Van Persie shows glimpses of form in Dutch win

The Netherlands striker showed enough of his old form to prove that he has fully recovered from a ankle injury.

Netherlands striker Robin van Persie showed enough of his old form in Monday’s victory over Denmark to prove that he has fully recovered from a right ankle injury.

In front of a near capacity crowd at Soccer City,the 26-year-old Dutchman was a consistent thorn in the side of the Danish team. And it was his cross that led to the own goal that broke the deadlock a minute into the second half of the 2-0 win.

Van Persie,who missed much of the season for Arsenal because of injury,stayed close to the left side of the field and linked beautifully at times with Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder. He picked up a yellow card in the 49th minute and was replaced in the 77th,but teammate Eljero Elia said that was because of fears of getting another booking.

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“He’s had a long injury and now he’s almost 100 percent and I think it’s good to know that in a game like that he can start and now he can play better,” Van der Vaart said.

Van Persie’s fitness and ability to keep cool will be crucial if the Netherlands can finally land the biggest prize in football. In the run-up to the tournament,Van Persie lifted the spirits of a team that won all eight of its qualifying games.

In the 61st minute,Van Persie was lucky not to get a second caution when he beat Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen after being put through. However,the whistle had gone for offside.

French referee Stephane Lannoy had a word with the Dutchman,who motioned that the incessant vuvuzela din was behind his apparent failure to hear the whistle.

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Without him at Arsenal,the Premier League teram’s attack often lacked bite despite a wealth of talent.

The Netherlands play Japan next on Saturday,June 19 in Durban.