Suwon Samsung Bluewings coach Cha Bum-kun has chosen to rest a number of key players for his side's Asian Champions League game at Singapore Armed Forces tomorrow.
The Koreans sit joint top of Group G having defeated Japanese side Kashima Antlers 4-1 last week but Cha has chosen to put his faith in the younger members of his squad for their second game.
China defender Li Weifeng is nursing a right thigh injury while goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae, skipper Kwak Hee-ju and Korea Republic international midfielders Song Chong-gug and Kim Dae-eui have not travelled to Singapore.
"It is our policy to give the older players a bit more rest," said Cha. "We believe that our younger players can do well in this type of game so that's part of the reason why we left them behind in Korea.
"With the K-League and ACL happening at the same time we have to keep some players aside so that they are rested and ready."
SAF coach Richard Bok, meanwhile, believes Suwon will still pose a tough test for his players despite the lack of a number of their first-team regulars.
"The players that they left behind in Korea are experienced players but they still have enough quality in their side to make things hard for us," he said.
"They have the players to do the job and we will need to be at our best if we want to get something from the game. "
Kashima Antlers are also set to make changes to their side when they play Shanghai Shenhua in the group's other game.
They lost 4-1 to Suwon Bluewings in their opening game of the Asian Champions League last week and were beaten 2-1 by Albirex Niigata 2-1 in the J.League at the weekend.
Midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara could be in line for a starting place having been named on the bench for the last three games.
"I'm always ready for the game," said Ogasawara. "The spirit amongst the team is not bad at the moment. If you can run hard and fight hard to show you are mentally ready for the game, then you should be able to play well."
Shanghai are looking to build on their 4-1 victory over Singapore Armed Forces, a result which flattered them somewhat thanks to a late flurry of goals.
Midfielder Yu Tao believes nothing less than a win will do for Shanghai if they are to maintain hopes of qualification.
"As our target is to qualify, this match is very important," he said.
"We have never been afraid of any Japanese teams. We are not here for a draw, one point will not be enough."
China defender Li Weifeng is nursing a right thigh injury while goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae, skipper Kwak Hee-ju and Korea Republic international midfielders Song Chong-gug and Kim Dae-eui have not travelled to Singapore.
"It is our policy to give the older players a bit more rest," said Cha. "We believe that our younger players can do well in this type of game so that's part of the reason why we left them behind in Korea.
"With the K-League and ACL happening at the same time we have to keep some players aside so that they are rested and ready."
SAF coach Richard Bok, meanwhile, believes Suwon will still pose a tough test for his players despite the lack of a number of their first-team regulars.
"The players that they left behind in Korea are experienced players but they still have enough quality in their side to make things hard for us," he said.
"They have the players to do the job and we will need to be at our best if we want to get something from the game. "
Kashima Antlers are also set to make changes to their side when they play Shanghai Shenhua in the group's other game.
They lost 4-1 to Suwon Bluewings in their opening game of the Asian Champions League last week and were beaten 2-1 by Albirex Niigata 2-1 in the J.League at the weekend.
Midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara could be in line for a starting place having been named on the bench for the last three games.
"I'm always ready for the game," said Ogasawara. "The spirit amongst the team is not bad at the moment. If you can run hard and fight hard to show you are mentally ready for the game, then you should be able to play well."
Shanghai are looking to build on their 4-1 victory over Singapore Armed Forces, a result which flattered them somewhat thanks to a late flurry of goals.
Midfielder Yu Tao believes nothing less than a win will do for Shanghai if they are to maintain hopes of qualification.
"As our target is to qualify, this match is very important," he said.
"We have never been afraid of any Japanese teams. We are not here for a draw, one point will not be enough."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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