Koo to miss qualifying clashes

Midfielder Koo Jacheol will miss Korea's Republic's FIFA World Cup™ qualifier against Uzbekistan next week because of an injured ankle. The Korea Football Association said the Augsburg player, 23, was not included in the squad that left for Tashkent on Tuesday. Korea Republic, top of Asian qualifying Group A after beating Qatar 4-1 and Lebanon 3-0, take on the Uzbeks next Tuesday. Uzbekistan have only one point from two games. Koo's agent said he had sustained an injury to his right ankle in a league game against Schalke on Saturday. Koo, who captained Korea Republic's Olympic team to a bronze medal in London, moved to Augsburg on loan from Wolfsburg earlier this year. "I feel sorry for his absence, but I'm not worried so much because there are many other players who can replace him," national coach Choi Kanghee told reporters on Tuesday. "It seems to be impossible for Koo to play for my squad this year," he said. Koo was one of eight Olympic players selected by Choi for the full national squad. From fifa