Korean German midfielder Castrop 'proud' of S. Korea debut

SEOUL, Sept. 10 (Yonhap) -- Born in Germany to a Korean mother and a German father, midfielder Jens Castrop made his South Korean men's national team debut during his two-match trip to the United States.

After playing as a second-half sub against the U.S. on Saturday, Castrop got his first start for the Taegeuk Warriors against Mexico in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday (local time).

Though Castrop ended up playing only the first half before getting subbed out for Kim Jin-gyu, the 22-year-old said he was quite proud to have played for the birth country of his mother. He is the first foreign-born player of mixed heritage to play for the South Korean men's football team.

"When the Korean national anthem came -- I learned it at home -- it was, of course, a proud moment for me," he said after a 2-2 draw with Mexico at Geodis Park. "I was really happy that I could make my debut."

Castrop said he'd heard from his brother that his mother "was screaming and crying in front of the TV" while watching her son play for South Korea.

"A very emotional moment for not just my mother but for my whole family," Castrop said.

Castrop, who plays club football for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga, said he wants to keep getting better and better and force South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo to keep calling him up.

"I had some good situations today, (but) also (made) some mistakes. You can always get better," he said. "I need to train out in Germany, play good matches with Borussia and that's all I can do. My goal is that the coach nominates me again and that I can be a part of the squad as well."

South Korea's next match will be in Seoul against Brazil on Oct. 10.

"Of course, I would be really proud, happy to play my first match in Korea against Brazil. Such a big team," he said. "Yeah, it would be a great moment for me."

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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