Prior to the Netherland's World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday, Robin van Persie is still waiting for his first goal in a knockout match at a major international tournament.
The Manchester United striker's flying header against Spain helped set the tone for a group-phase of joyous football, but since then -- and in keeping with the tournament as a whole -- the goals have gradually dried up.
Having claimed two goals in the 5-1 rout of Spain, he netted in the 3-2 win over Australia, but has since gone 225 minutes without scoring.
Suspended against Chile, he was substituted in the 76th minute against Mexico and had to watch from the bench as his replacement, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, scored the injury-time penalty that sent Holland through.
Against Costa Rica in the quarter-finals, he was unable to convert a string of chances, notably seeing an injury-time shot blocked on the line by Yeltsin Tejeda, before scoring in the penalty shootout.
The 30-year-old spoke openly of his desire to become the tournament's top scorer after his first two appearances, but with two games remaining, he trails Colombia's James Rodriguez by three goals in the race for the Golden Boot.
As things stand, the former Arsenal forward appears destined to pursue a pattern that has seen him score all his major tournament goals in the group phase.
At each of his previous World Cups, in 2006 and 2010, he scored only once in the first round, failing to add to his tally in South Africa four years ago despite starting every game as Holland reached the final.
'Don't need the limelight'
At the 2008 European Championship he scored two group-stage goals, only for Holland to lose to Russia in the quarter-finals, while at Euro 2012 he found the net only once as his side fell at the first hurdle.
It was doubtless with these disappointments in mind that he announced on the eve of Holland's departure for Brazil: "This World Cup is not about Robin van Persie.
"It is about our team doing well," he added. "I love a big tournament, but I don't need to have the limelight."
Van Persie's preparations for the tournament were complicated by the fact he spent six weeks on the sidelines after spraining his knee against Olympiakos in the Champions League in late March.
He made only one start for United before the end of the season and was used sparingly in Holland's warm-up games, scoring twice -- against Ecuador and Ghana -- but being removed early in all three matches.
Dutch coach Louis van Gaal has continued to exercise caution in Brazil, substituting Van Persie in his three first appearances, but in keeping with the nascent spirit of harmony within the squad, the captain has accepted his lot.
"We're a squad of 23 players," Van Persie said. "The atmosphere is excellent. I don't have anything at all to complain about."
Van Persie's excellent relationship with Van Gaal, who takes over at United after the World Cup, means he has less reason to fear for his place in the team than another goal-shy striker might.
But while Argentina's commitment to going forward means that he should have more room to manouevre than against the deep-lying Costa Ricans, he is running out of opportunities to truly leave his mark on the tournament.
AFP
Tue Jul 08 2014
FLY: Robin van Persies flying goal in the Netherlands 5-1 win over Spain - File pic
Bangladesh buka semula sekolah walaupun cuaca masih panas
Pelajar kembali ke sekolah di seluruh Bangladesh walaupun negara itu dilanda gelombang panas berlarutan yang mendorong pembelajaran secara bersemuka ditangguhkan, hujung minggu lalu.
Filipina tangguh kelas secara bersemuka kerana cuaca panas
Filipina menangguhkan kelas bersemuka di semua sekolah kerajaan selama dua hari, susulan cuaca panas melampau dan mogok oleh pemandu jeepney atau bas mini di seluruh negara.
Puting beliung landa bandar Guangzhou
Puting beliung melanda bandar Guangzhou di selatan China dan mengorbankan lima nyawa dan 33 lagi cedera.
Menurut laporan CCTV, puting beliuang itu melanda daerah Baiyun di Guangzhou pada petang Sabtu.
Menurut laporan CCTV, puting beliuang itu melanda daerah Baiyun di Guangzhou pada petang Sabtu.
Tak dapat jadi TPM, Menteri Luar Thailand letak jawatan
Menteri Luar Thailand, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara meletak jawatan secara mengejut hari ini, selepas tidak dinamakan sebagai timbalan perdana menteri dalam rombakan Kabinet.
20 tentera maut, gudang peluru di Kemboja meletup
Sebuah gudang peluru tentera meletup pada Sabtu membunuh sekurang-kurangnya 20 tentera dan mencederakan beberapa yang lain di tengah Kemboja.
Tumpuan Isnin - 29 April 2024
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan di Astro AWANI.
Jadikan ASEAN sebagai pusat pertumbuhan utama- Pakar
ASEAN mempunyai potensi untuk menjadi pusat pertumbuhan ekonomi yang kukuh, inklusif dan mampan.
Menurut penganalisis ekonomi, Fithra Faisal, negara-negara besar khususnya harus tundukkan 'ego' mereka dan bekerja bersama dengan anggota ASEAN untuk memperkukuhkan lagi ekonomi negara.
Menurut penganalisis ekonomi, Fithra Faisal, negara-negara besar khususnya harus tundukkan 'ego' mereka dan bekerja bersama dengan anggota ASEAN untuk memperkukuhkan lagi ekonomi negara.
Bill Gates sambut baik dana $500 juta dari Arab Saudi
Pengasas Microsoft, Bill Gates mengalu-alukan bantuan $500 juta dolar dari Arab Saudi dalam usaha memerangi penyakit polio bagi tempoh lima tahun akan datang.
Hanya US boleh halang Israel terus serang Rafah- Mahmoud Abbas
Rafah menjadi tempat lebih sejuta rakyat Palestin berlindung daripada serangan berterusan Israel, sejak tujuh bulan lalu.
Anwar tekan kepentingan sokong pengiktirafan negara Palestin di PBB
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menekankan kepentingan menyokong pengiktirafan negara Palestin di Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) ketika bertemu rakan sejawatnya dari Jordan, Bisher Hani Al-Khasawneh, di luar mesyuarat khas Forum Ekonomi Sedunia (WEF) di Riyadh Arab Saudi pada Ahad.
COVID-19: Belanda lanjut tempoh sekatan hingga 20 April
Perintah berkurung akan dilaksanakan dari 10 malam hingga 4.30 pagi bermula 31 Mac.
AS sekat import minyak sawit FGV? Tidak beri impak signifikan kepada industri Malaysia
India dan China masih lagi menjadi pengimport terbesar minyak kelapa sawit dengan 200,000 hingga 300,000 sebulan.
MH17: Pihak pembelaan dibenar siasat mungkin ada penjelasan lain pesawat ditembak jatuh
Mahkamah membenarkan permohonan daripada peguam bela suspek, Oleg Pulatov untuk satu siasatan bagi mendapatkan penerangan daripada lebih ramai saksi.
PKP: Panduan pembelajaran komprehensif perlu dibekalkan kepada ibu bapa
Sebanyak 48 peratus pelajar di negara ini tidak mempunyai akses komputer di rumah untuk tujuan pembelajaran.
COVID-19: Angka korban hampiri 3,500, jumlah jangkitan melebihi 100,000
Negara yang mempunyai bilangan mangsa paling tinggi setakat ini ialah Korea Utara, Itali, Iran dan juga China.
Masa terbaik perkemas pasak ekonomi
Apa yang perlu dilakukan oleh Malaysia bagi memperkemas pasak ekonominya?
COVID-19: Enam penumpang kapal persiaran disahkan negatif, dibenarkan pulang
Enam penumpang kapal persiaran mewah MS Westerdam yang terdiri daripada empat warga Amerika Syarikat dan dua warga Netherlands disahkan negatif COVID-19.
Tiga cedera dalam insiden tikaman di The Hague
Seorang jurucakap polis Belanda berkata, terlalu awal untuk mengenal pasti motif serangan di The Hague itu.
Berzat tinggi, kenapa tidak didik rakyat Malaysia makan kelapa sawit? - Pakar ekonomi
Sudah tiba masanya untuk Malaysia bertindak bagi menangkis serangan terhadap industri kelapa sawit negara susulan keputusan Parlimen Eropah di Strasbourg, Perancis.
Debar sepak mula makin terasa, semangat #webelangtogether kian membara
Penyokong Malaysia dan Thailand mula membanjiri Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil bagi menyaksikan pertemuan separuh akhir pertama Kejohanan Bola Sepak Piala AFF Suzuki 2018 malam ini.