Robben in doubt for World Cup due to thigh injury

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-06 16:14

Robben in doubt for World Cup due to thigh injury
Arjen Robben of the Netherlands sits on the pitch aided by teammate Ibrahim Afellay after injuring himself during their international friendly soccer match against Hungary in Amsterdam June 5, 2010. [Agencies]

AMSTERDAM - Arjen Robben was in doubt for the World Cup after injuring his left thigh in the Netherlands' 6-1 friendly win over Hungary on Saturday, Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk said.

"Arjen will not take the plane (to Johannesburg) with the team on Saturday night," said van Marwijk, "I'd rather have lost the match than lost Robben."

The coach said that Robben would undergo tests at a Dutch hospital as the star winger sustained "a tear to the left thigh".

Robben hurt himself while attempting a backheel three minutes from the end of the match and had to limp off.

The Bayern Munich winger had missed the Netherlands' two previous warm-up matches, against Mexico and Ghana, due to a hip problem.

The Netherlands begin their World Cup campaign against Denmark on June 14 before tackling Japan on June 19 and Cameroon on June 24.