Rafael Cabral injured, removed from Brazil’s Olympic soccer team

SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Brazil's starting goalkeeper Rafael Cabral has been withdrawn from the country's Olympic soccer team with an injury to his right elbow.

The team doctor said exams done today showed the injury will keep the 22-year-old from the field for up to three weeks, ending his hopes of starting with the Olympic team, according to the Associated Press. Cabral was injured during a Monday practice when he collided with a practice dummy as he reached for a high ball that crossed into the penalty box. He continued to practice despite the pain, but started to lose movement in his arm throughout the day, leading doctors to conduct tests.

"It's hard to try to explain why things like this happen," Cabral told the AP. "But I'd like to think that it all happens for a reason and I will overcome all of this in the end."

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Neto, 23, who plays for Italy's Fiorentina team when he's not blocking shots for his country, will replace Cabral as Brazil's starting goalkeeper, and 19-year-old Gabriel, from AC Milan, will be the team's substitute, reported Reuters.

The AP said Neto has played only three official matches since joining the Italian team early in 2011 and will be making his national team debut when Brazil plays its first match against Egypt.

According to Sports Network, Renan Ribeiro will arrive in London on Wednesday to replace Gabriel as Brazil's stand-by goalkeeper.