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Player of the Week - Robin van Persie

Player of the Week - Robin van Persie

Will van Persie win the Golden Boot?

The Netherlands started their World Cup campaign with a fantastic victory against World Champions Spain. The Dutch team won 5-1, with 2 goals from Manchester United striker, Robin van Persie, and 2 more from Bayern Munich forward, Arjen Robben. Van Persie and Robben were the best players on the pitch and van Persie scored an amazing diving header to get the Netherlands back into the match just before half-time. In the second half, Spain had no answer to the attacking play of the Dutch, who finished as convincing winners. The Netherlands took revenge for their defeat in the 2010 World Cup Final and will be looking to progress to the final in Brazil. The Netherlands appear to be one of the strongest teams in the tournament and with van Persie finding the back of the net on a regular basis, they could reach their second consecutive final.

What do we know about Robin van Persie?

Van Persie in the famous orange of the Netherlands, Getty.Robin van Persie was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands on 6 August 1983. Both of his parents are artists, and when he was young he was encouraged to follow the same activity. However, he is not an artist in the traditional sense of the word: “I don't see things the way my parents do. They can look at a tree and see something amazing, but I just see a tree.” His art happens on the football pitch. “I think there is a creative connection with my parents. But I think football is where my creativity comes out.” As a youngster, the attraction of football was stronger and he started playing for local club SBV Excelsior when he was 14.

Who does van Persie listen to?

Van Persie began his senior career in 2001 with Rotterdam club Feyenoord and stayed there for three years, winning the UEFA Cup in 2002. His first English club was Arsenal, who paid Feyenoord £2.75m for him in 2004 – a bargain! Another excellent Dutch striker was already playing for the Gunners: Dennis Bergkamp. Robin spent eight good years at the London club, but moved north to Manchester United for a fee of £22.5m in August 2012. "I always listen to the little boy inside of me in these situations,” he said, “when you have to make the harder decisions in life. That boy was screaming for Man United."

Why did van Persie leave Arsenal?

Van Persie plays his club football for Man Utd, Getty.One of the reasons Robin van Persie left Arsenal to join Manchester United was a hunger for trophies, a hunger that was not being satisfied at the London club. In his eight years there he won just one significant trophy – the FA Cup in 2005. Arsenal drew the Final 0-0 with United, but won 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out, in which van Persie scored. He was Arsenal Player of the Year twice (2008/09 and 2011/12) and won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award at United in his first season at Old Trafford. He got his wish for a major trophy in the same year when United won the Premier League.

What do others say about van Persie?

Arsenal manager Arséne Wenger moved van Persie from the left wing to a more central role: “He has a brain. His movement is intelligent around the box.” Former Manchester United and Holland striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy said: “He can play the No. 9 and No. 10 roles together. He puts the goals in and provides a lot.” His former manager at United, Sir Alex Ferguson, says: “His authority, timing and understanding of the game is complete.” Argentinian star Leonel Messi agrees: “Van Persie is the complete player. He has the entire package.” And according to Swansea’s Spanish striker Michu: “For me, to be honest, he is the best striker in the world.”

Which other Dutch players have starred in the Premier League?

A lot of excellent Dutch players have represented clubs in the Premier League, including Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal, 1995/2006), Ruud Gullit (Chelsea, 1995/98), Edgar Davids (Tottenham Hotspur, 2005/07), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United, 2001/06) and Arjen Robben (Chelsea, 2004/07). And a number are playing in the top division now, including Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Jos Hooiveld (Southampton), and Vurnon Anita and Tim Krul (Newcastle United). And of course, Robin van Persie. He has made around 80 appearances for the Dutch national team, scoring over 45 goals, and has recently been made captain. Holland have qualified for the 2014 World Cup, which will be their tenth.

Van Persie and Robben celebrate the Netherlands' win against Spain, Getty.

What did you understand?

 
How much did you understand?
Activity 1: In this activity, try to answer the questions to show how much of the article you understand.

 


 

Can you put the words in the right order?
Activity 2: Have a go at this game against the clock. Can you put the words in the right order?

 


 

Did you know......?

  • Robin van Persie grew up supporting Dutch team, Feyenoord.
  • Van Persie was originally a left winger, but converted to a striker.
  • Some of the biggest influences on his career are, Thierry Henry, Dennis Begkamp and Marco van Basten.
  • Van Persie took the number 20 shirt at Manchester United because they were looking for their 20th league title.
  • The Netherlands is the official name of van Persie's country, but is often called Holland, especially in football. North and South Holland are two areas in the Netherlands.
Van Persie will be working with current Dutch manager, Louis van Gaal, next season, Getty.

Quiz

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What do you think?

Is van Persie the key player for the Netherlands?
 
Can van Persie win the Golden Boot at the World Cup?
 
Can the Netherlands win the World Cup?
 
Leave a message in the comments section below.
 
Holland fans think they can win the World Cup, Getty.
 

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Comentários

hsn's picture
hsn
11/01/2023
TR
5560
points

Sentences
• I study PSE lessons on a regular basis.
• Her ambition to promote was not being satisfied in this company.
Football phrase suggestion
• Point Blank (shot or save)--Point-blank occurs when a player is less than five meters away from yourself.


hsn's picture
hsn
11/01/2023 17:06
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5560

Sentences
• I study PSE lessons on a regular basis.
• Her ambition to promote was not being satisfied in this company.
Football phrase suggestion
• Point Blank (shot or save)--Point-blank occurs when a player is less than five meters away from yourself.

Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
02/06/2021
BR
1512
points

He certainlly was! And when he was at disposal to play, he would always be a candidate to win the Golden Boot, as well as Netherlands could won the World Cup.


Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
02/06/2021 21:13
Brazil
Arsenal
1512

He certainlly was! And when he was at disposal to play, he would always be a candidate to win the Golden Boot, as well as Netherlands could won the World Cup.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
19/06/2020
TR
6539
points

Robin Van Persie is an incredible player.
I love him so much.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
19/06/2020 19:11
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

Robin Van Persie is an incredible player.
I love him so much.

quanmessi's picture
quanmessi
22/12/2018
VN
229
points

they can hope again


quanmessi's picture
quanmessi
22/12/2018 08:25
Vietnam
Manchester United
229

they can hope again

quanmessi's picture
quanmessi
02/12/2018
VN
229
points

they can win the world cup 2026 when the other countries'stars are old


quanmessi's picture
quanmessi
02/12/2018 02:19
Vietnam
Manchester United
229

they can win the world cup 2026 when the other countries'stars are old

kirito2001
02/01/2018
VN
180
points

Netherland can win the world cup but not now, because other countries can beat them easy like Brazil.


kirito2001
02/01/2018 14:15
Vietnam
Manchester United
180

Netherland can win the world cup but not now, because other countries can beat them easy like Brazil.

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
09/06/2016
GH
4779
points

It will take long to have another headed goal of that sort


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
09/06/2016 11:12
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

It will take long to have another headed goal of that sort

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
09/06/2016
GH
4779
points

Van persie one of the key players for the Netherlands


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
09/06/2016 11:10
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

Van persie one of the key players for the Netherlands

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
09/06/2016
GH
4779
points

Van persie wasn't able to win the golden boot


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
09/06/2016 11:09
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

Van persie wasn't able to win the golden boot

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
09/06/2016
GH
4779
points

Netherlands couldn't win the cup but they performed really well


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
09/06/2016 11:08
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

Netherlands couldn't win the cup but they performed really well

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
22/03/2016
TR
1761
points

Maybe they could win.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
22/03/2016 23:37
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

Maybe they could win.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
22/03/2016
TR
1761
points

He can't win.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
22/03/2016 23:36
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

He can't win.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
22/03/2016
TR
1761
points

No,he is not key player there are lots of wonderful player in the Netherlands squad.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
22/03/2016 23:36
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

No,he is not key player there are lots of wonderful player in the Netherlands squad.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
27/02/2016
PS
3705
points

No they will not.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
27/02/2016 10:39
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

No they will not.

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
02/12/2015
RW
2320
points

What a goal! It was amazing.


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
02/12/2015 15:30
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

What a goal! It was amazing.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
27/11/2015
ME
3557
points

Netherland is waiting for that trophy for decades. And, they were very close to get it against Spain. But Heitinga was sent off and they could not resist to 'The red fury'. But I think they are capable to do it one day.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
27/11/2015 23:42
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

Netherland is waiting for that trophy for decades. And, they were very close to get it against Spain. But Heitinga was sent off and they could not resist to 'The red fury'. But I think they are capable to do it one day.

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
02/12/2015
RW
2320
points

May be after 20 years! Their team is too old.


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
02/12/2015 15:35
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

May be after 20 years! Their team is too old.

almirpereira's picture
almirpereira
26/10/2015
BR
1339
points

Very good


almirpereira's picture
almirpereira
26/10/2015 17:58
Brazil
Chelsea
1339

Very good

SajidaXI's picture
SajidaXI
20/06/2014
PK
0
points

Flying Goal.. Out standing goal . it was


SajidaXI's picture
SajidaXI
20/06/2014 14:52
Pakistan
Manchester United
0

Flying Goal.. Out standing goal . it was

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
02/12/2015
RW
2320
points

Indeed @SajidaXI


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
02/12/2015 15:40
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

Indeed @SajidaXI

Anec's picture
Anec
18/06/2014
LK
0
points

Awesome goal that was.


Anec's picture
Anec
18/06/2014 18:52
Sri Lanka
Chelsea
0

Awesome goal that was.

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
02/12/2015
RW
2320
points

It was more fantastic!


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
02/12/2015 15:39
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

It was more fantastic!

Elias Noba
17/06/2014
ZA
0
points

Netherlands can win the world cup.


Elias Noba
17/06/2014 14:27
South Africa
Liverpool
0

Netherlands can win the world cup.

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
02/12/2015
RW
2320
points

Oooh they lost


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
02/12/2015 15:33
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

Oooh they lost

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Goals

In this article, you will:

• Practise reading.

• Learn about Dutch star Robin van Persie and learn some new vocabulary.