Summary Van Gaal preferred veteran midfielder Rafael van der Vaart over Sneijder.
AMSTERDAM (AP) - Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has left playmaker Wesley Sneijder out of his squad for two World Cup qualifiers that could seal his team s place in Brazil.
Van Gaal preferred veteran midfielder Rafael van der Vaart over Sneijder for matches at Estonia on Sept. 6 and at Andorra on Sept. 10. Wins in both games would guarantee the 2010 runners-up a berth in the World Cup in Brazil.
The Dutch have won all six of their qualifiers in Group D and lead second-place Hungary by seven points.
Van Gaal s squad also includes the striking combination of Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben.
