Van Persie's best is yet to come

The Dutch striker has saved his best for last and will be ready to shine in the World Cup final against Spain says coach Bert van Marwijk.

Robin van Persie has not clicked like he was expected to in the World Cup.

JOHANNESBURG // Robin van Persie, the Dutch striker, has saved his best for last and will be ready to shine in the World Cup final against Spain, Bert van Marwijk, the coach, said. Van Persie, who is being deployed as a lone front man, has failed to meet expectations, having netted just once while Wesley Sneijder, the Dutch playmaker, is joint-top scorer at the finals with Spain's David Villa, both having struck five goals.

But for Van Marwijk there is no reason to doubt Van Persie's qualities as his form has sharpened during the tournament. "Robin has really improved during the last few matches and I still have a lot of confidence in him," he said yesterday. "I think he will show his best football in the coming match." Van Marwijk has a full squad to choose from for Sunday's final at Soccer City, with all his players fit and Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong, both suspended for the semi-final against Uruguay, also available again. Holland have now won 14 consecutive competitive matches but have still never really produced the trademark entertainment that they are known for.

Van Marwijk says his side can improve, as well. "We've won six in a row in this campaign and also had some phases of good football but sometimes we were too sloppy ? when we didn't reward a good fluent attack with a goal," he said. * Reuters