South Korea Coach Moreno Stands Behind Captain Son Amid Reports of Squad Rift

South Korea coach Robert Moreno has confirmed that Son Heung-min will keep the captaincy, responding to reports of friction between the former Tottenham striker and some of his senior international teammates.

Moreno named Son, now 34 and playing for LAFC in Major League Soccer, in the squad for next month's friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The Spaniard also picked Europe-based veterans Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan and Hwang In-beom. Reports say the three had been ready to quit the national team last month.

Asked at a news conference on Thursday about Son's leadership role, Moreno kept his answer short. "The captain is Son Heung-min. I have nothing more to say," he said.

Moreno took over on an interim basis after South Korea's disappointing World Cup in North America. He said he has held "many conversations with the players" since then. "I spent more time communicating than training," he said at the session, which ran for more than an hour.

He also played down the idea of a serious split. "Even in the best teams, people can have different opinions. What matters is how those differences are resolved," Moreno said. He added that "the team is healthy" and expressed confidence that the players would work together.

The speculation about discord began this month after Bayern Munich defender Kim threw his boots in anger when he was substituted in the second half of a 0-0 home friendly draw with Venezuela. Kim later said that "every player needs to put their head down and give it their all", remarks that fuelled talk of divisions in the squad.

Moreno suggested his squad selection answers the questions. "I believe you can find the answer in what I have said today and the squad that has been announced," he said.

His contract is due to expire after the two friendlies, though South Korean football officials could extend his stay to cover the Asian Cup, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia in January.

The national team has faced heavy scrutiny since its poor World Cup showing, when it failed to get past the group stage and coach Hong Myung-bo resigned. This month, South Korea's football association urged fans to stop "excessive personal attacks" on players.