Striker revels in PSV role

By Kevin Ashby in Eindhoven

Having given a masterclass in playing as a lone marksman when PSV Eindhoven eliminated AS Monaco FC in the previous round, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is hoping to provide another performance combining power and precision when Olympique Lyonnais put their UEFA Champions League ambitions on the line at the Philips Stadion.

Towering header
The 26-year-old was the curse of Monaco at Stade Louis II last month, his towering first-half header in the Round of 16 second leg effectively ending the French side's challenge following PSV's 1-0 triumph in Eindhoven. Lyon have designs on emulating their countrymen's feat of last season when they reached the final, yet Vennegoor of Hesselink - standing 1.88m tall - will present a formidable barrier to their chances.

Difficult match
"We had a good result in France as nobody expected us to score a goal," Vennegoor of Hesselink told uefa.com, reflecting on the 1-1 draw at Stade Gerland achieved by Phillip Cocu's late low drive. "It was a difficult game but we gave it everything and now we have to finish it here in Eindhoven. It's going to be difficult but I hope at a quarter to eleven we are the team cheering on the field."

Regular scorer
PSV used just over a third of the €30m they received from the sale of Ruud van Nistelrooij to Manchester United FC in the summer of 2001 to tempt Vennegoor of Hesselink to the Netherlands' second city. Goals had been his currency at FC Twente and he continued to find the net in the red and white of PSV, hitting 22 league goals in his first campaign and 20 over the next two Eredivisie seasons.

Team player
He has profited from the extra responsibility awarded him by Guus Hiddink this term following the sale of Mateja Kezman to Chelsea FC and so have PSV, 15 league strikes playing a significant part in their 13-point advantage at the Dutch summit. Ever humble, Vennegoor of Hesselink was keen to play down his role in the team's success, instead attributing it to the spirit in the camp.

'Strength and pace'
"Everyone wants to fight and work for each other," he said. "We have a team mixed with experienced and young players and everyone connects well." PSV will have to present a united front if they are to keep Lyon - the Champions League's 28-goal leading scorers - at bay tonight. "They play with a lot of strength and pace," said Vennegoor of Hesselink. "They also have a lot of confidence and will be difficult to beat."

'Great opportunity'
Capped three times by his country - most recently in the 2-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying victory against Armenia on 30 March - Vennegoor of Hesselink would do his international hopes little harm by impressing against Lyon, not least as a win would bring a notable reward in the form of a semi-final against AC Milan. "It's a great opportunity for me and the team," he said.

'Blessed'
"It is an honour to play in the Champions League as it is the best club tournament in the world," continued the forward. "Every player wants to play in it and now we are standing in the quarter-finals a lot of people in Europe are watching. If you can play in this kind of tournament you are blessed." PSV fans will no doubt feel blessed too should their No9 deliver again tonight.