World-Cup organisers send Koller bouquet

BERLIN, June 13 (Reuters) The World Cup organising committee today took the unusual step of sending injured Czech Republic striker Jan Koller a bouquet and wishes for a speedy return to the team.

Koller was carried off on a stretcher with what was initially described as a ''serious injury'' during the 3-0 win over the United States in Group E yesterday. He had earlier scored the opening goal in the comfortable victory.

A team spokesman said later that the injury was not as bad as first thought and the 2.04-metre (6ft 7in) tall striker might be fit enough to play later in the competition.

Wolfgang Niersbach, vice-president of the Organising Committee, told journalists today: ''Our president Franz Beckenbauer, on behalf of the organisers has sent Jan Koller a bouquet and best wishes for his full recovery.

''He is very popular in Dortmund where he has been playing for the last few years and is a very special player and a very special person. We hope that he will be back in the World Cup as soon as possible.'' Koller, who last week joined AS Monaco at the end of his contract with Dortmund, has only just battled back to fitness after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in September.

REUTERS PM VV1653