These are troubled times for South Korea. Son Heung-Min and Ki Sung-Yeung are not only in danger of missing the start of the new Premier League season, but could be absent, or short of fitness, for do-or-die 2018 AFC World Cup qualifiers against Iran and Uzbekistan, starting next month.
June's loss to Qatar was seismic for a number of reasons. For one, it resulted in Son breaking his arm. The forward had a fine season for Tottenham Hotspur, scoring 21 goals in all competitions.
Few Asians have had such explosive European campaigns, but the next one may have to wait.