Coach Robert Moreno confirms Son Heung-min will remain South Korea's captain despite rumors of internal team conflict.
Robert Moreno confirmed that Son Heung-min remains the captain of South Korea. The coach spoke during a long press conference on Thursday. He addressed rumors about tension within the national team.
Also, Moreno named the 34-year-old LAFC star in his latest squad. The team faces upcoming friendly matches against Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Son will lead the group despite recent reports of player friction.
Next, the coach selected three experienced players based in Europe. These include Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan, and Hwang In-beom. Some reports suggested these players considered leaving the team last month.
Meanwhile, Moreno spent significant time talking to his athletes. He became the interim coach after the team struggled at the World Cup. He believes open communication helps solve team disagreements.
For example, the coach stated that even top teams experience conflicts. He focuses on how players resolve these different opinions. He trusts his squad to work together effectively.
Still, rumors of discord began after a recent game against Venezuela. Defender Kim Min-jae showed frustration when he left the field. His post-game comments added to talk of internal division.
After that, the South Korean football association asked fans to stop attacking players. The public remains frustrated after the team failed to advance at the World Cup. This performance led the previous coach to resign.
Finally, Moreno defended his leadership choices. He insisted that Son Heung-min is his captain. His current contract ends soon, but the team might keep him for the Asian Cup.