Rio kitesurfer clonks Dutch pair

Jun 10, 2014 - 2:42 AM Dutch skipper Robin van Persie and team-mate Jaryl Janmaat have taken a knock in unusual circumstances when a kitesurfer bumped into them on a Rio beach.

Van Persie and Janmaat were both enjoying some beach time when the surfer all but knocked them down on Monday, the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) said, while indicating neither player was hurt.

"There is no reason for concern. It's nothing serious, just a few scratches," a KNVB spokesman said.

Manchester United forward van Persie had arrived in Brazil at the weekend as a fitness worry after sustaining a groin problem in last week's friendly win over Wales in Amsterdam.

Van Persie and Janmaat, both set to start in the Dutch opener against Spain in a re-run of the 2010 final on Friday in Salvador, were walking along Ipanema beach taking in the pre-tournament atmosphere when the kitesurfer appeared.

"He passed right by my head," Janmaat told reporters from broadcaster NOS, adding the players had had a fright but were not hurt.

Source: AAP