Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Canberra: Korea Republic’s successful qualification for the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 on Tuesday after their 1-0 win over Kuwait was tinged with sadness in the camp at the news that winger Lee Chung-yong’s tournament is over following the injury he sustained in their opener against Oman on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Bolton Wanderers star (pictured, left) was withdrawn on a stretcher on the 78th minute and has reportedly suffered a hairline fracture in his right tibia following a challenge. Lee will require a minimum of three weeks of treatment and will fly out of Australia on Wednesday.
“It’s a big loss because every time Lee was with the team, he was in the starting line-up and with Bolton Wanderers as well he’s always on the pitch,” said Korea Republic coach Uli Stielike following the victory over Kuwait.
“He’s a player with a lot of experience, it’s not only sad for the guy but I saw a lot of sad faces around him. But we have to go on; life of a professional player is like that, it can always happen.”
Along with the injured Lee, Stielike was forced into seven changes to the side that defeated Oman in the opener, although the South Koreans were able to edge past Kuwait courtesy of Nam Tae-hee’s first half header.
Defender Kim Chang-soo was ruled out of the game through an injury sustained against Oman, while Bayer Leverkusen star Son Heung-min, midfielder Koo Ja-cheol and goalkeeper Kim Jin-hyeon were absent from the Matchday squad with fever.
Photo: WSG