Van Persie injury scare taints Dutch victory

Netherlands register 2-0 win over Wales in World Cup friendly.

AMSTERDAM: Robin van Persie handed the Netherlands a fitness worry ahead of the World Cup after the Manchester United striker picked up a groin problem in Wednesday’s 2-0 friendly win over Wales in Amsterdam.

Van Persie appeared to be in pain and left the pitch at half-time with Dutch coach Louis van Gaal taking no risks over the fitness of his star striker as the 30-year-old was immediately replaced by Jeremain Lens.

However, Van Gaal, whose 23-man squad fly out to Rio de Janiero on Thursday, is hopeful that the problem will be nothing serious.

“It looks a slight injury, but it is not for nothing that you go off,” said the coach.

“He has to wait until the doctor sees him. It was better that you don’t risk a bigger injury by playing him in the second half as it was not the most important match.

“I hope he is okay for [the opening World Cup game on June 13 against] Spain. His action for the assist for the first goal was fantastic.”

In another scare, England winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain faces a nervous World Cup wait for scan results after picking up a knee injury in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Ecuador.

Oxlade-Chamberlain limped off in the 63rd minute of the warm-up friendly when he was kicked during a challenge from Carlos Gruezo, who then tumbled on to him.

Meanwhile, Italy were stunned by a late goal from minnows Luxembourg on Wednesday as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in Perugia in their final friendly before the World Cup.

For Friday’s friendlies, Germany host Armenia in their final World Cup warm-up match before flying to Brazil with question marks over the fitness of captain Philipp Lahm and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, and Japan face Zambia in their final tune-up mach.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2014.

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