Osaka: Captain and goalkeeper Kwoun Sun-tae will miss Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' FIFA Club World Cup second-round meeting with Mexican side Club America due to injury.
Jeonbuk, crowned kings of Asia just last month, will face CONCACAF Champions League winners Club America on December 11 – ten years to the day since the two sides met in the competition.
Ahead of the second-round meeting, manager Choi Kang-hee voiced the club’s injury concerns, with Kwoun – who played in the Club World Cup fixture with Club America a decade ago – the most notable absentee.
“There are a lot of injuries and especially the injury of our goalkeeper and captain (Kwoun Sun-tae) is painful. However, our other goalkeeper will be prepared, as well as the rest of the players,” said coach Choi. “We will try to be fully prepared for the first match. We're not thinking of losing, we are ready.”
The winner of the Jeonbuk-Club America match, who face off in Osaka, will meet UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid at the International Stadium Yokohama on December 15.
“Of course, we would like to play against Real Madrid,” said veteran striker Lee Dong-gook. “But we are preparing for our first match and are only focused on that for now.”
Sources: FIFA.com, Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com