Netherlands face World Cup blow as Van der Vaart ruled out with injury
The Netherlands have been dealt a significant setback ahead of the 2014 World Cup, with captain Rafael van der Vaart ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
The experienced Hamburg midfielder sustained a thigh injury during a training session in Portugal, forcing him to withdraw from the Dutch squad. This news follows an earlier blow for Dutch football, with Roma’s Kevin Strootman sidelined for much of the season due to injury.
National team coach Louis van Gaal confirmed Van der Vaart’s absence after consulting with the medical staff, leaving the Netherlands to regroup ahead of their preparations in the coming weeks.
The Dutch squad is scheduled to face Ghana in a crucial World Cup warm-up friendly on 31 May in Rotterdam, a match that now takes on added significance as Van Gaal seeks to adjust his team without their influential captain.
The loss of Van der Vaart, known for his creativity and leadership on the pitch, is a major concern for the Dutch as they prepare to compete in a challenging World Cup group featuring Germany, Portugal, Algeria, and the United States.
