Brazilian women's soccer captain will miss Beijing Olympics due to injury

Brazilian women's soccer captain will miss Beijing Olympics due to injury

BRASILIA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The captain of Brazilian women's national soccer team, Aline Pellegrino, confirmed on Monday that she will be forced to sit out of the Beijing Olympics due to a knee injury.

Pellegrino, who twisted her right knee and tore a ligament last week in a match against the United States in South Korea, had hoped that the diagnosis would allow her to play in the Olympics. However, the team doctor claimed that her injury will not heal in time for her to play.

Brazil's head coach Jorge Barcellos lamented the loss of Pellegrino, but said he believed that the team will be able to play at a high level even without their star fullback.

Pellegrino scored one of Brazil's two goals against Ghana that led to their guaranteed spot in the Beijing Olympics.

She is currently in Brazil where she will undergo further exams and is expected to go through an surgery. The player will need an estimated six months to fully recover.


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