“He had some stomach problems, some intestinal problems, so it’s better not to train then because you make it worse,” Dutch head coach Louis van Gaal, who is likely to switch back to the 5-3-2 shape he favored against Spain and Chile, told reporters on Tuesday.
“Van Persie is our captain. So in that capacity alone, he is very important. In principle, my captain will always play but they have to be in good shape,“ the coach pointed out.
Van Gaal believes there is nothing between the Netherlands and Argentina.
“I don’t think there’s a favorite,” Van Gaal said of the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday at the Arena de Sao Paulo in Sao Paulo.
“I think in the semifinal the countries are the same level. It has been like that in the quarterfinals and last 16 so I would say it’s a 50-50 match. We have to be a bit lucky, the coin has to face your way – as we say in Dutch,” the Dutch coach commented.
The Netherlands has relied heavily on Van Persie and fellow star Arjen Robben in Brazil. Both players scored in the 4-3 penalty shootout win over Costa Rica.
Meanwhile, Van Persie said all his energy was focused on getting past Argentina and winning Holland’s first ever World Cup.
“It’s a dream to grab hold of that cup,” he said. “Playing against Argentina is not a dream. It doesn’t interest me at all. We just have to win.”
The Netherlands is looking to return to the World Cup final after losing to Spain in Johannesburg four years ago.
Dutch captain Van Persie doubt for semifinal
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