Mon Dec 05, 2022 2:19 pm
Brazil coach Tite says star player Neymar is closing in on a return to full fitness ahead of his side's last-16 clash with South Korea.
The 30-year-old was forced out of his side's opening game, the 1-0 win over Serbia, with a suspected ankle injury.
Brazil won their group in the absence of their star player, and Tite is hoping to have him available for the knockout stages.
"Regarding Neymar, he’s going to practice this afternoon and if he is OK, he will play tomorrow," Tite told reporters. "I don’t share any information that is not true. My answer is he will practice this afternoon, if everything goes well, he will play.”
Neymar’s return comes as a welcome boost to Brazil, with striker Gabriel Jesus ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a knee injury suffered during a shock defeat to Cameroon. Alex Telles too has been ruled out with a similar issue.
Tite added: “Arsenal have a great medical department, we have a great medical department, we feel sorry for Gabriel Jesus, Neymar and Thiago (Silva) spoke to him, they spoke to Alex (Telles). We can’t take the pain away, just try to make them feel better, to strengthen them.”
Mon Dec 05, 2022 11:50 pm
Scored tonight and Brazil looked good first half .