Van Persie antics fail to ruffle Dutch Coach van Marwijk

Bert van Marwijk (Photo: Knurftendans)

Dutch Coach Bert van Marwijk insists he is not concerned by striker Robin van Persie’s reaction to being substituted in their second round victory against Slovakia.

The Arsenal striker was replaced by Klass-Jan Huntelaar with ten minutes remaining and the Dutch 2-0 to the good.

“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.”

Robert Vittek converted a penalty with the last kick of the match to give the scoreline some gloss for the Slovak’s but the Netherlands comfortably progressed towards a quarter-final tie with Brazil.

And the 52-year-old coach admitted his men could have been more clinical.

“I think we should have put the match to bed much sooner,” he added.

“We got several chances to net a second goal after the break, but we failed to double our lead.

“Slovakia then took over the initiative and Maarten Stekelenburg pulled us through on a number of occasions.”