‘Wildcard’ Baek Seung-ho (Jeonbuk Hyundai) will captain the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
“Midfielder Baek Seung-ho was named captain and defender Lee Jae-ik (Seoul Eland) was named vice-captain,” the Korea Football Association (KFA) announced on June 6. Baek becomes the second wildcard captain after Son Heung-min (Tottenham), who led Korea to gold at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games. Jang Hyun-soo wore the captain’s armband at the 2014 Incheon Games. Coach Hwang Sun-hong made his mind up early on to choose a captain from among the wild cards and settled on Baek Seung-ho. Compared to other wildcards Park Jin-seob (Jeonbuk Hyundai) and Seol Young-woo (Ulsan Hyundai), who don’t have much international experience, Baek Seung-ho is relatively experienced, having played in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and played 15 A matches (3 goals).
Baek Seung-ho was a top prospect who was dubbed a prodigy by his peers, and along with Lee Seung-woo (Suwon FC), he was the ace of the Barcelona duo and the ace of the age-group national team. He was also a standout at the U-20 World Cup. However, he didn’t quite make it to the U-23 level. He failed to make the final roster for both the Jakarta-Palembang and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. After moving to Jeonbuk from Girona and Darmstadt, Baek Seung-ho regained his form through regular appearances, earning a spot on the A team and playing in the World Cup, and finally earning a spot on the Asian Games squad through a wild card. 바카라
“I was very disappointed at the Jakarta Games, so that motivates me even more,” Baek Seung-ho said, adding, “I want to prepare well and win a gold medal.” “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t motivated,” he said of the military service benefits he would receive if he won gold. “I think it’s important,” said Baek Seung-ho, who emphasized, “I’m not just thinking about that, but I’m going to represent my country, so I want to make a good showing. “I heard from coach Hwang Sun-hong about how to move tactically in the midfield position, how to defend or attack, and what positions are good,” he said, adding, “I’m thinking about it a lot and preparing by watching the (June) match against China.”