Robin van Persie closes in on all-time Dutch top scorer Patrick Kluivert

Robin van Persie celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2014 World Cup European zone group D qualifier between Andorra and the Netherlands at Municipal Stadium in Andorra La Vella on September 10, 2013. (Getty Images)

The Hague, Sep 11 (IANS): Robin van Persie scored his 37th and 38th goals for the Dutch national team against Andorra to climb to the second spot on the all-time Netherlands top scorers list.

Van Persie scored his first goal in the World Cup qualifier in Andorra la Vella Tuesday in the 50th minute with a beautiful curled shot from outside the penalty box. Four minutes later he secured the 2-0 victory with his second. The win earned the Netherlands qualification for the 2014 World Cup, reports Xinhua.

On the all-time top scorers list of the Dutch national team Van Persie surpassed Dennis Bergkamp, who had been second with 37 goals. Both players played 79 internationals to reach their respective numbers. Van Persie now needs two more goals to equal Oranje’s all-time top scorer Patrick Kluivert (40 goals, also in 79 internationals).

The 30-year-old debuted for the Dutch team in a World Cup qualifier against Romania (2-0 win) June 4, 2005. He scored his first goal in his second international against Finland (4-0 win) four days later.

After Kluivert, Van Persie and Bergkamp, the top ten of the all-time top scorers list of the Dutch national team consist of Faas Wilkes (35 goals, 38 internationals), Ruud van Nistelrooy (35, 70), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (34, 60), Abe Lenstra (33, 47), Johan Cruyff (33, 48), Beb Bakhuys (28, 23) and Kick Smit (26, 29).