Defender named S. Korean football captain at Rio Olympics

SEOUL, July 26 (Yonhap) -- Defensive back Jang Hyun-soo has been named the South Korean football captain at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the sport's national federation said Tuesday.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) said head coach Shin Tae-yong made the decision after gathering opinions from his players.

Jang, 24, plays for Guangzhou R&F in the Chinese Super League. He is one of three overage players on the 18-man squad, along with forwards Son Heung-min and Suk Hyun-jun. The Olympics are open to players under 23, but each team can select up to three players over that limit, known as "wild cards."

"I am really grateful," Jang said. "It's a great honor to be the captain in a tournament as big as the Olympics."

Because of his club commitments, Jang only arrived in Sao Paulo, the team's base camp, on Monday, local time.

South Korea, the 2012 bronze medalists, are making their eighth straight Olympic appearance. They've been paired with Fiji, Germany and Mexico in Group C.

"Our goal is to reach the podium," Jang added. "We'll do our best to play well as a team and deliver good results."

Jang noted that Suk and midfielder Lee Chan-dong, who left Sunday's practice match against Iraq with injuries, aren't seriously hurt. Suk was diagnosed with bruised ribs and Lee with a sprained right ankle earlier in the day.

South Korea will face Sweden in their last tune-up match on Friday, also in Sao Paulo, before flying to Salvador, the site of their first two group matches against Fiji on Aug. 4 and Germany on Aug. 7.

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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