Over-exertion led to Junior's death

Brazilian striker Cristiano de Lima Junior died of cardiac arrest following over-exertion and excitement, the final post-mortem report confirmed, a top police official said at Bangalore on Friday.

Preliminary findings had earlier suggested cardiac arrest as the cause of his death on football field during the Federation Cup final between Dempo Sports Club and Mohun Bagan at Bangalore on December 5.

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The cause was arrived at following the chemical examination and histopathology reports. Doctors at state-run Victoria Hospital and Forensic Science Laboratory here were involved in the exercise.

The report has been sent to Brazilian Embassy, noting that the body of Junior, now in Goa, can be flown to his hometown of Brasilia in Brazil.

Junior scored two goals in the final to help Dempo to claim their first Federation Cup title, by beating the Kolkata outfit 2-0.

The Brazilian striker had collapsed after slotting his second goal at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

After netting the goal, Bagan goalkeeper Subrata Paul appeared to have nearly bumped into Junior with his hand apparently hitting the Brazilian striker.