BANGKOK, Jan. 10 -- China's ace striker Zhang Yuning is set to miss the rest of the AFC U-23 Championships after suffering a fifth metatarsal fracture to his right foot in Thursday's 1-0 loss to South Korea.
The 23-year-old forward was stretchered off after he collapsed on the field clutching his right foot in the 42nd minute.
"Zhang Yuning's injury has been confirmed to be a fifth metatarsal fracture. What a regret!" said the executive coach of China Hao Wei at the post-match press conference.
Zhang will be flown back to China to receive treatment on Friday. His recovery is set to take up to three months.
"I cannot fall asleep. I am grateful to Zhang Yuning for his all-out efforts and what he did for our team. I wish him a quick recovery," Hao wrote on his social media account early on Friday morning.
China succumbed to South Korea's last-gasp attack in the 93rd minute of their first group match when Lee Dun-jun received a long pass from the center circle, dodged a chasing Chinese defender and struck the deadly blow past four Chinese players including the goalkeeper.
China will face Uzbekistan on Sunday before meeting Iran in their last group game next Wednesday.
The top three teams from the Championships will qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games with Japan receiving an automatic berth as hosts.