Kompany, Vermaelen out for Korea game

Sao Paulo: Belgium captain Vincent Kompany and fellow Premier League star Thomas Vermaelen will miss Thursday`s World Cup Group H game against South Korea with minor injuries, their coach said.

Marc Wilmots said Manchester City`s Kompany trained for just 35 minutes on Wednesday, ahead of the Korea game in Sao Paulo, after a recurrence of a groin problem. He did not give details of the injury affecting Vermaelen, but the Arsenal defender lasted just 31 minutes of the 1-0 win over Russia before coming off with a knee problem. "They`re not very serious but we want to keep them fresh. They won`t play against South Korea," Wilmots told reporters in Sao Paulo. Belgium have qualified for the round of 16 by winning their opening two group games.