Injured Robinho to miss Ghana match

Injured Robinho to miss Ghana match   

 

Associated Press

 

BERGISCH GLADBACH, Germany -- Robinho will not play for Brazil against Ghana in the second round of the World Cup because of a muscle injury.

 

The striker, who had medial tests in Cologne, is not seriously injured but will not be fit to face Ghana on Tuesday, the Brazilian Soccer Confederation said Monday.

 

"It was a small problem. I`ll continue treatment and, God willing, I will be available for next Saturday`s match if Brazil gets past Ghana," Robinho said.

 

The striker, who started in Brazil`s 4-1 win over Japan, was not expected to travel with the rest of the squad to Dortmund for the match against Ghana. He was likely to stay at the team`s hotel undergoing treatment.

 

"Everyone is relieved that it wasn`t anything more serious," CBF spokesman Rodrigo Paiva said.

 

Brazil doctor Jose Luiz Runco had said the full extent of the striker`s injury would not be known until after an MRI was conducted on Monday.

 

It wasn`t immediately clear how many days Robinho would be sidelined because of the injury. Robinho and Runco were expected to talk to the media later on Monday.

 

Robinho hasn`t practiced since the right-thigh injury occurred after a shot on goal at the end of Brazil`s training session Saturday.

 

Robinho put his hand on the leg immediately after and did not continue playing. He met with Brazil`s doctors on the sideline and was escorted to the locker room.

 

After playing well against Japan, the 23-year-old Robinho was hoping to get another chance in the match against Ghana.

 

He replaced regular starter Adriano against Japan after coach Carlos Alberto Parreira decided to rest some of the regular starters and give more playing time to some of the reserves.

 

Many in Brazil have been calling for Robinho to be included in the team`s starting lineup in all matches.

 

Robinho, playing in his first World Cup, was a starter when Brazil won last year`s Confederations Cup, helping the team win the title and earning praise from Parreira.

 

Robinho has six goals in 23 matches with Brazil. He led Santos to two Brazilian league titles before going to Real Madrid in 2005 in a deal reportedly worth €30 million.