Eljero Elia made it 3-1 but Samuel Yeboah reduced the deficit again.

CNN: Werder Bremen go clear in Europa Cup group

Van Persie is not the only player carrying an injury to be included in Van Marwijk's squad, with Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt, Mark van Bommel, Khalid Boulahrouz, Wout Brama, Eljero Elia, Theo Janssen and Ruud van Nistelrooy also called up.

BBC: Arsene Wenger surprised at Van Persie Dutch call-up

Hamburg's Eljero Elia came on as a substitute for Van der Vaart and nearly recreated the impression he had from the bench in the Netherlands' first match, cleverly releasing Ibrahim Allelay for a one on one, although his fellow substitute could not add a second with seven minutes remaining as Kawashima smothered his attempt.

BBC: Netherlands 1-0 Japan