ULSAN,
South Korea, June 2 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Brazil's World
Cup plans faced a tough blow Sunday after a freak training ground
accident put their inspirational captain Emerson out of the
tournament.
The
AS Roma midfielder dislocated his right shoulder as he took his turn
as goalkeeper in the final training session before their opening Group
C match against Turkey Monday, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
"The
shoulder is dislocated," said team doctor Carlos Runco.
"This injury takes four weeks to recover so he will not be able
to play any more in this World Cup."
The
Brazilian delegation called up Ricardinho of Sao Paulo-based club
Corinthians as a replacement.
"Ricardinho
should arrive in Ulsan in approximately two days," said spokesman
Rodrigo Paiva.
Under
FIFA regulations, a country can call up an extra player if a squad
member becomes unavailable through injury.
Meanwhile,
26-year-old Ricardinho was planning to fly from Brazil Sunday.
"I
am ready for the trip and for the World Cup. When I heard the news
that I was going I was very happy. This is a dream for me, but the
dream can only be completed by Brazil winning the World Cup," he
said.
"The
important thing for me is to help the team as best as I can and help
the team win the trophy.
"It
is very sad what has happened to Emerson and that he will be out for
four weeks. He is a great professional."
Ricardinho
played three times for the national team against Colombia and Chile in
2000 and Peru in 2001, but this is the first time he was called up by
Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Despite
the injury to Emerson, the Brazilian players remained upbeat.
"I
don't think people here are confident of our success, but we are
great," said free-kick specialist Carlos. "We've won the
World Cup several times and we will take it once more."
Star
striker Ronaldo, who admits he is still not 100 percent recovered from
the knee problems that have hampered his career, was similarly upbeat.
"We
are in the best condition and our skills have improved a lot,"
said Ronaldo.
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Tragic departure, before the
kick-off |
Speculation
had earlier centered on discarded great Romario as a potential
replacement as his exclusion from the squad had caused uproar in
Brazil.
Emerson,
who played 44 times for Brazil and scored five goals, hurt the
shoulder when he dived to the right just minutes into the training
session at the Ulsan Munsu Stadium.
He
stayed down for a full five minutes, surrounded by his teammates,
before he was helped up. He lingered on the sidelines for several
minutes before leaving the field, taking no further part in the
session.
Emerson,
26, later left for the team hotel with his arm in a sling.
"When
Emerson fell we didn't immediately think it was serious, but he stayed
on the floor and we knew something had happened," said Carlos.
Rivaldo
said Emerson's inexperience as a goalkeeper contributed to the injury.
"I shot on goal and I think Emerson had a problem because he is
not a goalkeeper. He doesn't know how to fall on the floor, that's why
he injured the shoulder," he said.
Ironically,
Emerson had warned before their final warm-up game in Malaysia last
month that fitness and injuries could prove to be the decisive factor
in the World Cup.
A
tough-tackling player, Emerson spent most of his career in his
homeland with Gremio and then in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, before
his big-money move to Roma for the 2000-2001 season.
He
is considered an important influence in the Italian team, providing
the platform for the likes of Francesco Totti to show off their skills
further forward, and is held in high regard by Scolari.
His
departure leaves Scolari with a major headache. Emerson added
leadership and strength in midfield.
It
seems likely that Gilberto Silva will now come in to play alongside
Juninho in the middle with Cafu and Carlos on the flanks
