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Robben named new captain of Dutch national team

Xinhua, August 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

Arjen Robben has been named the new first captain of the Dutch national team by new head coach Danny Blind on Friday.

The 31-year-old Robben succeeds Robin van Persie, who was the first captain since 2013. "I did not make this choice based on football abilities, or based on coaching of other players," Blind explained in a press release by the Dutch football association KNVB.

"They are two different personalities and at this moment I need someone who is more present on the field," Blind added. "I asked Robin to be my vice-captain and he accepted that."

In June 2013 former coach Louis van Gaal replaced Wesley Sneijder as first captain by Van Persie, because Sneijder was not fit enough according to the coach. Van Persie captained the Dutch national team 24 times since, also at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

"I respect the decision by the new head coach to choose a new captain," Van Persie reacted. "We do it together and I will fulfil the role as vice-captain with pride."

Robben was the vice-captain after Van Persie for two years. He had already worn the captain's armband fourteen times in the past in absence of the first choice, but now he is the appointed first captain.

"It's a big honor that the head coach asked me to be the captain," Robben said. "I will do my job with pride and responsibility. But we do it together and have one goal: reaching the European Championships."

This summer Blind succeeded Guus Hiddink as Dutch national team coach. The Netherlands are currently on a disappointing third place in Euro 2016 qualifying Group A, behind Iceland and Czech Republic. Next up are Iceland (September 3, Amsterdam) and Turkey (September 6, Konya).

In his first squad Blind on Friday named two debutants, Ajax defenders Jairo Riedewald (18) en Kenny Tete'(19). Newcastle United midfielder Vurnon Anita returned after five years.

Following is the Dutch squad for Euro 2016 qualifiers against Iceland and Turkey:

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle United), Jeroen Zoet (PSV).

Defenders: Daley Blind (Manchester United), Jeffrey Bruma (PSV), Terence Kongolo (Feyenoord), Bruno Martins Indi (FC Porto), Jairo Riedewald (Ajax), Kenny Tete (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Lazio Roma), Gregory van der Wiel (Paris Saint-Germain).

Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (Stoke City), Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle United).

Forwards: Memphis Depay (Manchester United), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Luciano Narsingh (PSV), Robin van Persie (Fenerbahce), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moskou), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich). Endi