HOLLAND coach Bert van Marwijk has dismissed suggestions there is a problem between him and striker Robin van Persie ahead of the international friendly against Australia on Saturday.
Van Marwijk frequently clashed with Van Persie when he was Feyenoord coach during the early days of the 25-year-old's career, and in 2003 sent him home from the UEFA Super Cup final because of poor body language.
During the 2002/03 season Van Persie was dropped to the reserves on several occasions and disciplinary problems led to him being sold to Arsenal in 2004.
However, there is no longer an issue according to Van Marwijk, who said: "We have not talked about it because it isn't relevant now.
"I don't want to deal with negative stuff, that's a waste of energy. We have one common goal now.
"I have to be very positive about Robin. He has developed well at Arsenal and has not only grown as a player but has also become taller.
"He is extremely strong and can play fantastically. The mistakes he made when he was younger, he makes less and less. He is becoming more and more important."
Van Marwijk is expected to name the same team which played Russia last month and hopes to instil in his players the need to win without always playing well.
"We know we can play well, but we have to learn to win well," he added.
"We Dutch are a creative and bold people. A certain amount of arrogance in our game makes us strong but it also causes us to be careless and vulnerable.
"This is no time to experiment. It will not be easy but it is my job to stabilise the national squad in the football that we play."
Holland face Macedonia in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.
Australia have some injury concerns to key players heading into the match, which is being used as a warm-up ahead of their Asian World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan on Thursday.
Central defender Matthew Spiranovic has been ruled out, while Mark Milligan and Vincenzo Grella are doubtful, after being unable to complete training on Thursday.
While three players have fitness concerns, attacker Harry Kewell is finally fit and eagerly awaiting the next phase of Australia's World Cup campaign.
The match against Uzbekistan is the first of eight games in the fourth-round of qualification and Kewell believes the match against the Dutch will be the perfect way to prepare.
"It's an important match for us," Kewell said. "Obviously the Dutch are a good team.
"We are going out there to win the game and I'm sure the Dutch are going to do the same."
During the 2002/03 season Van Persie was dropped to the reserves on several occasions and disciplinary problems led to him being sold to Arsenal in 2004.
However, there is no longer an issue according to Van Marwijk, who said: "We have not talked about it because it isn't relevant now.
"I don't want to deal with negative stuff, that's a waste of energy. We have one common goal now.
"I have to be very positive about Robin. He has developed well at Arsenal and has not only grown as a player but has also become taller.
"He is extremely strong and can play fantastically. The mistakes he made when he was younger, he makes less and less. He is becoming more and more important."
Van Marwijk is expected to name the same team which played Russia last month and hopes to instil in his players the need to win without always playing well.
"We know we can play well, but we have to learn to win well," he added.
"We Dutch are a creative and bold people. A certain amount of arrogance in our game makes us strong but it also causes us to be careless and vulnerable.
"This is no time to experiment. It will not be easy but it is my job to stabilise the national squad in the football that we play."
Holland face Macedonia in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.
Australia have some injury concerns to key players heading into the match, which is being used as a warm-up ahead of their Asian World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan on Thursday.
Central defender Matthew Spiranovic has been ruled out, while Mark Milligan and Vincenzo Grella are doubtful, after being unable to complete training on Thursday.
While three players have fitness concerns, attacker Harry Kewell is finally fit and eagerly awaiting the next phase of Australia's World Cup campaign.
The match against Uzbekistan is the first of eight games in the fourth-round of qualification and Kewell believes the match against the Dutch will be the perfect way to prepare.
"It's an important match for us," Kewell said. "Obviously the Dutch are a good team.
"We are going out there to win the game and I'm sure the Dutch are going to do the same."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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