A file photo of Brazilian midfielder Ricardinho of Brazilian team Corinthians in action against Peru during a World Cup 2002 qualifying match in Sao Paulo April 25, 2001. Ricardinho will replace Brazil's captain Emerson who has been ruled out of the World Cup with a dislocated shoulder. - Reuters ULSAN (AP):
BRAZIL were dealt a major setback yesterday when team captain Emerson dislocated his shoulder in practice and was ruled out of the World Cup. Brazil called up Ricardinho to replace him.
The Roma midfielder got hurt while playing goalkeeper at an informal scrimmage at Munsu Stadium, where Brazil face Turkey today in the opening Group C match.
Diving to make a save on a shot by Rivaldo, Emerson fell heavily and his right shoulder popped out of the joint, team doctor Jose Luis Runco said.
The player was examined in the dressing room, and his arm was immobilised and placed in ice. The decision to cut him was almost immediate, Runco said.
"He will need four weeks to play football again," Runco said. "His participation in the World Cup is out of the question."
Brazil asked FIFA, soccer's governing body, for permission to call up another player. FIFA allows replacements for medical reasons up to 24 hours before a team's debut in the tournament.
Late last night, FIFA approved the substitution and Brazil called up Corinthians midfielder Ricardinho, team spokesman Rodrigo Paiva said. Ricardinho was expected to join the team by midweek.
Ricardinho said he had mixed feelings about being picked.
"I was upset with what happened to Emerson, who is an excellent professional and a great guy. But at the same time I am extremely happy to have the opportunity to play for the national team," he told Globo TV.
"I will give the most of myself to help the team," he said.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari did not say who would replace Emerson in today's match. His immediate sub is Vampeta, although Kleberson and Gilberto Silva also play in the position.
Rivaldo said the injury was a fluke. Players take it easy in the pre-game scrimmage, but Emerson was taking his goaltending chores seriously.
"Because he has no experience as a goalie, he fell the wrong way," Rivaldo said.
It's a wrenching loss for Brazil, which looked to the soft-spoken Emerson for leadership and tenacious defence.
It also could imply tactical changes -- Scolari's surprise decision to start diminutive playmaker Juninho against Turkey implied a greater defensive burden for Emerson. Without him, Scolari could be running a risk of exposing the Brazilian goal.
The decision to cut Emerson evoked memories of the traumatic loss of Romario on the eve of the 1998 World Cup, when a nagging leg injury flared up. The decision unsettled the team, which lost in the final to host France.
"It's a very serious loss," said Ronaldo. "Emerson is a man of authority in his area and knew what it was to play in a World Cup. We really are very sad, but Brazil can't hang their head and lose their enthusiasm."
