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’.

“Australia are guilty of a lot of dirty fouls,” Kawabuchi said. “They target ankles in particular. They are too terrible. Japan must stand up to them.”

However an angry Hiddink described the comments as “ridiculous” before returning fire.

“People who make those comments are trying to create an atmosphere that puts a condition on referees and that is not fair,” he said.

“It’s giving an attitude which does not belong to a sportsman and the people that make those comments are showing irresponsible behaviour to our team, and sport in general.

“Just answering these questions, I am getting angry at people who are suggesting that (Australia is a dirty team).”

Hiddink said the clash against Holland was nothing out of the ordinary.

“I was angry at some of the comments that we were playing tough (against Holland) but in the injury to Sneijder, he committed himself, while Phillip Cocu had a collision in the corner – that is normal.”

Australia have a full squad to choose from but Hiddink refused to speculate on whether Mark Schwarzer, who helped English club Middlesbrough reach the UEFA Cup final, or Zeljko Kalac would be in goal.