World Cup: Van Persie major worry for Netherlands ahead of Argentina clash

Van Persie has been instrumental in Holland’s run to the last four of the tournament, but he had to train separately from his team-mates on Tuesday after complaining of a stomach problem.

Coach Louis van Gaal confirmed on the eve of the game in Sao Paulo that his star striker, who has scored three goals in Brazil, is a serious doubt for the last-four clash.

“He has a stomach problem, an intestinal problem. I don’t know (if he will play),” Van Gaal told a press conference.

“I will decide (on Wednesday).

“Van Persie is our captain so he is very important to us.

“In principle my captain always plays, but he has to be fit.”

There was some good news for the Holland coach on Tuesday as injury doubts Ron Vlaar and Leroy Fer took part in training.

In an interesting development, midfielder Nigel de Jong was also involved even though he had been expected to miss the rest of the World Cup after suffering a groin injury in the group stage win over Mexico.

“If his reaction is good and he can play, then the miracle can come true,” Van Gaal said.

But even if De Jong makes a shock return to the XI for the Argentina match, it will mean nothing if Van Persie is ruled out.

Holland have relied heavily on the Manchester United striker, and fellow star Arjen Robben, in Brazil.

Both players scored in the penalty shoot-out win over Costa Rica which sent the Dutch through to their second successive World Cup semi-final.

That match was a draining affair as Holland battered the Costa Rica goal, but they could not beat Keylor Navas inside 120 minutes.

Van Gaal thinks his players will have recovered their fitness by the time they face Alejandro Sabella’s team.

“In general I give the players two days to recover, so if you have one day less it’s an issue, a problem,” Van Gaal said. “But a top athlete can perform so my players will be in shape.”

Although Argentina are yet to hit peak form in Brazil, they are the bookmakers’ favourites for the match at the Arena Corinthians and go on to face Germany in Sunday’s final.

Van Gaal believes there is nothing between the two sides though.

“I don’t think there is a favourite,” the Manchester United manager in waiting said.

“The countries are at the same level. It’s a 50-50 match and we have to be a bit lucky too.”

Key to Holland’s chances of making the final will be how they deal with the threat posed by Lionel Messi, who has finally transferred his domestic form with Barcelona onto the international stage.

“He has been voted the world’s best player before and you don’t get that for nothing,” Van Gaal added. “He has always found it hard to show his form at international level.

“He wants to do it at this tournament and we want to stop him.

“That will be a challenge.”

Messi believes winning the World Cup with Argentina would be the greatest achievement of his glittering career.

Messi’s trophy cabinet is packed with awards. He has won six Spanish league titles with Barcelona, three Champions Leagues and he has been awarded the Ballon d’Or on three occasions.

But one accolade is missing - the World Cup. Four years ago, many of Messi’s Barcelona team-mates returned to Catalonia with a World Cup winners’ medals and now he wants one of his own.

“As a player winning a World Cup is the best there is,” the Argentina captain said.

“It’s something you dream about when you are a kid and it never disappears.

“I have asked my Barcelona team-mates Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta and (Gerard) Pique what it is like to lift the trophy, and they couldn’t explain.

“We will do everything to make this dream a reality.

“To play a World Cup final with the great atmosphere of the Maracana is something what every player dreams of, but first we have to make sure we get there.”