Portugal's Nani out of World Cup
Source: Agencies |
June 9, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
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PORTUGAL winger Nani was ruled out of the World Cup yesterday because of a bruised left collarbone.
The Portuguese football federation said the Manchester United player is unfit to play despite receiving treatment for several days.
The 23-year-old Nani will be replaced by uncapped Benfica winger Ruben Amorim if the federation's request to FIFA is successful.
The announcement came a little more than an hour before Portugal faced Mozambique in a warmup game before its June 15 World Cup opener against Ivory Coast.
The federation didn't say when Nani was injured, but he played the second half and scored in Portugal's 3-1 win over Cameroon in a friendly at home on June 1.
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz will be especially disappointed after Nani had a breakthrough season at United, which narrowly lost the Premier League title to Chelsea.
Nani was the second best scorer in Portugal's World Cup qualifying campaign with three goals. The 23-year-old's absence means Cristiano Ronaldo and Simao Sabrosa will likely occupy Portugal's attacking flanks, with Amorim in reserve.
Queiroz had included Amorim on the squad's standby list. Though Amorim has never appeared for his country, he had a standout season at Benfica. He can also play on the right side of defense.
Also, defender Rafael Marquez trained on Monday with Mexico for the first time since injuring his right leg in last week's 2-1 friendly victory over Italy. It was Mexico's first practice session with every player present since the team arrived in South Africa a few days ago.
Nervous
Federation president Justino Compean said the squad "is nervous but confident" since Mexico has played more warmups than any of the other teams.
Meanwhile, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the South African stadium stampede that left a policeman seriously injured is like a wake-up call to warn World Cup organizers.
Blatter said FIFA regretted Sunday's incident at the warmup match between Nigeria and North Korea, which left 16 people injured outside Makhulong Stadium in the township of Tembisa near Johannesburg.
"I am sure, and you are sure, that this is like an alarm clock and this will not happen at any match at the World Cup," Blatter said.
"The security is always a matter for the state where the sport event is played. The FIFA organization, with all its ramifications, we have no police force. We cannot even take out a spectator from a stadium. We cannot do that. It is not possible."
Blatter also said it was a "good idea" that Brazil recently played a match in Zimbabwe. "We have seen the enthusiasm of the people and how football connected people and that's all," he said.
The Portuguese football federation said the Manchester United player is unfit to play despite receiving treatment for several days.
The 23-year-old Nani will be replaced by uncapped Benfica winger Ruben Amorim if the federation's request to FIFA is successful.
The announcement came a little more than an hour before Portugal faced Mozambique in a warmup game before its June 15 World Cup opener against Ivory Coast.
The federation didn't say when Nani was injured, but he played the second half and scored in Portugal's 3-1 win over Cameroon in a friendly at home on June 1.
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz will be especially disappointed after Nani had a breakthrough season at United, which narrowly lost the Premier League title to Chelsea.
Nani was the second best scorer in Portugal's World Cup qualifying campaign with three goals. The 23-year-old's absence means Cristiano Ronaldo and Simao Sabrosa will likely occupy Portugal's attacking flanks, with Amorim in reserve.
Queiroz had included Amorim on the squad's standby list. Though Amorim has never appeared for his country, he had a standout season at Benfica. He can also play on the right side of defense.
Also, defender Rafael Marquez trained on Monday with Mexico for the first time since injuring his right leg in last week's 2-1 friendly victory over Italy. It was Mexico's first practice session with every player present since the team arrived in South Africa a few days ago.
Nervous
Federation president Justino Compean said the squad "is nervous but confident" since Mexico has played more warmups than any of the other teams.
Meanwhile, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the South African stadium stampede that left a policeman seriously injured is like a wake-up call to warn World Cup organizers.
Blatter said FIFA regretted Sunday's incident at the warmup match between Nigeria and North Korea, which left 16 people injured outside Makhulong Stadium in the township of Tembisa near Johannesburg.
"I am sure, and you are sure, that this is like an alarm clock and this will not happen at any match at the World Cup," Blatter said.
"The security is always a matter for the state where the sport event is played. The FIFA organization, with all its ramifications, we have no police force. We cannot even take out a spectator from a stadium. We cannot do that. It is not possible."
Blatter also said it was a "good idea" that Brazil recently played a match in Zimbabwe. "We have seen the enthusiasm of the people and how football connected people and that's all," he said.
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