Robin Van Persie Commits Future to Netherlands After Own Goal, Euro 2016 Failure

Robin van Persie will not be announcing his retirement from international football despite the Netherlands' humiliating failure to qualify for Euro 2016, insisting he'll stick with his nation through thick and thin.

The Fenerbahce frontman scored a calamitous own goal on Tuesday as the Oranje fell to the Czech Republic 3-2 and finished fourth in their qualifying group, but Van Persie told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf he won't call it quits (h/t Sky Sports):

"

I'm not one to run away from difficult situations. As I see it now, I will just stay available. It is still an honour to play for the Oranje in good but also in bad times. 

I'm not someone who runs away in difficult situations from his responsibilities. Giving up is not an option but it is, of course, dependent on whether I am called. 

My heart cries as a sportsman. This entire qualifying series followed a doomsday scenario. It was terrible. Yet we must remain positive despite this very difficult situation. It will be a long, painful way up, but we will have to climb out of this situation.

"

Former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Van Persie celebrated his 100th international cap in the 2-1 win over Kazakhstan last Saturday and is seemingly in a natural decline.

Now 32 years of age, the veteran will be close to 35 by the time the Netherlands head to the 2018 World Cup—if they qualify—and undoubtedly far past his playing peak.

But despite the apparent lack silverware targets in sight, Van Persie appears eager to once again realise the kind of success that saw the Netherlands' take a third-place finish at last year's World Cup.

Ex-Oranje midfielder Bolo Zenden has been quoted by BBC Radio 5 Live, noting Van Persie's comical own goal on Tuesday in some ways summarises the disastrous nature of an error-ridden qualification campaign:

It wasn't even close in the end, either, as Danny Blind—who only recently took over from departed manager Guus Hiddink—saw his side finish fourth in Group A, a massive five points off Turkey in third spot.

Van Persie was stripped of the national team's captaincy earlier this year, but his selection is in serious doubt after Sky Sports Statto depicted just how shy of goals the once ferocious hitman has been of late:

His club form remains more positive after bagging three goals in three Super Lig starts for Fenerbahce, but the temptation for any manager may be to invest in developing youth at this point in time.

Of course, missing out on Euro 2016 is a crime by the Netherlands' lofty standards, but with no major tournament now on the line, now is the ideal opportunity to experiment—even if not by their own choosing.

Peter Dejong/Associated Press

One can empathise with Van Persie for not wanting to end his international days on the lowest of lows, with the Netherlands having failed to qualify for the European Championships for the first time since 1984.

Whether he chooses to or not, however, it will be up to his selectors just how far Van Persie's Netherlands career lives on as the national team faces a crossroads.