Friday, 9 October 2015

#Euro2016 Qualifiers:-: Kazakhstan v Netherlands: Van Persie not giving up Euro 2016 hope


Robin van Persie remains confident Netherlands can
still qualify for Euro 2016 as he is set to win his 100th
cap against Kazakhstan.

Robin van Persie remains hopeful Netherlands can qualify for
Euro 2016 heading into Saturday's away game against
Kazakhstan.

The Dutch sit fourth in Group A with 10 points from eight games
and desperately need a win in Astana at the weekend.

Additionally, they need third-placed Turkey to slip up in their
remaining two fixtures - and Van Persie is confident that is
exactly what will happen.

"Don't ask me why, but I believe Turkey will definitely spill
points in their last two games," Van Persie told De Telegraaf.

"The Turkish players at Fenerbahce are all confident they will
progress, but I have no doubt they will slip up.

"It is now up to us to ensure we bag the full three points in both
of our last two games. That is all that matters. It is not
important how we win, so long as we win."

Van Persie will become Netherlands' eighth centurion if he
features against Kazakhstan, but the former Manchester United
man is not in a celebratory mood just yet.

"I had different circumstances in mind for such a milestone," he
said.

"I am only thinking about one thing and that is winning
Saturday's match."

However, Netherlands coach Danny Blind will have to make do
without star player Arjen Robben due to injury, while Quincy
Promes, Davy Klaassen, Daryl Janmaat, Stefan de Vrij and
Luuk de Jong are all unavailable due to physical issues.

The Dutch have faced Kazakhstan just once before, recording a
hard-fought 3-1 win in Amsterdam in October 2014.

Kazakhstan, meanwhile, still await their first win in Group A and
sit rock bottom in their section with just two points from eight
games.

They will be high on confidence after holding Iceland to a
scoreless draw last month, however, and will be hoping for more
against Netherlands.

Much will depend on the form of star attacker Sergei
Khizhnichenko.

The 24-year-old sits joint fifth in his country's all-time
goalscoring charts with six goals in 32 appearances and seems
destined to overtake Ruslan Baltiev in the long term if he can
end his recent goalscoring drought for the national team.

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