Arjen Robben spoke to the NOS’s Bert Maalderink in Munich about returning from a calf injury at Bayern Munich and looked ahead to the World Cup qualifying game against France in Paris on August 31st.

  • By James Rowe
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Netherlands currently sit third in the qualifying group, three points behind both France and Sweden with only four games remaining. The game against France at the end of August is seen as a must not lose if Netherlands are to have any chance of finishing top and automatically qualifying for Russia.

Robben said, ”I have been looking forward to the France v Netherlands game for some time. First and foremost it was important to return to Bayern Munich after my calf injury.

”We know what is coming and I believe that we have a chance against France but we are playing against a team with so much quality that they can call up 3 national teams.

”Dick Advocaat will have a plan for the game against France and no doubt we will speak about that during the weeks training leading up to the game.

On the rumours of possibly retiring from national team duty, Robben said, ”I have not thought about retiring from the Dutch national team. I do not want to look that far ahead and take a decision about it.

”I have always said that I do not want too look to far ahead in my career and I am only focusing on the here and now. We will see what the future brings.”




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