Football News : Robben ruled out of Netherlands qualifiers

By ESPNsoccernet staff

Netherlands midfielder Arjen Robben has been ruled out of the country's final two European Championship qualifiers with a groin injury.

GettyImages

Arjen Robben has struggled with injuries

Robben has struggled with injuries over recent years and Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk called his latest setback "a complicated, stubborn injury." He will now return home from the training camp and won't play on Friday against Moldova in Rotterdam or four days later against Sweden in Solna.

The Dutch football association said in a statement: ''Further medical examination on Wednesday revealed that Arjen Robben will not be fit for Oranje's last European Champi onship qualifier against Sweden. It was already noted that the Bayern Munich forward would not play against Moldova. Coach Bert van Marwijk has called no replacement for Robben.''

Playmaker Wesley Sneijder, goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, defender John Heitinga and midfielder Ibrahim Afellay are already on the sidelines for Netherlands, although they have already qualified for Euro 2012 with eight straight wins. One more victory will assure the team of top spot in Group E.