INTERNATIONALS: STORMS AND INJURY CONCERNS IN FINAL WARM-UPS
Posted on: Sun 08 Jun 2014
The Chelsea defender played the whole of a 0-0 draw against Honduras in Miami where the weather briefly proved as challenging as the opposition, the game halted for 45 minutes midway during the first half due to safety concerns caused by an electrical storm.
Roy Hodgson again made wholesale changes to his starting line-up, reverting to the side that played at Wembley against Peru, and there were several chances to score not taken. As in England's previous game in Florida three days earlier the referee needed his red card, this time sending off a single player - Ecuador's Brayan Beckeles after 65 minutes for a second bookable offence.
Frank Lampard came on for Jordan Henderson on 83 minutes.
Belgium too had their game interrupted by weather, hail stones (pictured below) this time responsible for a 40-minute break, again during the first half. Continuing the similarities with England's match, opponents Tunisia had a man sent-off after 63 minutes and it took the Belgians 89 minutes to score the only goal of the game through substitute Dries Martens.
However shortly after the goal, Romelu Lukaku, who was also a substitute, came off with what is being reported as an ankle sprain. Eden Hazard played 74 minutes, Thibaut Courtois the whole match.
Two David Villa goals gave Spain victory over El Salvador in Maryland but there was no Chelsea involvement in the action with Cesar Azpilicueta remaining on the bench, as did Fernando Torres with Diego Costa playing 74 minutes up front for the World Cup-holders before being replaced by Xavi. Both Villa goals came in the second half with Cesc Fabregas missing an early penalty.
Cameroon played their last warm-up game at home, and overcame Moldova by a single goal, Edgar Salli scoring after half-an-hour, but Samuel Eto'o did not take part due to a fitness concern.
Our Nigerians were the only Chelsea players to taste defeat in Saturday's World Cup warm-ups, losing 2-1 to the United States in Florida. Victor Moses was fouled for a late penalty which he converted but by then Sunderland's Jozy Altidore had scored in each half for the Americans.
John Mikel Obi played the first half with Kenneth Omeruo an unused sub.
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