Upsets continue to be the name of the game in Russia
Serbian captain dedicates World Cup goal to ailing official
As Serbia celebrated its
1-0 victory over Costa Rica in the World Cup on Sunday, the celebratory mood briefly turned sombre.
Captain Aleksandar Kolarov was named man of the match for his game-winning goal from a free kick early in the second half. But his thoughts turned to Goran Bunjevcevic, sporting director of the Serbian federation, who had a stroke last month and required emergency surgery.
Koralov dedicated both the win and his goal to Bunjevcevic.
“He’s had some health problems. We want to relay this message to him and his family that we are 100-per-cent behind him,” Koralov said.
Bunjevcevic, 45, played for the national team from 19982003, appearing in 16 matches. A defender, he played for Tottenham from 2001-06.
Following his playing career he was sporting director at one of his former teams, Red Star Belgrade, and another Serbian club, Zemun. He took his current post with the Serbian federation in August 2016.
Kolarov’s goal, which curled over the wall in the 56th minute, gave Serbia a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica at Samara Stadium in the team’s opening game in Russia.
AWARD DECLINED
An Egypt team official has confirmed goalkeeper Mohamed
Elshenawy declined to receive a player of the match trophy at the World Cup for religious reasons.
The trophy, an artistic red goblet, is sponsored by Budweiser. Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol. Egypt team director Ihab
Leheta told The Associated Press on Sunday that Elshenawy said a “few words” and posed for photos in a brief ceremony, but did not take the goblet. He gave no other details.
The 29-year-old Elshenawy won the award following his impressive performance in the 1-0 loss to Uruguay on Friday. He made a string of stunning saves before Uruguay clinched the win with a goal in the 89th minute.
Images of Elshenawy gesturing what appears to be a rejection of the trophy held by a young Budweiser representative in the stadium’s tunnel appeared on social and mainstream media. Budweiser is among FIFA’s top sponsors.
BELGIUM KEEPS KOMPANY
Belgium will keep defender Vincent Kompany on the 23man roster for the World Cup even though he is unlikely to be ready for the opening match of the group stage. Belgium coach Roberto
Martinez said Sunday there would not be any roster changes ahead of the match against Panama today. Belgium had until Sunday night to make any changes.
Kompany injured his groin in a friendly against Portugal this month and the Red Devils added
Laurent Ciman to their camp as a precaution. Ciman was sent back to Brussels on Saturday to await final word on Kompany’s status.
SWEDISH SPY?
Sweden coach Janne
Andersson says one of his staff got into a closed South Korea training session and was asked to leave, leading to a squabble between the teams over spying ahead of their game on Monday.
Andersson says the staffer, who is entrusted with scouting the opposition, thought the practice session at South Korea’s pre-World Cup training camp in Austria was open. Andersson says the coach left when asked and “watched from more of a distance.”
Andersson says his team analyzes all opponents and the incident has been overblown, but adds “it’s very important that we show respect for opponents ... If it has been perceived in another way, we apologize.”