World Cup: Dutch star Kevin Strootman to miss final tournament

Mar 11, 2014
World Cup: Dutch star Kevin Strootman to miss final tournament
Netherlands midfielder Kevin Strootman will miss the World Cup after tearing a cruciate ligament in his left knee while playing for club side Roma. The injury happened during his team's defeat at Napoli last weekend. "I can imagine how disappointed he must be," said Dutch head coach Louis Van Gaal. "For the national side it is a huge blow. Kevin made a huge contribution to our qualification, he never let us down and now his dreams have died." Strootman joined Roma for 15 million pounds last summer from PSV Eindhoven. He tried to continue the match after suffering the injury last weekend but he was eventually substituted. A scan was performed on Monday and it revealed that the injury was severe. There is no return date set for the player but he should be out for at least six months. "Tests showed he has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and there could also be damage to the meniscus," said an official club statement. "He will undergo surgery in the next few days." Netherlands head coach Van Gaal had previously said Strootman, captain Robin van Persie and winger Arjen Robben were the only three players guaranteed a place in his World Cup squad. The Dutch will have to face Spain, Australia and Chile in World Cup Group B. Here are the odds to qualify from Group B at Bet365: Spain - 8/11 Netherlands - 5/2 Chile - 4/1 Australia - 33/1
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