JOHANNESBURG, June 21 – Brazil expect to have midfielder Elano back for their final World Cup Group G match against Portugal although he was stretchered off in the 3-1 win over Ivory Coast.The five-times World Cup winners booked their last 16 berth on Sunday with an impressive win over Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Ivory Coast, but had star midfielder Kaka controversially sent off for a second yellow card.
Kaka will miss Friday’s match against Portugal in Durban through suspension, but goal-scorer Elano is expected back in the side despite having been stretchered off after a heavy knock to his right leg on 67 minutes at Soccer City.
"He suffered a very heavy knock, but it is only a knock and we hope within two days he will be able to play," said Brazil’s man-of-the-match Luis Fabiano whose goals either side of half-time sealed the victory.
"It will be sore, but he will be able to play."
Galatasary midfielder Elano now has two World Cup goals having also scored in the opening win over North Korea last Tuesday before converting a Kaka cross on 62 minutes to score Brazil’s third against the Ivory Coast.
