Vincent Janssen spoke to the NOS whilst away on international duty about the need to focus on the upcoming world cup qualification fixture against Sweden. 

  • By James Rowe
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janssen neth poNetherlands face Greece in a friendly on Thursday before traveling to Sweden next week for the beginning of the World Cup qualification campaign. Janssen admitted that it will be a difficult game but the Dutch national team are going to Sweden with full intentions to win their opening World Cup qualifying match.

He said, ”Sweden will be a difficult match and we know what we can do we have played well in our last few friendly games looking ahead to the world cup qualifiers. We will be fully focused against Sweden because we want to qualify for the World Cup in Russia. We have to forget about Euro 2016 and we are really pleased that the World Cup qualifiers are beginning. We intend to win in Sweden.”

Janssen was then asked about the changes in the backroom staff and absence of Klaas jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie, ”We receive information about the comings and goings in the KNVB and the technical staff but we are not thinking about it and we are only focusing on the upcoming international matches. I am pleased to be away on international duty and I am always proud to represent my country. I try to play well and then it up to the manager to pick me.

”For me it does not matter that Robin Van Persie and Klaas Jan Huntelaar are not in this squad because it is up to me to play well and show that I am worthy of a place in the starting lineup. I do not get distracted by comments that potential competitors for my position are not in the squad.

On his start with Tottenham, he added, ”I try to adapt quickly to any new surroundings and in the case of Tottenham Hotspur it was great that I could have a pre-season and that I could settle quickly . Everything was fantastically arranged where I could then focus on English football and the changes from what I was used to and it is going well so far. I have changed as a footballer and I have learnt an awful lot and every match is of a high level which brings me in contention for the national team.”




James Rowe (696 Posts)