With the 2006 World Cup in Germany fast approaching, Korea had been without a coach after Joe Bonfrere quit due to poor performance, such as the 1-0 loss to Saudi Arabia (although, to be fair, he is credited with getting Korea into the 2006 World Cup).
But today it was announced that former Dutch national team coach Dick Advocaat, who led the Dutch to the 2004 Euro semifinals, will take control of the Korean national team beginning October 1 and on through to the games in Germany. His contact can be renewed if both parties agree. Those keeping score at home will remember that Advocaat is from the same country as Guus Hiddink, the double-vowel-loving Netherlands.
In the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, Guus Hiddink took a ragtag national team that had no ambition greater than just getting out of the first round for the first time in their soccer-playing history, and led them to a string of victories culminating in an previously unimaginable semi-finals appearance.
Today, Guus Hiddink is a national hero of immense popularity in Korea. Nevertheless, fifty-five years from now, the leftist grandchildren of today's soccer fans, who will have no direct memory of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, will be gathering around statues of him with the intent of toppling these likenesses and deriding him for not actually winning any World Cup trophy and criticizing him for doing it all just for the money and his own glory.
I don't think it will help. They had the home advantage last time. Their best form may be behind them... I will be there supporting them anyway.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the old standard of success will apply this time: getting out of the first round.
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