▲ In this file photo from Oct. 25, 2020, Lee Yong of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (L) battles Kim In-sung of Ulsan Hyundai FC for the ball during a K League 1 match at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, 415 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)
▲ In this file photo from July 26, 2020, Lee Yong of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (L) controls the ball against FC Seoul during a K League 1 match at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)

football player-injury

Jeonbuk's 'treble' bid takes hit with fullback's season-ending injury

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Yonhap) -- Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' pursuit of three major trophies this football season was dealt a big blow Thursday with the news of a season-ending injury for a key player.

Jeonbuk announced right fullback Lee Yong will miss at least three months with a fractured collarbone. He sustained the injury in a collision with Ulsan Hyundai FC defender Dave Bulthuis during the first leg of the FA Cup final Wednesday.

Jeonbuk are trying to become the first South Korean club to achieve a "treble," or capture three major competitions in one season. They have already won the K League 1 title, and the FA Cup would give them two. Jeonbuk will resume group stage action at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League later this month.

Jeonbuk played Ulsan to a 1-1 draw Wednesday, and the second leg is Sunday at 2 p.m. at Jeonbuk's home, Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul.

Lee has made a career out of setting up scoring opportunities with sharp crosses from the right side. He has been a mainstay as the right fullback for both Jeonbuk and the men's national team. His absence will rob Jeonbuk of perhaps their only reliable playmaker from their back end.

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