ZCZC
BSP-21
FBL-AUS-ASIA-2019-SCO-CELTIC-ARZANI
Socceroos sweat over Arzani after Celtic injury
SYDNEY, Nov 1, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The Socceroos were sweating over the
fitness of Daniel Arzani Thursday after the exciting young striker was
stretchered off on his debut for Scottish powerhouse Celtic.
The Iranian-born 19-year-old, who turned heads at the World Cup in Russia
this year, went down clutching his knee barely 20 minutes into his first game
for the Glasgow side.
“An unfortunate end to @iamdanielarzani’s @CelticFC debut. Fingers crossed
nothing too serious,” tweeted the Australian national team.
Reports in Australia said he may have torn his anterior cruciate ligament,
which could potentially need surgery and a long recovery period.
It is a major blow for the Socceroos who were banking on having Arzani fit
for the defence of their Asian Cup title in the United Arab Emirates in
January. They are due to play friendlies against South Korea and Lebanon this
month.
Fellow Australian Tom Rogic, who also plays for Celtic, said it was a
worry.
“Obviously it didn’t look great, him going down and getting stretchered
off,” he told reporters.
“It’s a shame. Hopefully it’s nothing serious and I guess we’ll wait and
see what the scan results are.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/1224 hrs