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06/18/26 08:49:00
Printable Page
06/18 20:47 CDT Canada's Kon to undergo surgery after gruesome injury against
Qatar
Canada's Kon to undergo surgery after gruesome injury against Qatar
By CONNOR JOYCE and DREW RENNER
Associated Press
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) --- Canada's historic first World Cup victory
was overshadowed by a gruesome injury to midfielder Ismal Kon.
Kon injured his left leg when Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo tackled him from
behind in the second half, sending the 24-year-old to the ground. Kon grimaced
and players rushed to his aid, calling for help from the sidelines.
Madibo was sent off for the tackle on Kon, who was protectively surrounded by
his teammates while he was treated on the field before he was stretchered off.
"I saw his leg. I saw that something wasn't right," Canada captain Stephen
Eustquio said. He was among one of the first players to reach Kon.
Kon was whisked to a local hospital were he was preparing for surgery while
surrounded by family, Canada coach Jesse Marsch said.
Madibo's red card left Qatar to play with nine men, after teammate Homam Ahmed
was sent off in the first half.
Fewer than 10 minutes later, Kone's replacement, Nathan Saliba, scored Canada's
fourth goal in the 6-0 win and held up Kone's jersey in an emotional tribute.
Canada striker Jonathan David, who scored a hat trick, questioned the need for
the tackle on Kon.
"If there's a play where you cannot win the ball, there's no point," he said.
"It's just to hurt people."
The details of Kon's injury have not yet been disclosed. His lower left leg
looked visibly broken in photos after the incident.
"We're going to miss (Kone)," Eustquio said. "He has that X factor that our
team really needs."
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Connor Joyce and Drew Renner are students in the University of Georgia's
Carmical Sports Media Institute.
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