Ladislav Novak, who captained Czechoslovakia to the 1962 World Cup final, has died at the age of 79.

PA PhotosLadislav Novak pictured in 1962, the year of Czech football's high point

The Czech Republic national football association confirmed Novak died on Monday morning.

The cause of death has not been given.

Novak led his team past Hungary and Yugoslavia in the knock-out rounds of the 1962 tournament, which was staged in Chile, before they were beaten 3-1 by Brazil in the final.

A left back, Novak won 75 caps for his country, and captained the national side in 71 of his appearances.

He also played at the 1954 and 1958 World Cups and later had a short spell as manager of Czechoslovakia.

During his club career, Novak won eight league titles with Dukla Prague.