Netherlands striker Robin van Persie believes that his side have never had a better chance to win the World Cup as they come up against Slovakia on Monday.

GettyImagesRobin van Persie is congratulated by his team-mates after netting Netherlands' opener against Cameroon.

Bert van Marwijk's side eased into the knockout stages, but the Dutch have struggled to progress much further in previous World Cups - last reaching the final in 1974 and 1978 when they lost.

But Van Persie is confident that the current crop can overcome their issues and mount a serious challenge for the trophy.

"As we go forward, we can meet big, big teams but I'm really positive we can do something with this team," he said. "This is the best team I have played in so far. We have been on a great run in matches and when you look at the level in training, it is unbelievable.

"The level is growing and growing every day. It was good when we got here. But now it is amazing. This is our best chance ever. If you look at the age of our senior players, most of us are 25 or 26.

"In four years' time these players will be 30, which still isn't bad. But that's the future. I sense this is our moment, this is our time."