Former Real Madrid striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy got off the bench to score a brace in the span of 2 minutes for his new club Hamburg SV as they cruised to a 3-1 win over VfB Stuttgart on Friday.
Van Nistelrooy who left Real in the winter transfer window was making only his second appearance for the club and he did it in style. The Dutch international who still harbours hopes of representing his country in this year’s World Cup finals was introduced as sub in the 65th minute and scored 10 minutes later when he turned in a shot that team mate David Rozenhal had headed onto his path.
Looking at the VfB Stuttgart line-up, i was surprised to see a host, okay just 2 former Arsenal players in their ranks. Jehns Lehman and Alexander Hleb were in action for Stuttgart but they could not stop their team from suffering an embarassing home defeat.
Ruud may be 33 years old but he has not lost what both Madrid and United saw in him – his keen eye for goal. Its only a shame that he won’t make it to the World cup squad. Competiton is very fierce. That said, Holland i still do not see the Dutch winning the cup.
They had their chance in the 1998 finals and they blew it. That to me was the best Dutch Squad i can remember ( din’t see the Cruyff, Van Basten and Gullit era). Anyway, Van Nistelrooy can be happy with the fact that he is getting hs career back on track.
Photo credit: Erene88