Saudi Gazette report
DOHA — Saudi Arabia defender Yasser Al-Shahrani, who suffered horrific injury during the last minutes of the FIFA World Cup opening game against Argentina, was flown off to Riyadh for an emergency surgery on Wednesday, it was announced by the Saudi national team in a statement on its Twitter account.
“The player, Yasser Al-Shahrani, left Hamad Medical City, Doha this morning for the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, where he will undergo surgery in the coming hours, according to the treatment plan drawn up by the medical team,” it said.
Al-Shahrani sustained serious injuries after his collision with Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais during their historic 2-1 win over Argentina on Tuesday. He was substituted by Mohammed Al-Buraik in the 98th minute of the match.
Al-Shahrani collided with Al-Owais and was knocked out cold, late in the second half of the game. Al-Shahrani had reportedly suffered a fractured jaw, broken left facial bones, teeth damage, and internal bleeding.
The goalkeeper himself reacted in horror after the incident happened and was seen holding his head in his lap.
The incident happened when Al-Owais had come out to grab the ball, and accidentally kneed Al-Shahrani to his face. Al-Shahrani was eventually stretchered off and gave the thumbs up to the crowd as he left, but the extent of his injuries was revealed once he got to Hamad Medical City and was advised surgery to stop internal bleeding.
Earlier, the Saudi national team posted a video of the player after the severe injury sustained by him. In the video, Al-Shahrani appeared from Hamad Medical City and reassured the audience of his health, congratulating the Saudi team for winning the match.
The team announced on Tuesday that Al-Shahrani was transferred to Hamad Medical City, as a result of a strong clash in the head, chest and abdomen, and his condition was stable and he underwent all necessary medical examinations.
Social media activists, especially Twitteratis, posted a video showing Al-Owais’s reaction after Al-Shahrani’s horrific injury and his transfer to the hospital.
