THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Veteran Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart will miss the World Cup after injuring a calf muscle in his right leg.
The Dutch soccer association said Wednesday the injury means coach Louis van Gaal will not include the country's most experienced player in his squad for Brazil.
The Hamburg star with 109 international appearances is the second important midfielder to drop out of Louis van Gaal's squad after Kevin Strootman suffered a season-ending knee injury in March.