Football: Huge Seoul crowd could miss injured Neymar

SEOUL - A near-capacity crowd in Seoul could miss seeing Neymar in action after the Brazilian idol suffered a heavy fall in training ahead of Saturday's friendly with South Korea.

The Barcelona forward, 21, was running at full pelt during Thursday's session when he was nudged and hit the ground hard, writhing and clutching his right hip.

He limped off the training pitch and was replaced by Zenit St. Petersburg forward Hulk for the session.

No immediate announcement was made about whether Neymar will play the international friendly against South Korea, one of Asia's top teams, in Seoul.

Brazil fly to China after Saturday's game where they will play Zambia in another friendly at Beijing's famous Bird's Nest stadium.

A huge crowd is expected on Saturday at the 66,000-capacity Seoul World Cup Stadium, where the record turn-out is 62,884 for South Korea's friendly against the Netherlands in 2007, according to Yonhap news agency.

Brazil, hosts of next year's World Cup and five-time world champions, have brought a high quality line-up on their mini-Asian tour including Neymar, Hulk and Chelsea's Oscar.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has also included Liverpool defender Lucas Leiva, Barcelona's Dani Alvez, Chelsea centre-half David Luiz and Corinthians striker Alexandre Pato.

The players have been warmly welcomed in South Korea with pictures circulating on social media of Neymar shopping for clothes and smartphones in downtown Seoul.

South Korea coach Hong Myung-Bo has only one win in six games since taking over from Choi Kang-Hee, who resigned after steering the Taeguk Warriors to their eighth successive World Cup.

The former national captain has called up Europe-based players including Bayer Leverkusen winger Son Heung-Min, and Sunderland's Ki Sung-Yueng and Ji Dong-Won to his squad.

"Brazil is a great team; it always has been, and it still is," said Korean winger Lee Keun-Ho, according to Yonhap.

"But after our match, I hope Brazil realises we're a strong team, too."