Two-goal Van Persie steers Holland to victory

November 20, 2008

AMSTERDAM (AFP) - Arsenal star Robin van Persie scored twice as Holland beat Sweden 3-1 in a friendly international here on Wednesday.

Bert van Marwijk’s side dominated from the outset with Dirk Kuyt (14), van Persie (16) and Mark van Bommel (27) all coming close before the home side broke the deadlock when Wesley Sneijder’s 32nd-minute cross was headed in by van Persie.

Both sides made changes at the interval but the Dutch weren’t thrown out of their confident stride and three minutes into the second half, van Persie scored from van der Vaart’s perfect cross.

Kim Kallstrom pulled one back for the Swedes after 49 minutes, scoring past debutant goalkeeper Michel Vorm, but the visitors struggled to make further inroads and were clearly missing the cutting edge of the rested Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Liverpool striker Kuyt headed in the third goal for the Dutch in the second minute of injury time.

"I really like Robin van Persie who is growing into a player of the highest quality," said Van Marwijk.

Written by: AFP

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