• World Cup

Kuyt ready for final step

ESPN staff
July 7, 2010
Dirk Kuyt and the Dutch celebrated their win over Uruguay in style © Getty Images
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Dirk Kuyt feels Netherlands need to take the final leap and secure World Cup glory.

The Dutch booked their place in Sunday's final with a 3-2 win over Uruguay. Twice before, in 1974 and 1978, the Oranje have been tripped up in the final. Kuyt is aware of the pressure on the side and feels they must not be bogged down by expectation.

"After a long journey we are in the final," said the Liverpool man. "We are so close to writing history. This is the third time we have reached the final. Now we have to win it.

"We felt before the tournament we had the quality in the team to win it but now it is an incredible feeling."

Demy de Zeeuw is a doubt for the final after being kicked in the face by Uruguay's Martin Caceres.

The incident sparked a scuffle between the two teams which saw Caceres and Netherlands goalscorer Wesley Sneijder booked, and De Zeeuw was replaced at half time by Rafael van der Vaart. De Zeeuw himself was only in the team as a fill in for Nigel de Jong, who was suspended for the match and likely to return for the final in any case.

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk confirmed after the match that De Zeeuw had been sent for X-rays, with his potential for inclusion in Sunday's World Cup final likely to be known on Wednesday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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