Robben returns to fitness
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Durban - Netherlands winger Arjen Robben completed a full training session Friday for the first time since recovering from a hamstring injury, but is unlikely to start in his team's World Cup match against Japan.??
Training with the Netherlands squad at a stadium in the hills north of Durban, Robben appeared to have fully recovered after having injured his left hamstring in a warm-up match against Hungary on June 5.
The injury kept him out of the Netherlands' 2-0 victory over Denmark in the teams' World Cup opener. Japan beat Cameroon 1-0 in its first match.
Coach Bert van Marwijk said he is unlikely to play Robben against Japan in the Group E game in Durban.
"He completed a full training session today and that is something," Van Marwijk said. "Of course, he hasn't fully trained with us for a very long time. Today was the first time, so we have to wait for the reaction tomorrow."
Asked if Robben would play against Japan, Van Marwijk said: "Normally, no. But you never know."
Robben was in great form before his injury. He scored crucial goals to help take Bayern Munich to the Champions League final, but couldn't find the net in the final as Inter Milan won 2-0.
He has barely trained with the Netherlands team since the final. He had a hip injury that kept him sidelined until he came on as a substitute in the warm-up match against Hungary in Amsterdam.
He scored twice before attempting a back-heel pass late in the game and falling to the ground clutching his leg just above the knee.
The Netherlands' squad left for South Africa without him shortly after the match. He arrived later after tests had showed the injury wasn't serious enough to rule him out of the World Cup.
Without him, the Netherlands' attack faltered against Denmark, needing an own goal and a late tap in by Dirk Kuyt to grind out victory.
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