Van Persie goal has Fifa drooling

Robin van Persie's spectacular headed goal for the Netherlands against world champions Spain has been described as ‘absolutely phenomenal’ by former France manager Gerard Houllier. Houllier, a member of Fifa’s Technical Study Group for the last 20 years, could hardly contain his delight in describing the goal when members of the group briefed reporters at Maracana Stadium in Brazil on Saturday. He said everything about Robin van Persie’s goal against Spain from a technical point of view was at such high level. The way Robin van Persie watched the ball, the way he moved, a diving header but more, Houllier added. Jean-Paul Brigger, the head of the group who was a prolific striker and played 35 times for Switzerland, said the goal was astonishing. ‘It is was what separates the truly great players from the rest of us,’ he said. Van Persie got between defenders Sergio Ramos and Jordi Alba in the 44th minute of the match to meet a searching Daley Blind cross with a powerful header that left goalkeeper Iker Casillas rooted to the spot. ‘Van Persie lifted his head like a seal to give the ball the height and flight to go over Casillas and into the net from 18 yards out. He chose the right thing and it was remarkable,’ the Fifa expert said, according to Reuters.