Marwijk ‘mystified’ over Robben injury

Holland coach Bert van Marwijk yesterday reacted to criticism from Bayern Munich over Arjen Robben’s injury, insisting that he had been “very careful” with the winger at the World Cup.

Bayern believe Robben could miss the rest of 2010 as he struggles to recover from a thigh problem he picked up playing for his country before the start of the World Cup.

Although he played a major part in the Netherlands’ march to the final he now needs complete rest after aggravating the injury, prompting Bayern president Karl Heinz Rummenigge to demand this week compensation from the Dutch football federation.

Van Marwijk, making his first comment on the issue, told local media: “I’ve heard that Arjen could be out for a long time. That’s a tough blow for him. I am there to support him in this difficult period.

“I can’t comment on the injury, all I can say is that (at the World Cup) we were very careful with him. It’s a big mystery what’s happened to him.”

Robben suffered a left thigh injury in Holland’s final prep match before leaving for South Africa, a 6-1 win over Hungary in Amsterdam on June 5. He had to sit out the Oranje’s first two World Cup games, before entering the World Cup fray and scoring two goals as the Dutch made it to the final where they went down 1-0 to Spain.