S . Korean football captain confident of good 2018 FIFA World Cup performanceBy Joo Kyung - don SEOUL , May 21 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korean midfielder Ki Sung - yueng said Monday he is confident that the national team can perform well at the 2018 FIFA World Cup . Ki is one of the 27 players who will begin their training for the World Cup at the National Football Center in Paju , Gyeonggi Province . Although South Korean head coach Shin Tae - yong has to exclude four players from his provisional roster to confirm the final list of 23 players next week , the 29 - year - old is considered safe from the cut since he will wear the captain ' s armband at the World Cup . " This time , I feel more responsibility as a captain , " said Ki , who will be playing in his third World Cup in Russia . " I know I have to run more and help other players as a captain . " The Swansea City anchorman said he has big expectations for this year ' s World Cup , even though the Taeguk Warriors have lost some key players due to injuries . South Korea are in Group F at the 2018 World Cup with Sweden , Mexico and Germany . " To be honest , we had a difficult time from the qualifying round to recent friendlies , but I think we ' ve hit the bottom and we have no place to go but up , " he said . " I know there are negative comments and expectations on us , but I think it will make us perform better at the World Cup . " At 99 caps , Ki is the most experienced player on South Korea ' s roster . He will make his 100 th appearance for South Korea when the national team plays against Honduras in a friendly match on next Monday . " Time really goes by fast , " he said . " It ' s still a big honor for me to play for my country . I ' m ready to give my all for the national team . " Ki said the national team players will try to be on their best form when they open their World Cup campaign against Sweden on June 18 . " We have some friendlies coming up , but our goal is to be 100 percent fit when we take on Sweden , " he said . " We ' ll give our everything to win our first match against Sweden . " Ki , who had two goals in 25 matches in the English Premier League ( EPL ) this season , said he feels fatigue , but vowed that he will be also try to recover his best form . " To be honest , I feel physically and mentally tired , " he said . " But I believe other players also feel the same . We just have to boost our energy and stay healthy and think positive . " South Korea national football team captain Ki Sung - yueng walks on the stage during an event to mark the launch of the country ' s World Cup squad at Seoul Plaza in the nation ' s capital on May 21 , 2018 . ( Yonhap ) kdon @ yna . co . kr ( END )