MX23RW : Friday, November 8 05:50:44| >> :120:43350:43350:

Arjen Robben: 'Better times coming for Netherlands'

Netherlands winger Arjen Robben urges supporters to remain positive as "better times are coming" for the national team, having missed out on successive tournaments.

Arjen Robben has admitted that he is "grateful" for the response from Netherlands supporters after bowing out of international action following the 2-0 win against Sweden.

The Bayern Munich winger confirmed at full time that he is to quit duty with the one-time European champions, marking his last appearance with a couple of goals at the Amsterdam ArenA.

Victory for the Netherlands was not enough to earn a top-two finish in Group A qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, meaning that the Oranje will miss out on successive major finals for the first time in more than three decades.

Asked about the reception he received in Amsterdam, Robben told reporters: "That was wonderful. I'm so grateful. I've played here for 14 years. I've witnessed so many wonderful things. If it's so well appreciated by the Dutch fans, then I can only be grateful.

"If you're at school, children who play football, you give everything to win. If you don't succeed, that's a huge disappointment. Then it's okay to be sad, but better times are coming."

Netherlands finished third in their qualifying group, level on points with Sweden but with an inferior goal difference.

ID:309301: cacheID:309301:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2169:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Netherlands' forward Arjen Robben celebrates after scoring during a Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014
Read Next:
Robben announces international retirement
>
Read more about Arjen Robben Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Bengals
@
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!