Van Hooijdonk relishes return
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Article summary
Pierre van Hooijdonk may be 36 but his return to Feyenoord could prove pivotal to the Rotterdam side's bid to dethrone PSV Eindhoven as Dutch champions.
Article body
Missing piece
Signed on an 18-month deal from Dutch rivals NAC Breda, the veteran striker's arrival has ended Feyenoord coach Erwin Koeman's search for a super sub - more commonly known as a pinch hitter in the Netherlands - who can break down defences when first-choice forwards Dirk Kuijt and Salomon Kalou find the going tough.
Extra dimension
The lack of such a player was underlined in Sunday's goalless draw with Roda JC - the two dropped points leaving Feyenoord three behind leaders PSV as they chase a first championship since 1998/99. "It is well known we have been looking for this type of player," said Koeman. "He is an extra attacker who can add specific qualities to our armoury. He can keep two defenders busy and also has his set-pieces as an extra weapon."
Mighty weapon
The trademark Van Hooijdonk free-kick is well-known in Rotterdam. The former Celtic FC, Nottingham Forest FC, SL Benfica and Fenerbahçe SK man played for Feyenoord between 2001 and 2003, scoring 52 goals in 61 Eredivisie games and helping the club claim the 2001/02 UEFA Cup. The final, held at Feyenoord's De Kuip stadium, proved to be something of a showcase for Van Hooijdonk as he struck the first two goals - a penalty and a free-kick - in a 3-2 victory against Germany's BV Borussia Dortmund.
Hit single
Such heroics made Van Hooijdonk a firm favourite with the Feyenoord fans. The latter's habit of raising their arms every time the striker went to take a free-kick even inspired a hit record: Put Your Hands Up For Pi-Air. For his part, Van Hooijdonk is eyeing his first league title with Feyenoord - and having been denied the chance to parade the UEFA Cup following the murder of Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn in the days before the final, bask in the glory in Rotterdam's Coolsingel Square.
Coolsingel celebration
"I finally want to celebrate with the supporters on the Coolsingel," he said. "With the UEFA Cup we were not able to do that, but that dream still stands for me." Feyenoord fans will doubtless be having similar fantasies in the coming months.
