Ballack out of World Cup opener
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-08 16:33
BERLIN, June 8 - Germany captain Michael Ballack will miss Friday's World Cup
opening match against Costa Rica because of a calf injury, coach Juergen
Klinsmann told a news conference on Thursday.
"We'll leave him on the sidelines for this game and have him fit for the next
one," Klinsmann said.
Ballack, who also missed the final match of the last World Cup because of
suspension, suffered a slight strain to his right calf during Germany's 3-0 win
over Colombia in a warm-up match on June 2.
The 29-year-old midfielder did not believe it to be serious at the time and
alarm bells only started ringing when he was unable to train with the squad on
Monday.
He did return to full training on Wednesday but had to drop out after just 30
minutes.
"The important thing now is to look ahead," Klinsmann said. "We want a fully
fit Michael Ballack, not a 50 percent player. Fingers crossed he'll be back
training soon."
Germany's second Group A game is against Poland in Dortmund on June 14. They
wrap up the opening phase with a match against Ecuador in Berlin on June 20.
Klinsmann said Ballack would be replaced in the opening game either by Tim
Borowski or the more defensive Sebastian Kehl.
|
