Germany striker Kuranyi goes AWOL

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.