Sports

Antony blames Qatar’s air conditioning for World Cup illness

Published

2 years ago

November 29, 2022

Fahuyost (ANE Staff)

Antony marked his Manchester United debut with a well-taken goal against Arsenal on Sunday, becoming the first Brazilian to score on his Premier League bow for the club. The winger, who arrived from Ajax in an £81.3million (€95m) deal, latched onto Marcus Rashford’s well-timed pass to slot home after 35 minutes, handing the Red Devils a 1-0 lead at Old Trafford. Antony became the ninth Brazilian player to appear for United in the Premier League. At the age of 22 years and 192 days, Antony’s goal made him the youngest Brazilian to score on his Premier League debut for any team. Casemiro became the eighth Brazilian to appear for United in the competition last month after joining from Real Madrid, but the midfielder is still awaiting his first start for the club. Antony was United’s most costly addition in a busy transfer window, having joined the likes of Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Martin Dubravka in making the switch to Old Trafford.

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Manchester United and Brazil winger Antony blames the air conditioning in Qatar for getting ill during the World Cup.

Antony was one of several Brazilians to miss training earlier this week ahead of their second Group G fixture against Switzerland.

Pre-tournament favourites Brazil kick-started their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Serbia and also proved too strong for Switzerland, with Casemiro’s late goal settling the contest.

Antony was used as a second-half substitute in both games but admits he was a little worse for wear prior to the Switzerland clash and blames the air conditioning in Qatar for getting sick.

The stadiums, training facilities and hotels in Doha are fitted with air conditioning as temperatures reach 30 degrees Celsius during the first ever winter World Cup.

‘It was a bit difficult,’ Antony, who completed a £82m move from Ajax last summer, told Brazilian streamer Casimiro. ‘I ended up having a bad feeling there for a few days that complicated me a bit.

‘I’m recovering well now and getting back to 100%. It was more of a sickness, a feeling in the throat. It was the air conditioning.

‘It wasn’t just me, other players also had a cough and a bad throat. It’s very difficult for me to get sick, but I’m happy to be an important part of the team. Whenever you need Antony, I’m available.’

Brazil’s victory over Switzerland ensured Tite’s side progressed to the knockout stages of the World Cup with a group game to spare.

After scoring the winner against Switzerland, Antony’s Manchester United team-mate Casemiro said: ‘I scored but is important to have assisted the whole team.

‘When we win, we win together; when we lose, we lose together. It doesn’t change my mindset.

‘This is a group, the Brazil national team as players, we must play as a group. That is most important to get the title.’

Neymar described Casemiro as the ‘best midfielder in the world’ after the match and Tite smiled when asked about the opinion before saying: ‘As a habit, I always respect opinions.

‘I usually don’t comment but I will allow myself to do so today. I agree.’