Holland manager singles out Premier League pair for praise

Holland can be backed at 8/11 with Victor Chandler to win the 2010 World Cup

Holland manager Bert Van Marwijk has claimed that two of the players who are influential to the Dutch sides success so far are the strikers Robin Van Persie and Dirk Kuyt.

Despite only scoring two goals between them and being overshadowed by the performances of midfielders Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, Van Marwijk singled out the Arsenal and Liverpool duo for praise, saying of Kuyt:

"I read somewhere that when Rafael Benitez picked a team at Liverpool, he wrote Kuyt's name down first. That says everything,

"Every player has a period where things don't work out and Liverpool had a very tough year, but Kuyt is extremely important for us.

"The way he plays shows his passion and enthusiasm, and it is catching."

Speaking of Kuyt’s partner in attack, Robin Van Persie, the Dutch manager added:

“Robin is extremely talented. He is one of the best football players on this planet.

"He was injured for a very long time and you do need a certain rhythm. Sometimes it comes just like that. Sometimes it takes a bit longer.

"But he was better in the last match than the one before. Players with so much talent can suddenly decide a game. I always believe in him and still do."