Published: Jun 16, 2014, 01:23 AM (IST)
Edited: Jun 16, 2014, 01:23 AM (IST)
Teresopolis: Jun 15, 2014
Brazil forward Hulk has played down an injury scare that forced him to leave a training session early Sunday. The 27-year-old said the move was precautionary and insisted he is available for the Selecao’s World Cup Group A clash against Mexico Tuesday.
“I felt a twinge and stopped as a precaution because there are only two days until the match,” Hulk told Brazilian television station Globo. The injury occurred during a match between Brazil’s first team and reserves at their Teresopolis base, near Rio de Janeiro.
Hulk was replaced in training by Chelsea midfielder Ramires, who could be given a starting berth at Fortaleza’s Castelao stadium, should the Zenit Saint Petersburg player not recover in time. “These pains can be a concern, but this is the World Cup and I want to play,” Hulk said. “I will try to be ready but Felipao (Selecao coach Luiz Felipe Scolari) will decide that.”
Brazil’s squad were due to fly to Fortaleza, in Brazil’s northeast, Sunday afternoon. The tournament hosts lead the Group A standings after winning their opening match against Croatia 3-1 Thursday.
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