Football: Ronaldo in line for Russian return, says Pepe
Ronaldo has a shoulder injury and Pepe is suffering from a thigh strain.
LISBON:
Portugal defender Pepe says his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo is the likelier of the two to overcome injury in time for their crunch World Cup qualifier in Russia tomorrow. Ronaldo has a shoulder injury and Pepe is suffering from a thigh strain. “I think Ronaldo has a better chance of playing in the match than I do, but we both want to be there to help Portugal,” said Pepe. The match is a table-topper for European zone Group F, as both Portugal and Russia have two wins from their opening two games. “It’s a big match for us, but not a crucial one. It’s always good to beat your main rivals, but avoiding defeat would also be a positive result.” Portugal’s 23-man squad was due to fly to Moscow on Wednesday, and will return together ahead of a second World Cup qualifier with Northern Ireland.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2012.
Portugal defender Pepe says his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo is the likelier of the two to overcome injury in time for their crunch World Cup qualifier in Russia tomorrow. Ronaldo has a shoulder injury and Pepe is suffering from a thigh strain. “I think Ronaldo has a better chance of playing in the match than I do, but we both want to be there to help Portugal,” said Pepe. The match is a table-topper for European zone Group F, as both Portugal and Russia have two wins from their opening two games. “It’s a big match for us, but not a crucial one. It’s always good to beat your main rivals, but avoiding defeat would also be a positive result.” Portugal’s 23-man squad was due to fly to Moscow on Wednesday, and will return together ahead of a second World Cup qualifier with Northern Ireland.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2012.