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| June 30, 2006 | Friday | Jumadi-ul-Sani 3, 1427 |
Zidane skips training but fit for Brazil
HAMELIN, June 29: France captain and playmaker Zinedine Zidane missed training on Thursday but should be fit to play Brazil in their World Cup quarter-final on Saturday, a team spokesman said.
The 34-year-old Zidane, who will retire after the finals, took a knock in Tuesday's 3-1 second round win over Spain and stayed at the team's hotel to receive treatment on a minor injury.
“It's a precautionary measure,” the spokesman said of Zidane's absence.
Zidane was booked in France's first two games in the tournament and was suspended for the 2-0 win over Togo in their Group G decider, which would have been his last match had France failed to qualify.
He returned against Spain, sealing victory with a well-taken late goal. Every game now could be the last for the three-time World Player of the Year.
France have one more training session planned on Friday in Hanover before facing Brazil in Frankfurt, a rematch of the 1998 final won 3-0 by the French and featuring two Zidane goals.
Defender Gael Givet, a reserve who has played no part in the tournament so far, also missed Thursday's session because of a cold, the spokesman said.
Right back Willy Sagnol, who complained about a sore groin after the Spain match, attended the session but only jogged around the pitch. The spokesman said he should be fit to play Brazil.
France coach Raymond Domenech refuses to give any medical information about his players to the media during the tournament.—Reuters
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