2 Europe-based players to miss World Cup qualifier due to injury

Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Eom Ji-sung of Swansea City will both miss South Korea's next World Cup qualifying match due to lower body injuries, the national football federation announced Saturday. The Korea Football Association (KFA) said Hwang has been diagnosed with a sprained left ankle, while Eom is dealing with a left knee injury. The KFA selected two Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors teammates, Lee Seung-woo and Moon Seon-min, as the two midfielders' replacements for South Korea's next Group B match against Iraq in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualification. That match will kick off at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, just south of Seoul. Hwang Hee-chan of South Korea (C) is helped off the field by team trainers after suffering an ankle injury during South Korea's Group B match against Jordan in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualification at Amman International Stadium in Amman on Oct. 10, 2024. (Yonhap) Hwang Hee-chan of South Korea (C) is helped off the field by team trainers after suffering an ankle injury during South Korea's Group B match against Jordan in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualification at Amman International Stadium in Amman on Oct. 10, 2024. (Yonhap) Both Hwang and Eom suffered their injuries during South Korea's 2-0 win over Jordan in Amman on Thursday. Hwang went down in the 10th minute following a hard challenge from Abdallah Nasib. Then Ehsan Haddad tackled Hwang from behind in the 21st minute, sending Hwang to the ground in obvious pain. Hwang, unable to put any weight on his left leg, was helped off the pitch by team trainers. Eom was subbed in as Hwang's replacement, but Eom himself had to leave the match in the 51st minute with his knee injury. South Korea are already without captain Son Heung-min, who was cut from the national team last week due to a hamstring injury. The KFA said Lee and Moon will join the national team for a training session set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday. With seven points from two wins and a draw, S outh Korea are leading Group B. Iraq also have seven points but trail South Korea in goal difference +4 to +2. The top two teams from each of the three groups in the third round will punch their tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Source: Yonhap News Agency