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- Depay scored twice inside the opening 16 minutes of the Netherlands鈥� 8-0 win over Malta in a World Cup qualifier to equal Robin van Persie鈥檚 record of 50
GRONINGEN: Memphis Depay was denied the chance to complete a hat-trick on Tuesday, and take sole possession of the Dutch national team鈥檚 all-time scoring record in the process, as coach Ronald Koeman said he wanted to keep him hungry for goals.
Depay scored twice inside the opening 16 minutes of the Netherlands鈥� 8-0 win over Malta in a World Cup qualifier to equal Robin van Persie鈥檚 record of 50.
Both players have 50 goals in 102 international appearances.
鈥淚 equalled Van Persie, I am happy with that,鈥� said Depay, who was taken off in the 72nd minute with the Dutch 4-0 up.
鈥淏ut this is just an interim total. Of course I am also going for 51, 52 and also 53. If I had played longer, I might have scored one more tonight,鈥� he told reporters.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 say anything about the fact that the coach took me off early. I was already happy that I could do what I鈥檝e been doing for years ... scoring.鈥�
Depay scored his first international goal against Australia at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but it has not always been smooth sailing over the years with the national team.
鈥淲e have had some turbulence over the years,鈥� he said.
鈥淭here have been many coaches and many players have come and gone. The times have shaped me and made me realize what I want.
鈥淯ltimately, it鈥檚 important that we鈥檙e at the World Cup and that we go far.鈥�
Koeman has consistently backed Depay over his two spells in charge of the Dutch, even when he struggled with his club form.
鈥淚鈥檝e always thought Memphis is a great player. I think he deserves a great compliment. He鈥檚 had a year full of injuries, but he鈥檚 fit and hungry now,鈥� said Koeman.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great that he didn鈥檛 score the third, because then he stays hungry,鈥� he quipped on Dutch television.