Afellay praises van Persie partnership

Ibrahim Afellay said his on-field relationship with Robin van Persie was an asset of the Dutch side heading into Euro 2012.

The Barcelona winger, who found van Persie for the first goal of their 6-0 rout of Northern Ireland in a friendly on Saturday, spoke of his very good understanding with the Arsenal striker, both on and off the pitch.

“That has been true since we first played together. I felt the ‘click’. That’s what we call ‘football language’,” Afellay told ANP.

Against Northern Ireland, winger Afellay scored two goals and also provided two assists, having played fantastically on the left side of midfield.

“From the left I can cut inside and outside again. The opponent doesn’t know what I’ll do next,” the former PSV man said.

“The important thing is to have confidence in yourself and trust the people with whom you work daily.”

Although Afellay missed most of the 2011-2012 season at the Blaugrana because of injury, he hopes to get a starting spot against Denmark this Saturday.

“It happens in football, I don’t look at it (the injury) anymore. It’s good that I can be on the pitch again. I enjoy every moment of it,” he said.

Netherlands will begin their Euro 2012 campaign against Denmark on June 9.