FRANCE: BELGIAN DEFENDER GORDAN VIDOVIC DOUBTFUL FOR WORLD CUP MATCH AGAINST THE NETHERLANDS AFTER SUFFERING A GROIN STRAIN

Record ID: 646184

  • Title: FRANCE: BELGIAN DEFENDER GORDAN VIDOVIC DOUBTFUL FOR WORLD CUP MATCH AGAINST THE NETHERLANDS AFTER SUFFERING A GROIN STRAIN
  • Date: 10th June 1998
  • Summary: CAILLOUX-SUR-FONTAINES, FRANCE (JUNE 10, 1998) 1. SIGNS OF CAILLOUX-SUR-FONTAINES / SECURITY 2. PLAYERS ARRIVE BY BUS TO TRAIN 3. PLAYERS ON PRACTICE FIELD 4. PRACTICE MATCH 5. CUT AWAY CAMERMEN 6. WIDE OF PITCH Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 25th June 1998 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: CAILLOUX-SUR-FONTAINES, FRANCE
  • City:
  • Country: France
  • Reuters ID: LVAD129GZMU3NRWPELHEHP2MKGN
  • Story Text: Key Belgian defender Gordan Vidovic suffered a groin strain in training on Wednesday and is doubtful for Saturday's opening World Cup game against The Netherlands.

    Yugoslav-born Vidovic walked off after one hour of practice in pouring rain, complaining of being in pain and saying he suffered the injury when he fell on the slippery and rain-soaked pitch.

    Belgium coach Georges Leekens said he feared the injury was serious.

    Leekens shortened the training session, which mainly consisted of a practice game, by more than half an hour because of the poor weather conditions.

    PSV Eindhoven's Luc Nilis and Fiorentina's Luis Oliveira, who are expected to be Belgium's pair of strikers for Saturday, had fully recovered from minor injuries.

    He added that left winger Nico Van Kerckhoven also appeared fit again after missing Belgium's friendlies against Colombia and Paraguay last week because of a pulled hamstring.

    Belgium will hold a training session behind closed doors on Thursday before travelling to Paris for the opener.

    Leekens said he believed Belgium's second game, against Mexico in Bordeaux on June 20, would be the crucial one.

    Belgium upset the Netherlands 1-0 in the first round of the 1994 World Cup finals but suffered 3-0 and 3-1 defeats in the qualifying competition for France.
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