Robben ‘still believes’ Dutch can qualify

AFP, THE HAGUE: Netherlands captain Arjen Robben still has hope that the struggling Dutch can reach next year's World Cup, despite their perilous position in qualifying ahead of Saturday's trip to Belarus.

Anything but a win in Barysaw would almost certainly see Dick Advocaat's side miss out on back-to-back major tournaments for the first time since 1986, having failed to qualify for Euro 2016.

The Dutch sit third in Group A, four points adrift of leaders France and three behind second-placed Sweden heading into the penultimate round of matches.

“I still believe,” said Robben. “The history of football has always thrown up big surprises.”

With Sweden hosting lowly Luxembourg, the Netherlands need a victory to set up a likely straight fight for a play-off place against the Scandinavians in Amsterdam on Tuesday.

But even two straight wins might not be enough, with Sweden holding a superior goal difference (+11) to the three-time World Cup runners-up (+5).

Robben still believes Dutch can qualify

AFP, THE HAGUE: Netherlands captain Arjen Robben still has hope that the struggling Dutch can reach next years World Cup, despite their perilous position in qualifying ahead of Saturdays trip to Belarus. Anything but a win in Barysaw would almost certainly see Dick Advocaats side miss out on back-to-back major tournaments for the first time since 1986, having failed to qualify for Euro 2016. The Dutch sit third in Group A, four points adrift of leaders France and three behind second-placed Sweden heading into the penultimate round of matches. I still believe, said Robben. The history of football has always thrown up big surprises. With Sweden hosting lowly Luxembourg, the Netherlands need a victory to set up a likely straight fight for a play-off place against the Scandinavians in Amsterdam on Tuesday. But even two straight wins might not be enough, with Sweden holding a superior goal difference (+11) to the three-time World Cup runners-up (+5).