[doctorzlo]

World Cup 2010: Netherlands forward Dirk Kuyt - Referee Howard Webb to blame for defeat to Spain
Frustrated frontman angry following heartbreaking defeat…

By Stefano Federici
12 Jul 2010 01:36:00

After going so close to lifting the biggest prize in world football with the Netherlands, it was a distraught Dirk Kuyt who was first to brave the press following his side’s 1-0 final defeat to Spain.

With a number of key decisions not going the way of the Oranje on the night, the hitman decided to focus on the standard of the officiating as one of the key reasons behind his side's loss.

“We are angry because we were so close,” the Liverpool man was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“The referee was slightly more for them than for us. That ultimately cost us the cup.”

Kuyt was substituted for Hamburg winger Eljero Elia in the second half of Sunday's final.

Andres Iniesta's goal four minutes from the end of extra-time sealed victory for the Spaniards in what had been a keenly contested conclusion to the tournament.