TASS, Moscow :
Wednesday was a day without games at the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Eight teams, which entered the quarterfinals, continue training for important matches at their bases, while the defeated
teams are leaving Russia.
Russia midfielder Aleksandr Samedov has resumed training with the group. On Tuesday, the footballer trained under an individual program. Defender Yuri Zhirkov, who was diagnosed with a calf muscle tendon inflammation, continues individual training.
Mateo Kovacic, midfielder for the Croatia national team, Russia’s rival in the quarterfinals, also trained under an individual program. He had a shoulder injury sustained at the Round of 16 with Denmark.
The entire team Belgium trained before the match with Brazil. The players were divided into two groups. Those who took part in a match with Japan trained in a gym, while the second group trained on the field with the goalkeepers. The Swedish team was divided in the same way, and only
midfielder Albin Ekdal missed the training. Jamie Vardy, striker for the England national team, was injured in a match against Colombia. The footballer may miss the quarterfinals with Sweden.
Midfielder Fabian Delph may return to the team after his daughter was born.
Edinson Cavani, striker for the Uruguay national team, may skip the quarterfinals with France, French newspaper L’Equipe wrote. During the Round of 16 with Portugal Cavani scored two goals but he had a lesion in the muscle of his leg. No official information has been provided on his participation in
the upcoming match.
Brazilian referee to officiate Russia vs Croatia match
FIFA has picked referees to handle the upcoming World Cup quarterfinals.
Brazil’s referee Sandro Ricci has been assigned to officiate the July 7 match
between Russia and Croatia in Sochi. His assistants will be Brazilians
Emerson De Carvalho and Marcelo van Gasse. The reserve referee will be
Zambia’s Janny Sikazwe.
Argentina’s referee Nestor Pitana will handle the July 6 match between
Uruguay and France in Nizhny Novgorod. Serbia’s Milorad Mazic was selected as
a referee at the match between Brazil and Belgium on July 6 in Kazan, and
Dutch Bjorn Kuipers was confirmed as a referee at a match between England and
Sweden on July 7 in Samara.
