Web Notifications

SaltWire.com would like to send you notifications for breaking news alerts.

Activate notifications?

Soccer: Marta injury worries Brazil ahead of Jamaica opener

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS

Olive Tapenade & Vinho Verde | SaltWire

Watch on YouTube: "Olive Tapenade & Vinho Verde | SaltWire"

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil striker Marta is a doubt for their women's World Cup opener against Jamaica next month after the country's soccer confederation (CBF) said on Saturday she had picked up a hamstring injury in training.

Marta, named Women's Player of the Year a record six times, picked up the injury at Brazil's camp in Portugal and while the CBF did not clarify how serious the injury was coach Vadao told a Globo website she could miss their June 9 opener.

"Our worry is just about the first game," he said, "and whether she has time to recover or not.

"She feels fine. We’ll wait a couple of days for the medical department to give me a more concrete appraisal."

The absence of Marta, who has scored a record 15 women's World Cup goals, would make Brazil's life even more difficult at the June 7 to July 7 tournament in France, where they also meet Australia and Italy in the group phase.

The finalists in 2007 come into the tournament having lost their last nine matches, their worst ever run.

(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Share story:
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT