Hiddink dismisses conspiracy allegations

By John Bruce

GUUS HIDDINK has angrily rejected suggestions there is a conspiracy to help South Korea in this World Cup.

Portugal, Italy and Spain have all complained bitterly about the match officials after controversially losing to Hiddink’s team and the Azzurri have even claimed there is a high-level plot to ensure Korea wins.

Hiddink takes great exception to these allegations and he says there have been plenty of decisions which have gone against his team.

He added Portugal, Italy and Spain have only themselves to blame for losing to Korea.

‘‘When people say it’s all very suspicious then I get rather angry because we could mention a lot of incidents where we have not had the benefit of the doubt,’’ said the Korean coach.

‘‘It’s happened in previous games when there was a situation for a red card, but the referee didn’t see it and we accepted that. These things go for you and against you.

‘‘I can understand coaches being emotional just after the game, but I think it’s good to look in the mirror and see why your team failed. The Dutchman added pointedly:

‘‘I think when you lose to a rather un-known team and a rather inexperienced team you should just be critical of your own team.’’

Korea face Germany in Tuesday’s semi-final in Seoul and the party which began after their penalty shoot-out win over Spain in Gwangju yesterday is still going on.

The squad was mobbed like popstars by a couple of thousand of fans when they arrived for training at the Misari football fields on the outskirts of Seoul. Hiddink put his squad through a gentle hour-long work-out in light rain and he is mindful the last five games are beginning to take their toll.

Midfielder Kim Nam-il, who lasted just 30 minutes yesterday against Spain because of his twisted ankle, did not train and neither did golden boy Ahn Jung-hwan, who also has a sore ankle.

Hiddink is fearful that at least one of them may miss the biggest game in Korea’s history and he said: ‘‘Yesterday once more was a tough match physically and mentally for the players.

‘‘Some players have problems with their ankles and I’m not sure if they will all recover in time for Tuesday.”