Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has vowed to use Sunday's World
Cup final to end the years of self-inflicted hurt suffered by some
of the great Holland sides of the past.
With three billion television viewers expected to watch as
Holland take on Spain at Soccer City in Johannesburg, Van Persie
says the match will be the biggest professional challenge of his
life.
And while the brilliant Spanish team will start as favourites,
Van Persie’s hope is that Bert van Marwijk’s men can make up for
the trouble and strife that have wrecked previous Dutch hopes.
Up for the cup: Robin van Persie clashes with Diego
Godin during Holland's semi-final clash with Uruguay on
Tuesday
According to the 26-year-old striker, whose own World Cup has
been disappointing with just one goal to his credit, the team are
united in putting national triumph above personal glory.
‘Things have not always gone my way in this World Cup but we
have been so strong as a team because nobody made himself more
important than the others,’ said Van Persie.
‘I would rather be a world champion and not score, than score
against Spain and lose the match. It’s something I have learned at
Arsenal. The team have to get the right result. That is more
important for me than anything.
‘This final is going to be the biggest test for my generation of
players but it’s not just a climax for me or the team; it’s a World
Cup in which the whole Dutch nation are involved.’
Ready for the challenge: Van Persie of controls the
ball during training in Johannesburg on Saturday
Holland have lost in their two final appearances in 1974 and
1978. Since then, Dutch efforts have often foundered on internal
bickering.
At Euro 96, coach Guus Hiddink sent midfielder Edgar Davids home
early for insulting him in an interview. Hiddink’s squad were
reportedly split on ethnic lines.
Van Marwijk’s predecessor, Marco van Basten, also fell out with
Davids, Mark van Bommel and Clarence Seedorf and famously
criticised Ruud van Nistelrooy during the 2006 World Cup.
Van Persie and his Arsenal captain, Spain’s Cesc Fabregas, have
swapped text messages in the run-up to the final.
Hoping to make up for past disappointments: Holland
lost their second successive World Cup final against Argentina in
1978
And Van Persie, a darts fan, is taking some inspiration into the
game in the unlikely form of world darts champion Phil ‘The Power’
Taylor.
‘At this level you have to be patient and hit it when the moment
is there,’ said Van Persie. ‘I compare it to Phil Taylor. I’ve
watched his matches in England. He plays it safe a number of times,
then when he feels his chances are there, he goes for it and hits
three triples in succession. He gives his opponent the killer punch
at the right moment.
'That is the way we have to play against Spain.’