Defender Jang named South Korea football team captain

Hardworking defender Jang Hyun-soo will wear the captain's armband for the South Korean national football team during their pre-World Cup training in Turkey.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) said on Thursday that head coach Shin Tae-yong has selected Jang as the captain during their training here, reports Yonhap news agency.

Midfielder Jung Woo-young will be vice captain, the KFA added.

South Korea reached Turkey on Monday to test some players and fine tune their preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

During their stay, South Korea will play friendly matches with Moldova, Jamaica and Latvia. The national team will return home on February 5.

Jang and Jung previously served as captain and vice-captain respectively, for South Korea at the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship in Japan, where the Koreans successfully defended their regional title.

Jang, who plays with FC Tokyo, was also the captain for the 2016 Olympic football team, which was also managed by Shin.

The 26-year-old has made the most appearances for South Korea last year, playing 1,123 minutes in 13 matches. He has three goals in 45 international matches.

Jang joined the pre-World Cup training following permission from FC Tokyo, but he is scheduled to return to the Japanese club after South Korea plays against Jamaica next Tuesday. After his departure, Jung is likely to wear the captain's armband.

Jung has one goal in 22 international appearances. He recently completed his transfer from Chinese side Chongqing Lifan to Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe.

South Korea are in Group F at the 2018 World Cup along with Germany, Mexico and Sweden.

--IANS

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