Coach: No Dutch disharmony
Van Persie was brought off with 10 minutes left of the last 16 World Cup clash and exchanged some angry words with his manager before taking his place on the bench.
Netherlands won thanks to goals from Arjen Robben – playing his first game of the World Cup after recovering from injury – and Wesley Sneijder, but van Persie did not take kindly to being replaced by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
However Van Marwijk insisted he was not angered by the Arsenal striker’s reaction.
“Robin was a bit disappointed that I replaced him,’’ said Van Marwijk. “That’s why he reacted like that. I don’t blame him for his reaction though and I’m absolutely not angry.’’
The Dutch coach was fulsome in his praise for Robben’s contribution.
The Bayern Munich winger struck a superb goal in the 18th minute to put his team on course for a quarter-final spot.
“I am so pleased that Robben is fit again,” said Van Marwijk. “He was decisive for us.
“It was important that he played for 70 minutes and I think for him he has just passed that fear factor having recently returned from injury.”
Van Marwijk also showered Holland goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg with praise.
Stekelenburg made a great save from Robert Vittek’s close-range strike in the 66th minute to deny Slovakia an equaliser before Sneijder doubled Holland’s lead six minutes from time.
The Ajax man did, though, concede a penalty at the death to hand Slovakia a consolation goal.
“He made a great save,” said Van Marwijk.
“It proved crucial because Slovakia were gaining confidence as we failed to find our second goal in the second half.
“As for the penalty, I didn’t think it was one but it doesn’t matter because I think our defence has done a great job so far.”
Netherlands have given away just two goals in the tournament and Van Marwijk is pleased with his team’s performance. “I think we deserved to win this match,” he said.
“I can’t be unhappy with our performance.
“We did rather well, especially in the second half.
“In all of the matches we have played so far, we have shown that we can control a match and we have been able to show how good we play.”
Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss was left to rue his team’s missed chances although he admitted the Netherlands were the better side.
With his team trailing 1-0, Miroslav Stoch and Vittek had several opportunities to equalise but were denied by Stekelenburg.
“I want to congratulate Holland,” said Weiss. “They were great opponents.
“We had three huge chances when the result was 1-0 and had Vittek managed to make his chances, it could have been a different story.
“But in the end, if you make mistakes you are punished.
“I think no coach can be happy if he loses and if he has three high quality chances against Holland.
“I am happy with my players although I believe they could have played much better.”
Subs for Netherlands: Elia for Robben 71, Huntelaar for van Persie 80, Afellay for Sneijder 90.
Subs for Slovakia: Kopunek for Jendrisek 71, Sapara for Hamsik 87, Jakubko for Zabavnik 87.
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