Dirk: It can be our time

Dirk Kuyt believes Holland's flawless World Cup qualifying campaign means they will be amongst the frontrunners for success in South Africa this summer.

Having won all eight matches in qualifying, conceding just two goals along the way, the Dutch are one of the in-form sides currently on the international stage.

The Oranje have often been accused of underperforming in major tournaments and were eliminated from Euro 2008 at the quarter-final stage by Russia - but Kuyt insists they're now a tougher proposition.

"In the last few tournaments Holland have always played very well only be beaten by one off day such as against Russia," the forward told LFC Weekly.

"The main feeling now is that we want to push a little bit harder to be ready for the moment when we are not at our best level but can still go to the next round. I think we have lots of quality in the team.

"Many players have been playing for a long period with each other in the Dutch team now so it's time to use that experience and do something more than we've shown in the last couple of tournaments. We're going to try to push as hard as possible.

"We won every game in qualification which is very positive and we're unbeaten since Van Marwijk came into the job."

Kuyt, who along with Anfield teammate Ryan Babel has been included in Bert van Marwijk's 23-man squad for the tournament, was on target as Holland romped to a 4-1 win in their penultimate warm-up game against Ghana on Tuesday evening.

The Reds No.18 enjoys a close relationship with the Dutch coach, who signed him for Feyenoord from FC Utrecht in 2003.

He added: "Van Marwijk has been important in my career because he gave me the chance to go to a top club in Holland.

"That was something that meant a lot for me because as a Dutch player you always want to play for one of the best teams in the highest league.

"He gave me that opportunity so he is definitely a special manager for me. He has signed a new contract until the end of the European Championships in 2012 and he's doing very well at the moment."