MIYAGI, June 8: Saudi Arabia captain Sami Al-Jaber was rushed to hospital Saturday with acute appendicitis on Saturday, a spokesman for the team said.

Al-Jaber was taken to Tokyo’s University Hospital where doctors immediately removed his appendix, Soliman Al-Nafa said. The player will remain in hospital for two to three days.

The influential forward will now certainly miss the final group E game against Ireland. He was already doubtful after injuring his knee in their 8-0 demolition by Germany.

To add to the Gulf side’s misery, his replacement Obeid Al-Dossary will be out for about six months after he tore a ligament in his left knee during their 1-0 defeat against Cameroon, Al-Nafa said.—Reuters