Hiddink surprised Korea qualified

South Korea coach Guus Hiddink says even he is surprised that his side have qualified for the World Cup's second phase.

The co-hosts confirmed their place in the last 16 with a 1-0 win over nine-man Portugal.

Korea won the group and now face a second-round match with Italy.

Hiddink said: I think we underestimated what it would mean to the people of Korea," said Hiddink, who guided his native Holland to the semi-finals of France 98.

"I am a coach of great experience but it gave me a bit of a surprise.

"When you see the world-class players that they (Portugal) have and we were able to control the game at times then that gives me great satisfaction.

"It shows how much we have improved over the past couple of months.

"We came from nothing many years ago and a lot of people did not have confidence in us, but I believed in these players.

"You have to remember that they do not play in the big leagues but they still have the ability to learn."

He added: "I knew we could have got through with a draw but that is not the attitude to have.

"So we were looking for the goal and when it came, it was a beautiful goal."