Schaars and de Jong on standby for injury-hit Dutch

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

AMSTERDAM (AFP) — Coach Marco Van Basten called up midfielders Stijn Schaars and Nigel de Jong on standby as the Dutch World Cup squad struggle with an injury crisis.

With chief playmaker Rafael van der Vaart of Hamburg still missing with an injured ankle, van Basten lost four more players during a bruising 1-1 encounter against Australia at the weekend.

Also struggling for fitness are Wesley Sneijder (ankle), Phillip Cocu (thigh), Kew Jaliens (leg) and Giovanni van Bronckhorst (calf).

"At the moment we're not certain if any of these players needs to be replaced. But if unfortunately this is the case it's better that the substitute is available immediately," said a Dutch football federation spokesman.

Van Basten is authorised to replace an injured...