Portugal coach Fernando Santos stated Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability remains to be in query for his or her remaining Group H match towards South Korea on Friday.
The 37-year-old Portugal skipper missed Wednesday’s apply and remained within the gymnasium for restoration and particular workout routines and together with his group already within the knock-out phases, he could possibly be rested towards South Korea even when he’s match.
“I think it’s 50-50 if he plays or not, we’ll see,” Santos stated at a press convention on Thursday.
“It will depend on how he practices today and if we see that he is in good shape … If he is not available then there is a plan.”
After victories towards Ghana and Uruguay, Portugal lead the group standings with six factors and may clinch the highest spot with a draw or a win. South Korea nonetheless has a slim likelihood of qualifying. Santos confirmed defender Nuno Mendes will miss the remainder of the World Cup after the participant was teared off the pitch towards Uruguay after struggling a thigh harm.
“Unfortunately he’s out however he can be with us by his will. It was his want, his membership agreed, and it was right here that he would start his restoration. His overwhelming need to be with us displays the way of thinking of the whole group.”
With Mendes, Otavio and Danilo injured, Santos stated he hoped to rotate a part of his squad with a view to conserving some gamers recent for his or her sport within the final 16.
“I have full faith in all my players, I am already missing three players, let’s see about the rest,” he added.
“Playing each 4 days is hard, gamers get drained and are feeling fatigued. Fatigue results in stress and stress results in harm.
“It is important to win and top our group as we will have an extra day for the players to recover better,” he added.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
