World Cup: Injuries mount for under-fire Portugal
AFP
June 17, 2014 08:01 MYT
June 17, 2014 08:01 MYT
Germany's Mats Hummels (5) and teammate Benedikt Hoewedes (4) celebrate Hummels' goal during the group G World Cup soccer match between Germany and Portugal in Salvador. -AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
Striker Hugo Almeida and defender Fabio Coentrao are major injury doubts for Portugal coach Paulo Bento in the wake of their 4-0 drubbing by Germany at the World Cup.
Portuguese media report Real Madrid's Coentrao, who came off after 65 minutes of the Group G match, is out for a minimum of 10 days with a leg injury.
Almeida is also rated doubtful for Portugal's next clash against the USA on June 22 after pulling up with a muscle injury in the first-half against Germany.
"The outlook isn't the best, they are two muscular injuries and will take time to heal," said Bento.
"We'll have to see how bad they are, but the signs are not encouraging."
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo stands on the pitch as German players celebrate following Portugal's 4-0 loss to Germany. -AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
Bento is definitely without centre-back Pepe for the Stars and Stripes game after his first-half dismissal against Germany for head-butting Thomas Mueller, who claimed a hat-trick.
"We have to come up with the best solutions to any absences now," said Bento.
"We have to fight for our objectives and goals.
"We'll be under a lot of pressure, regardless of the result of Ghana verses the USA.
"Our goal remains to qualify. We're not happy, starting a tournament with a result like this makes it complicated.
"Now we'll find out who we are and we'll see our capacity to fight for our goals."