Robben retires from international football
The 33-year-old signs off by scoring both goals in 2-0 win against Sweden on Tuesday
Netherlands' forward Arjen Robben acknowledges the fans following their FIFA World Cup 2018 football, Group A, qualification match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the Amsterdam Arena in Amsterdam on October 10, 2017. PHOTO: AFP
AMSTERDAM:
Netherlands captain Arjen Robben announced his retirement from international football on Tuesday after his country failed to reach the 2018 World Cup finals despite a 2-0 win over Sweden.
The Bayern Munich star signed off by scoring both goals in Amsterdam as the Dutch fell well short of the unlikely 7-0 win they needed to make the play-offs after a desperately disappointing qualifying campaign.
The 33-year-old Robben scored 37 times in 96 appearances for the Netherlands and helped them reach the 2010 World Cup final where they lost 1-0 to Spain after extra-time.
The Dutch also progressed to the last four at the 2014 finals before losing to Argentina on penalties.
"The man of glass has lasted the longest," said Robben after the match. "I've been thinking about it for a long time. I have already considered it for a while, but then I went on. I wanted to finish this qualification. I'm 33 years old now. I'm playing at a top club in Europe and I want to concentrate on it now. It's also a good time to hand over the baton. I still feel very good and want to be at the top as long as possible."
H added: "I am very proud and honoured at my six tournaments. The most beautiful moments for me were the World Cups of 2010 and 2014, in which we were really a close team and a close group. But there are many beautiful moments, fourteen years is a long time."
Dutch coach Dick Advocaat also paid tribute to the striker, and reveals that he will be missed in the national team. "Arjen was, still is, one of the best players in the world. He'll still do his job at club level.
Netherlands captain Arjen Robben announced his retirement from international football on Tuesday after his country failed to reach the 2018 World Cup finals despite a 2-0 win over Sweden.
The Bayern Munich star signed off by scoring both goals in Amsterdam as the Dutch fell well short of the unlikely 7-0 win they needed to make the play-offs after a desperately disappointing qualifying campaign.
‘Best in history’ Messi leads Argentina to World Cup 2018
The 33-year-old Robben scored 37 times in 96 appearances for the Netherlands and helped them reach the 2010 World Cup final where they lost 1-0 to Spain after extra-time.
The Dutch also progressed to the last four at the 2014 finals before losing to Argentina on penalties.
Mustafi suffers leg injury on Germany duty
"The man of glass has lasted the longest," said Robben after the match. "I've been thinking about it for a long time. I have already considered it for a while, but then I went on. I wanted to finish this qualification. I'm 33 years old now. I'm playing at a top club in Europe and I want to concentrate on it now. It's also a good time to hand over the baton. I still feel very good and want to be at the top as long as possible."
H added: "I am very proud and honoured at my six tournaments. The most beautiful moments for me were the World Cups of 2010 and 2014, in which we were really a close team and a close group. But there are many beautiful moments, fourteen years is a long time."
Dutch coach Dick Advocaat also paid tribute to the striker, and reveals that he will be missed in the national team. "Arjen was, still is, one of the best players in the world. He'll still do his job at club level.