Cavalry FC midfielder Oliver Minatel undergoes surgery to repair broken leg
CHARLOTTETOWN — Cavalry FC’s Oliver Minatel has undergone surgery for a fractured tibia and fibula sustained in Saturday’s 1-0 win over York 9 FC at the Canadian Premier League’s Island Games.
The 28-year-old attacking midfielder from Brazil was stretchered off the field after a high-speed collision with sliding York 9 defender Roger Thompson in the 12th minute as both went for the ball just outside the York penalty box. There was no penalty assessed on the play.
The injury left several of Minatel’s teammates distraught after seeing the extent of the damage. Medical staff worked on the Cavalry player for almost 10 minutes before he left the field.
Minatel underwent surgery later Saturday at Charlottetown’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. On Sunday, the team tweeted a picture of the Brazilian in his hospital bed giving a thumbs up.