South Korea and Newcastle midfielder Ki Sung-yueng ruled out of Asian Cup

Two-time champions face Bahrain in the last-16 at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday

DUBAI , UNITED ARAB EMIRATES , January  7 ��� 2019 :- Hwang Uijo ( no 18 in red left ) of Korea Republic celebrating after scoring the goal in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 football match between KOREA REPUBLIC vs. PHILIPPINES held at Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. Korea Republic won the match by 1-0. Hwang Uijo scored the goal against Philippines. ( Pawan Singh / The National ) For News/Sports
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South Korea's Asian Cup hopes have suffered a blow after Premier League midfielder Ki Sung-yueng was ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury.

The 29-year-old Newcastle United player played less than an hour at the tournament before being taken off during South Korea's opening win over the Philippines in Dubai.

Ki's withdrawal was announced as South Korea, two-time winners of the tournament and the 2015 runners-up, prepare to take on Bahrain in the round of 16 on Tuesday.

The pull-out has prompted speculation that Ki may announce his international retirement, after clocking up more than 100 appearances since making his debut in 2008.

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More from Asian Cup:

UAE full of harmony and focus ahead of last-16 tie against Kyrgyzstan

Majed Hassan calls on UAE fans to 'get behind us' against Kyrgyzstan

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