Hiddink angry at ‘dirty’ claims

AUSTRALIA coach Guus Hiddink has accused Japanese officials of unfairly trying to influence the refereeing of today’s Group F opener at the World Cup after his Socceroos were labelled a ‘dirty’ team.

Hiddink described the comments as unsportsmanlike and believes the reaction to his team’s approach in last Sunday’s friendly against Holland had also been blown out of all proportion.

Japanese FA chief Saburo Kawabuchi claimed that Japan had to be wary of the Socceroos’ hard tackling, accusing Australia of being guilty of committing ‘dirty fouls’.