(World Cup) Forward Koo Ja-cheol named S. Korean captain for World Cup
PAJU, South Korea, May 21 (Yonhap) -- Forward Koo Ja-cheol on Wednesday was named the South Korean captain for this year's FIFA World Cup.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo said Koo, a 25-year-old attacker for FSV Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga, was chosen as the captain in a team meeting held at the National Football Center (NFC) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, the national team practice facility.
"Koo Ja-cheol is a responsible player who has good relationships with older teammates," Hong said. "At earlier tournaments, Koo proved to be a good leader for his young age."
Koo had earlier served as South Korean captain at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the 2010 Asian Games and the 2012 Summer Olympics, all of them with Hong as the head coach.
Koo is a versatile offensive player who can roam on either flank or back the striker behind the primary line of attack. He led the 2011 Asian Cup tournament with five goals as South Korea finished third.
Midfielder Lee Chung-yong was named the assistant captain for the 23-man squad. The 25-year-old from Bolton Wanderers is one of five carryovers from the previous World Cup.
Hong, who captained South Korea to the semifinals at the 2002 World Cup, said he fully understands how much stress captaincy can bring to players.
"I hope he takes on the job with a sense of responsibility," Hong added. "Koo may be the captain but I hope every one of our players will show leadership. They all must be able to share their thoughts off the field in order to play to their capabilities on the field."
Koo said he was grateful for Hong's and his teammates' show of faith in him.
"We've had some charismatic captains and also quieter leaders on our national teams," Koo said. "I want to lead the team by example and do my best in every facet of the game."
This year's team is on average 25.9 years old, nearly two years younger than the previous World Cup squad. Defender Kwak Tae-hwi, at 32, is the only player over 30 years of age.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
BTS' Jungkook's 'Seven' chosen as hottest hit outside U.S.
-
From pastime to academic discipline: Exhibition spotlights evolution of Korean embroidery
-
Gov't to open 10 trails near DMZ for visitors next month
-
Number of N. Korean defectors entering S. Korea reaches 43 in Q1
-
N. Korea dismantles S. Korean building near shuttered Kaesong complex
-
From pastime to academic discipline: Exhibition spotlights evolution of Korean embroidery
-
BTS' Jungkook's 'Seven' chosen as hottest hit outside U.S.
-
Trump suggests U.S. could withdraw its troops if S. Korea does not contribute more to support USFK: TIME
-
Number of N. Korean defectors entering S. Korea reaches 43 in Q1
-
(Yonhap Interview) U.S. will do 'all' it can to back S. Korea in case of China's economic coercion: official
-
(Yonhap Interview) U.S. will do 'all' it can to back S. Korea in case of China's economic coercion: official
-
40 flights canceled on Jeju Island due to bad weather
-
S. Korea to participate in U.S.-led cyber exercise this week
-
N. Korea slams U.S., other countries for seeking alternative to U.N. sanctions monitoring panel
-
Indonesia proposes cutting payment for joint fighter jet project with S. Korea to one-third