NEW YORK — Dutch defender Jurrien Timber has been ruled out of the World Cup due to a groin injury that has limited the 24-year-old Arsenal standout since mid-March. The Netherlands announced the decision Monday, less than 24 hours before their final warm-up match against Uzbekistan.
Timber managed just 55 minutes in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain over a week ago, and the Dutch coaching staff determined that was not enough recovery to risk the tournament. "The 24-year-old defender has not recovered sufficiently from a groin injury to take part in the World Cup in a medically responsible manner," the team said in a statement.
That is the kind of timeline that turns planning into calendar management.
He will leave the national team's pre-camp in New York after the Uzbekistan match. Lutsharel Geertruida, a Sunderland defender who was on Ronald Koeman's standby list, has been called up as his replacement.
The Netherlands will head to base camp in Kansas City, Missouri after Tuesday's game. Their World Cup opener is June 14 against Japan in Dallas, followed by matches against Sweden on June 20 in Houston and Tunisia on June 25 in Kansas City.