Douglas Costa cut from Brazil squad for World Cup qualifiers

Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa has been cut from Brazil's squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela next month due to a hamstring injury.

The 26-year-old was replaced by Shakhtar Donetsk forward Taison, the Brazilian football confederation said in a statement on Wednesday.

Costa suffered the injury during Bayern's 3-1 victory over Ingolstadt in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Taison, 28, made his international debut in Brazil's 2-1 victory over Colombia earlier this month.

Brazil will host Bolivia in Natal on October 6 before an away clash against Venezuela in Merida five days later.

The Selecao are currently second in the South American zone qualifying standings with 15 points from eight matches, one point behind Uruguay.

The top four teams at the end of the two-year qualifying campaign will book a berth at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The fifth-ranked side will earn a playoff spot.

Source : XINHUA