Van Persie making "big leaps forward"

Friday, 4 June 2010

When he returned to the squad there were some doubts about his fitness, after an ankle injury had kept him out for five months. A week before the start of the 2010 World Cup Football in South Africa the forward has shown everybody that he is ready for the tournament.

He is happy with the way the preparation campaign has been going so far. "Yes, it's been going very well. You could see that level increased daily."

The Dutch number 9 has bagged three in the two practice games Holland played during this campaign. "I'm making big leaps forward. So it's going well. Sometimes the second half is tough, but even then I am able make the important dashes."

After two days rest the squad reported back with Bert van Marwijk this afternoon. Van Persie didn't touch a ball during these two days. "I've been spending time with the kids. By taking it easy I could have a look at the way my body reacts to a complete game." That reaction turned out not to be too bad, although his hamstrings felt a bit stiff; "But those are nice pains."

Although he didn't see much of the friendlies other countries played, Van Persie does have his own favorites for the title. "Spain have a great team, and so have England when Rooney is fit. Germany are always a team to reckon with, as are Argentina and Brazilof course;"

The Arsenal striker also expects some surprises. "You see that during every tournament. At Euro 2008 we saw Turkey making it to the semifinals. Who expected that? We'll see that happening this time as well."

Van Persie didn't want to say much about the chances of Holland, but he is confident. "We have a lot of quality and we come well prepared."