Kolkata, Dec 18 (IANS) Four years after Brazilian Cristiano Junior’s on-field death sent shockwaves across the soccer world, there were anxious moments during the Federation Cup semi final here Thursday as two Nigerian players dropped senseless for a moment following a head-on collision.
The incident occurred in the 73rd minute of the first pre-summit battle between Dempo Sports Club – for which Junior had turned up in the Federation Cup final on the fatal Dec 5 in 2004 – and Churchill Brothers.
Dempo’s Ranty Martins and Ogba Kalu Nnanna of Churchill Brothers went for a header follwoing a corner kick from Robert Lalthalma and had a head-on collision.
As they collapsed on the Salt Lake stadium ground, there was much panic, and a medical team rushed in. Dcotors were seen resuscitating them and soon, the duo was put in an ambulance and rushed to a nearby hospital.
Both players underwent CT scan and the doctors have declared them out of danger.
Junior had collapsed to death after he scored a goal against Mohun Bagan in the Federation Cup final at Bangalore.