Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong is delighted that he was the man to score the goal that booked Holland’s place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

De Jong, who will get an early taste of South Africa when he joins his City teammates for the 2009 Vodacom Challenge, netted the winner as the Dutch beat Iceland 2-1 to become the first European side to qualify for the World Cup.

"My job as a footballer is not one you can do for 30 or 40 years you have to enjoy every moment of it and qualifying is really satisfying," he told The Manchester Evening News.

The 24-year-old joined ManchesterCity from German Bundesliga side Hamburg in the January 2009 transfer window and will be a key partner for new City signing Gareth Barry in midfield.

Barry also scored at the weekend as England thrashed Kazakhstan to make it six wins out of six for Fabio Capello’s side on the road to 2010.

And fans are likely to get a first look at Barry in a City shirt when the side takes on Orlando Pirates (July 18), Kaizer Chiefs (July 21) and the Soweto Derby winner in the 2009 Vodacom Challenge Final (25 July).