Netherlands right-back Jeremie Frimpong has left training in tears ahead of their World Cup Round of 16 match against the USA. The Dutch qualified for the knockout stage as Group A winners with a 2-0 win over Qatar on Tuesday.

Louis van Gaal’s men now face Gregg Berhalter’s USA side on Saturday after beating Iran 1-0 to progress as Group B runners-up behind England.

And while the Netherlands will start the match as favourites, they may have to struggle to win without defender Frimpong, 21. The three-time World Cup finalists returned to training on Wednesday as they prepare to play for a place in the quarter-finals.

But the Bayer Leverkusen defender, Frimpong, failed to finish the session. He was filmed sitting on the field and appeared to be crying while covering his face.

A member of staff went to look at his right leg before Frimpong left training ahead of the rest of the squad. A problem for coach Van Gaal, who will only have Denzel Dumfries available for the right wing of the defense.

Frimpong, who was recently linked with a move to Manchester United, is yet to feature at the World Cup having been an inactive substitute in all three group matches.

Van Gaal’s side are looking for an even better run than they managed under the former Manchester United manager in 2014. Eight years ago, they reached the semi-finals before being knocked out on penalties by Argentina.

They then failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament, but have started this year’s edition with wins over Senegal and Qatar and a draw against Ecuador.

Jeremie Frimpong verlaat de training van Oranje vroegtijdig 😕 pic.twitter.com/ChfC0QGZX2

— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) November 30, 2022