Netherlands full-back Giovanni van Bronckhorst was furious about the physical approach Australia employed during Sunday's 1-1 draw in Rotterdam.

The Oranje expected the game to be a low-key friendly as the two teams prepared for the World Cup finals, but the Socceroos produced a typically feisty display that led to three Dutch players picking up injuries.

Van Bronckhorst was forced to limp off with an ankle complaint after he was on the wrong end of an uncompromising challenge from Luke Wilkshire, which earned the Australia midfielder a second yellow card.

"I didn't expect that challenge. I do not think he wanted to go for the ball," complained the Barcelona star.

"Luckily for me, the injury is not too bad but if it had have been, I would have missed the World Cup and, in a game like this, I don't think it would have been worth it.

"We knew Australia were a physical team. It is one of their strengths. But I just felt some of their challenges were too hard. After all, we are only one week away from a World Cup."

Phillip Cocu is expected to recover from his thigh problem in time to play in the Netherlands' World Cup opener against Serbia & Montenegro, but medical staff fear Wesley Sneijder's ankle injury is serious.