Dirk Kuyt: Retired from Netherlands duty

Holland striker Dirk Kuyt has retired from international football, ending his 10-year career with the national team.

The 34-year-old Fenerbahce forward won 104 caps, scoring 24 goals.

Kuyt was a part of Louis van Gaal's squad that finished third at this summer's World Cup but was omitted by new boss Guus Hiddink for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Iceland.

The versatile former Liverpool and Feyenoord forward was an unused substitute for Holland's opening match in Group A - a 2-1 defeat to the Czech Republic.

Kuyt said on the Dutch FA wesbite, knvb.de: "I want to be important to the Netherlands team, but the coach explained to me that he no longer has the role for me that I would prefer.

"I'm 34 years old, then you should be honest to yourself. I didn't quite fancy investing a lot of energy in the Oranje for another two years without getting to play much.

"I look back with great pride on 10 wonderful years with the Dutch national team."

He (Kuyt) is not entirely gone; the door is still open. We have agreed by mutual consent that Dirk will be available in cases of emergency. Guus Hiddink

Kuyt was given his Holland debut by Marco van Basten against Liechtenstein in September 2004 and made his last appearance in last month's 2-0 friendly defeat to Italy.

He is one of only seven Dutch players to have won 100 caps.

Hiddink said there was still a chance Kuyt could play for his country again in case of emergencies, in a similar way to former goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar who, after announcing his retirement in 2008, played two more matches for the Oranje after the national squad was hit by injury.

Hiddink said: "We respect Dirk's choice and thank him for everything he has done for Dutch football. But he's not entirely gone; the door is still open. We have agreed by mutual consent that Dirk will be available in cases of emergency."