GYEONGJU, South Korea (AP) - Three key South Korean players sat out practice Thursday, two days before South Korea's playoff for third place against Turkey in the World Cup.

Both defender Choi Jin-cheol and midfielder Kim Nam-il suffered ankle injuries. Forward Hwang Sun-hong also had "some problems," said coach Guus Hiddink. Especially troubling was Kim's injury, Hiddink said.

"It's a big setback for the team because when those kinds of players are not there, we see problems sometimes," he said. "It is regrettable for (Kim) not to finish the tournament."

Kim, a defensive midfielder, was replaced in the first half after a clash with defender Enrique Romero during the quarter-final match against Spain. He was ruled out from the semifinal match that South Korea lost 1-0 to Germany.

South Korea plays Turkey on Saturday in Daegu.