AP - Portugal defender Jose Andrade will miss
the World Cup after injuring his left knee during Deportivo La Coruna's
league match at FC Barcelona.
Andrade tore a tendon in his knee and was carried off the field on a
stretcher after colliding with his goalkeeper Jose Francisco Molina an hour
into Saturday's game at the Nou Camp. The Deportivo defender scored earlier
in his team's 3-2 defeat.
Andrade, who had surgery in Barcelona on Sunday, is expected to be sidelined
for five to six months, Deportivo said Sunday on its Web site.
Andrade, who is his fourth season with Deportivo, was expected to play in
Portugal's defense at the World Cup.
Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari said Andrade's injury was "terrible
news."
"Andrade will always form part of our group, whether or not he's fit to make
a contribution on the field. If he wants, he can be with us in Germany with
a team which is still his," Scolari told the Portuguese soccer federation's
Web site.
Portugal plays Mexico, Iran and Angola in Group D of the competition, which
starts on June 9.
