Dirk Kuyt Powers Fenerbache into the Champions League Playoff Round

The most notable sound byte from a July 17 press conference at Dirk Kuyt's new club of Fenerbache concerned the Dutch forward saying that during a two-week vacation with compatriot and close friend Robin van Persie, the embattled Arsenal striker, had professed a desire to one day play with the Turkish giants.

However that scenario is unlikely to play out for some years time, so for now Fenerbache will have to make do with Kuyt.

Based on the former Liverpool man's showing during a crucial Champions League two-leg tie against Vaslui, that might just suffice for the time being.

Kuyt's brace fired Fenerbache to a 4-1 victory on Tuesday, that advanced them to the Champions League play-off round.

It was vintage stuff from Kuyt, who endeared himself to the Anfield faithful for his ability to turn up on the biggest of occasions.

His goal against AC Milan in the 2007 will always be considered the crown jewel of his overall tally (which ran to a sum total of 51 during six seasons of play), but fans of his new club will take heart that he has not lost his predatory sense in front of goal.

While Kuyt said that he would be willing to play "anywhere" during that aforementioned press conference, he had believed he would largely feature at right wing.

On Wednesday, however, he operated as the lone striker for 85 minutes before making way for Moussa Sow—another of Fenerbache's newest acquisitions.

The Istanbul club will now make its re-entry into Europe's premier club competition after being barred during the 2011-12 campaign amid reports of a match-fixing scandal.

UEFA, the governing body which presides over the Champions League, cleared Fenerbache this past June to participate in the upcoming event.

The hard work still had to be done, though. And while a tricky playoff tie looms large in the near future, thanks to Kuyt they are one step closer to their goal.