Dutch see Seedorf sidelined
Tuesday, June 8, 2004
Article summary
The Netherlands will be without midfield player Clarence Seedorf for their opening match against Germany.
Article body
Hamstring problem
The AC Milan player suffered a hamstring injury in the 1-0 friendly defeat by the Republic of Ireland last Saturday but there had been hope that he would be fit to face the Germans in Porto. However, a subsequent scan has shown that although the hamstring is not torn, it has been damaged enough to keep him out.
No replacement
"He will certainly be out for a week," said Dutch coach Dick Advocaat. The 28-year-old Seedorf will have to rest the injury for the next five days before being able to start running again. Despite the setback, the Netherlands will not send the player home. "We can only call a replacement if a player is so seriously injured that he will have to miss the whole tournament," added Advocaat.
