Brazil win but suffer Falcao blow

Brazil may have got their FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 campaign off to a winning start with a 4-1 triumph against Japan, but victory came at a cost. A Seleção’s biggest star, Falcao, was forced to withdraw from the match in Nakhon Ratchasima after just three minutes’ play, having suffered an injury to his right calf, and was highly pessimistic regarding his chances of playing any further part in the competition. “It’s a very worrying one, unfortunately,” he said, following the game. “My dream of playing a fourth [Futsal] World Cup may be over. We’re going to do some tests on it tomorrow, but it’s unlikely I’ll be able to get a run of games.” This latest injury blow comes after the 35-year-old overcame fears he would miss the tournament on Thai soil due to a right-thigh problem. Indeed, his fitness was only proved after he underwent an MRI scan on the day the Brazil delegation set off to Asia. “When I had an injury a while back it was in my adductor muscle, but that had already healed up,” explained the player. “But this time I ended up straining my calf.” Though the injury was treated with ice as soon as Falcao reached the substitutes bench, the player had cut a frustrated figure as he limped off the court. “It’s like a film is playing inside your head,” continued the Auriverde No12. “You think how many years you’ve spent waiting for this moment, which would have been the last World Cup of my career. For the dream to end after three minutes is a shame. I’ll still be cheering on the squad though. It’ll be hard watching from the outside, without being able to get involved again, but I’ll still be supporting the lads.” What is more, in a friendly game last week against today’s opponents, as part of the teams’ preparations for this competition, Brazil lost defender Cico – also to a calf injury. In his place, coach Marcos Sorato called up Spain-based player Rato. FIFA