Football
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Robin van Persie says Netherlands' Euro situation 'terrible'

Netherlands striker Robin van Persie admitted to feeling terrible after Sunday's 3-0 Group A defeat to Turkey, but vowed to ensure victory in their final two games.

Realistically, the Dutch not only need to win their games against bottom-side Kazakhstan and table-toppers the Czech Republic, they also hope that other results go their way.

Overall, their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign has not at all gone to plan -- four defeats in eight -- with new coach Danny Blind's first game resulting in a 1-0 defeat to Iceland last Thursday.

On Sunday, Arda Turan inspired the Turks in his 57-minute spell on the field. A first-half blitz saw him set up a goal for Oguzhan Ozyakup and score one himself.

A disappointed Van Persie, speaking to Dutch outlet NOS after the game, said qualification was no longer in the team's hands and added: "It's terrible. I think that's really awful.

"This whole qualification scenario looks very difficult, but we still have opportunities. We need to continue until the end anyway and win the last two games.''

Burak Yilmaz rounded off the victory for Turkey with the third goal five minutes from time, with Van Persie, who had linked up well with the likes of Memphis Depay and Wesley Sneijder, saying: "Does this hurt? I guess you could say so, yes.

"In the first half we had control despite the two unfortunate moments. We were good on the ball and created chances.''

Daley Blind was the guilty man for Turkey's second goal, as he had failed to control a throw-in before Arda managed to muscle himself through and slot past Jasper Cillessen.

The Manchester United player's father and coach Danny said: "We sell ourselves short by giving goals away so easily.

"At the wrong times, in the early stages, we made mistakes. I had hoped that we would be better on the day.''

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