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Dutch captain Robben unavailable for friendlies against France and England

Xinhua, March 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

Arjen Robben withdrew from the forthcoming friendly internationals of the Netherlands against France and England due to a thigh injury, the Dutch football association KNVB announced on Thursday.

"This is obviously a big disappointment," the 32-year-old Netherlands captain stated in a press release. "I wanted to come, because we are in the build-up towards the qualifying campaign for the World Cup in Russia. Now I am going to fully focus on my recovery."

Due to the injury Robben also missed Wednesday's Champions League match of his club Bayern Munich against Juventus. He played his last of only 15 league matches this season for Bayern on March 5 against Borussia Dortmund.

Dutch national team coach Danny Blind will announce his squad on Friday and on Monday the Netherlands, which did not qualify for Euro 2016, will start its preparation for the matches against France on March 25 in Amsterdam and against England on March 29 at Wembley Stadium in London. Endit