cruyff said.

The sterling endorsement came after a tough season at Liverpool, scoring only three goals in 31 Premier League appearances.

"Every player has a lesser spell in his career. But Liverpool also had a tough year," said Van Marwijk, who also knows one thing about outgoing Reds coach Rafa Benitez.

"When Benitez sets up his line-up, the first name he writes down is Kuyt. It says enough."