Strootman to miss WC qualifiers against Belarus, Sweden
KNVB in a statement confirms 27-year-old will not be able to recover in time from a thigh muscle injury
PHOTO: REUTERS
HAGUE:
Netherlands midfielder Kevin Strootman on Wednesday pulled out of the Dutch squad for their final 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Sweden with a thigh muscle injury.
The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said in a statement that the 27-year-old Roma player "would not be fit in time" for the matches.
Head coach Dick Advocaat has not called up a replacement, as he looks to help the Dutch avoid missing out on back-to-back major tournaments for the first time in 32 years.
The three-time World Cup runners-up are third in Group A of European qualifying, four points adrift of leaders France and three behind second-placed Sweden.
They travel to Belarus on Saturday, before a potential straight fight for a play-off spot with Sweden in Amsterdam on Tuesday.
Netherlands midfielder Kevin Strootman on Wednesday pulled out of the Dutch squad for their final 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Sweden with a thigh muscle injury.
The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said in a statement that the 27-year-old Roma player "would not be fit in time" for the matches.
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Head coach Dick Advocaat has not called up a replacement, as he looks to help the Dutch avoid missing out on back-to-back major tournaments for the first time in 32 years.
The three-time World Cup runners-up are third in Group A of European qualifying, four points adrift of leaders France and three behind second-placed Sweden.
Chile pin hope on Pinilla for World Cup qualifiers
They travel to Belarus on Saturday, before a potential straight fight for a play-off spot with Sweden in Amsterdam on Tuesday.