Dutch boss stamps out unrest after spat with van Persie

NETHERLANDS coach Bert van Marwijk has demanded unity among his World Cup players after Robin van Persie’s angry outburst at being substituted in the 2-1 defeat of Slovakia threatened to derail preparations for its quarter-final against Brazil.

Van Marwijk said yesterday he called a team meeting after reports in Dutch media that the Arsenal striker said midfielder Wesley Sneijder should have been brought off instead of him.

“I will never accept anything that could upset the next match,” Van Marwijk told Dutch national broadcaster NOS.

“I spoke to Robin and he is supposed to have said something about Wesley. I’ve spoken to Wesley and after that I called the team together… told them what I think and then drew a line under it.”

He did not elaborate on what he said to the players, but his swift action was clearly intended to preserve unity in the crucial buildup to Friday’s quarter-final in Port Elizabeth.

Previous Dutch campaigns have often been rocked by infighting, but the team had appeared unified in South Africa. Van Marwijk insists he nipped the latest dispute in the bud.

“I’ve always said I don’t mind if something happens – that can make you stronger – but I don’t like to leave problems dangling,” he said. “It’s over. For everybody.”

Van Persie and Sneijder did not speak to the media yesterday, but Van Persie denied Monday having said Sneijder should have been substituted instead of him.

Van Marwijk said he did not hear what Van Persie said to him after the substitution because of the din of vuvuzelas in Durban’s sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium. Sneijder did not speak to reporters after the match.

Meanwhile, midfielder Gilberto Silva has spoken of Brazil’s hunger for a sixth World Cup crown, insisting all the players are desperate for success.

The South Americans sealed their place in the quarter-finals on Monday after coasting to a 3-0 win over Chile in Johannesburg.

And the former Arsenal player is backing the South Americans to now go all the way.

“I believe we can win,” he said. “The mood in the squad is very good at the moment, everyone is enjoying a lot what we’re doing for our country.

“Everyone is hungry to achieve one more trophy for Brazil. This is what we talk about all the time.

“We expect a very hard game because Holland have got a quality team with very good players.”