Jurriën Timber has to leave the Dutch national team shortly before the World Cup because he is not fit. According to the KNVB, the Arsenal defender has “insufficiently recovered” from a groin injury. As a result, he cannot participate in the tournament in a “medically responsible manner”, the association writes in a press release.
The news, which came out shortly before a practice match in New York on Monday afternoon, is a major setback for national coach Ronald Koeman. Timber was the intended starting player, as right central defender next to captain Virgil van Dijk. Timber’s versatility could play a crucial role in Koeman’s tactical plans.
Multi-functional defender Lutsharel Geertruida from Sunderland has been called up as a replacement. He previously trained in Zeist, in case Timber had to drop out. Previously, central defenders Stefan de Vrij and Matthijs de Ligt were injured.
Timber had a groin injury since mid-March. He returned to Arsenal at the end of May, playing for an hour as a substitute in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. He was convincing in that. But last week he was unable to participate every day at a training camp for the Dutch team just north of New York, Koeman said at a press conference on Sunday. It now appears that his recovery is so difficult that he returns home. Jan Paul van Hecke will now most likely play in Timber’s position.
The Dutch team will play the last practice match in the run-up to the World Cup on Monday at 8:45 PM Dutch time in New York. The opponent in the Icahn Stadium is Uzbekistan. The Dutch team will play the first World Cup match against Japan on Sunday, June 14.
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