Germany striker Kuranyi goes AWOL

October 12, 2008

Satellite TV For PC
Watch 3000+ television stations from 78 different countries on your PC! Sports, Movies, News etc.

Football Tickets
Largest selection of European football tickets online. All tickets shipped via FedEx or DHL. 120% refund!

£25 Free Bet
FREE £25 bet when you sign up from SoccerNews.
Bet on the new football season at Betfair.

Football Jerseys & more
Largest selection of soccer gear on the Net! Get the latest club & national jerseys of your favorite teams.

Striker Kevin Kuranyi was absent without leave on Sunday from the Germany squad after disappearing from the stadium here following the 2-1 win over Russia in a World Cup qualifier.

The Schalke 04 forward, who was not selected for the 18-man match squad in the Group Four qualifier, watched the game from the grandstand as Lukas Podolski and Michael Ballack hit first-half goals to seal the win on Saturday.

According to German sports agency SID, the 26-year-old did not show up for the team bus on their journey from the stadium here to their base in Dusseldorf and up until Sunday morning had no contact with the team.

SID report two friends of the 52-times capped striker went to the Dusseldorf Hilton hotel, where the German team are based, to collect Kuranyi's possessions on Saturday.

The German Football Federation (DFB) confirmed the player's absence to SID, but could not explain the reason why Kuranyi left the squad abruptly or what action will be taken.

The Brazilian-born player watched the first-half of the game with the other non-playing members of the squad and asked permission at half-time to change clothes and be able to meet friends.

But after his request was granted, Kuranyi was not seen again and failed to meet the team bus.

More than an hour after the final whistle, DFB officials searched the stadium unsuccessfully for their missing player before the team left the stadium without Kuranyi.

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff made several attempts in vain to reach the striker on his mobile phone.

Germany playing Wales on Wednesday in Moenchengladbach in a World Cup qualifier and are top of their group on seven points after two wins and a draw.

League Matches, Euro Competitions & World Cup Qualifiers - Tickets for all major teams in Europe!

Related Items from SoccerNews.com: