Hiddink Expresses Strong Confidence

“Spain is another piece of cake." head coach of the Korean football team, Guus Hiddink said in the wake of the quarterfinal match of the Korean squad against Spain.

"Spain is a strong team. But we have beaten the world`s football superpowers. I regard this match as a piece of cake. We will do our best as we have done so far."

Following is an excerpt from the interview with Hiddink.

-How do you think about the Spanish squad?

"There are a lot of talented players in the Spanish team. They are better than us both technically and tactically. Their strongest point among others is that the players are experienced. Some say that their physical strength is weakened but that is not what I think. I know them because I coached Spanish players in the past. They are very strong mentally and physically."

-Do you have any special countermeasures in mind?

"I have enough information about the Spanish team. But that doesn`t make difference in my setting up tactics. As I mentioned earlier, we will play as we have done so far. Our players are well prepared. I believe they will put up a good fight against Spain."

-What kind of player is Raul, Spanish striker?

"He is young but experienced. He is also very smart and cold. He doesn`t miss any mistake made by opponents. He is suffering from injury but I think he is gonna play in the round-of-eight game. And if not, there are plenty to substitute him."

-Many Korean players have been injured.

"The condition of Kim Nam-il and Kim Tae-young, who were injured in the match against Italy, is not very positive. Park Ji-sung has some injury. It is unfortunate that our team could not have enough time to recover as Spain has."

-Some European media have raised a suspicion that Korean players use drugs.

"That is totally absurd. I have never even heard of it. We could achieve all the victories as a result of the hard work we have done for the past one and a half years. Their argument is just a cheap journalism. If that is true, bring me evidence."

Jong-Koo Yang yjongk@donga.com