Ladislav Novak, who captained Czechoslovakia to the final of the 1962 World Cup in Chile, has died. He was 79.
The Czech football federation said in a statement Monday that Nivak died in Ostredek u Benesova, southeast of Prague, in a facility for treating long-term ill patients. The cause of the death was not given.
Born Dec. 5, 1931, in Louny, the left back anchored the Czechoslovakia defense on its way to the 1962 World Cup final, which was won by Brazil 3-1.
Novak led Czechoslovakia in 71 matches as captain in his 75 internationals between 1952-66. He was also in the team that finished third at the 1960 European Championship and played at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden and the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland.
He scored one goal for his country.
Novak was regarded as a football gentleman, never receiving a red card. He was a professional known for his full commitment to his sport.
''That was my way. I trained more than I had to, I even trained on my vacation,'' Novak once said. ''I was careful not to put on weight. I didn't smoke and avoided alcohol. A sip (of alcohol) a day before a match was taboo.''
Novak retired in 1968 after winning eight Czechoslovak league titles with Dukla Prague to become coach.
He was briefly in charge of the Czechoslovak national team in 1971-72 and also coached several Belgian clubs, including Lokeren, Antwerp, Beerschot and Beveren.
Funeral arrangements were not immediately known.
