Holland need Robin van Persie in the right mood for glory

Off day: Robin van Persie can’t hide his anger at being substituted by Holland coach Bert van Marwijk against Slovakia
10 April 2012

This is supposed to be the happiest time in Robin van Persie's life and yet for the past few weeks he has been wearing a scowl in South Africa.

Tonight, the Arsenal striker will play in the biggest game of his career as Holland take on Uruguay for a place in the World Cup Final and his nation are relying on him to get back to his best.

It has felt like a long time since Van Persie was playing to his full potential. Then again, that is no surprise. A crude challenge by Giorgio Chiellini in a friendly against Italy last November ruptured his ankle ligaments and he did not return to action until April.

The lengthy spell on the sidelines badly damaged Arsenal's title hopes and by the time he was back to full fitness it was too late.

One senses that frustration is still with him and, naturally, the fact he has been a passenger during Holland's run to the last four has not lightened his mood.

Like many of the stars tipped to shine in South Africa, he has failed to deliver with his goal against Cameroon being his only one of this tournament.

His bust-up with coach Bert van Marwijk after he was substituted in the last-16 win against Slovakia was there for everyone to see.

Yet it has been the same story behind the scenes, where he has looked a sour figure walking through the media mixed zones, rarely stopping to answer questions.

Every Arsenal supporter will remember it was a different Van Persie when he began the season with eight goals in 16 games which had most people, including himself, wearing a broad smile.

He brought panache to Arsene Wenger's side, and that has been the missing ingredient from the Holland team in South Africa.

This is their first World Cup semi-final since they lost to Brazil on penalties in 1998 but the critics are far from satisfied. The style of play has been derided and compared unfavourably to the Dutch side which played Total Football' in the 1970s and were unfortunate to lose two finals.

It is remarkable when you consider they have players like Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder but without Van Persie providing the cutting edge up front they have looked ordinary at times.

Van Marwijk is well aware of the 26-year-old's importance to his hopes, which is why he forgave the forward for his act of petulance last week.

He said: "Robin is extremely talented. He is one of the best football players on this planet. He was injured for a very long time and you do need a certain rhythm. Sometimes it comes just like that. Sometimes it takes a bit longer.

"But he was better in the last match than the one before. Players with so much talent can suddenly decide a game. I always believe in him."

Those are words he probably needs to hear having been substituted by the 58-year-old in all of Holland's games up to the semi-finals.

It will certainly not get any easier for him in Cape Town for Uruguay have proved strong in defence, with only two goals conceded so far.

The match is certainly not expected to be a classic and the Dutch players stress that the quality of football has to be secondary to reaching a possible final. Feyenoord and former Arsenal left-back Giovanni van Bronckhorst explained: "Many teams have said we haven't been playing beautiful football but we have done well.

Every game, you want to play well but the most important thing now is that we win.

"In the past, we have started well and then lost, this time we are much closer and full of confidence. This team always want to play good football but sometimes it is not possible. It is becoming harder as we are in the last four, our opponents will be tough. If we win with beautiful football, great, but we would be happier with a victory."

Uruguay, however, are ready to spoil the party and are enjoying their role as the villains of the competition.

Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan said: "The tournament itself makes us believe as we go into each game. We are in the top four in the world at this moment — it is unbelievable. We know we are playing against a very good team with very talented players but you have to play the game. The history of the country or the names of the players that you play don't matter."

To add to Uruguay's challenge, most inside Green Point Stadium will be cheering for the opposition, with the Dutch expected to have more than 20,000 fans at the game, while the locals are desperate for revenge following Luis Suarez's role in Ghana's controversial exit in the quarter-final.

Still, it won't be won in the stands but on the pitch, and for Van Persie now is the time to deliver.

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