Beautiful Rainbow, Eindhoven

A Dutch mix of players from various countries-

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) pointed out that the main success engine for PSV Eindhoven’s victory of the Dutch Soccer League and its advance to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League is the “successful harmony of different cultures.”

In its official website (www.fifa.com), the FIFA posted an analysis of the team, saying, “The melting pot of the PSV Eindhoven side includes ingredients from the far-flung corners of the globe.” The web site further reads, “Brazilians, Koreans, Swiss, and a Peruvian have added more than a dash of spice to the Dutch mix, producing a powerful effect on supporters and results alike.”

Players of various origins, including Damarcus Beasley (U.S.), Alex (Brazil), Gomes (Brazil), “Taegeuk Duo” Park and Lee (S. Korea), Farfán (Peru), Vogel (Swiss) make up a Dutch team of great harmony and strong teamwork with Dutch players under the leadership of Mark van Bommel, creating synergy.

Van Bommel said recently in an interview with Football International, “Players did their best in every aspect, even to use Koreans and Spanish, though poor, in order to have conversations.”

Eindhoven had to send its three core players, including Chelsea, in the run-up to the coming season, but under the strong charismatic Guus Hiddink, the team is poised to challenge the three major victories (the Dutch Champions League, the Amstel Cup and the Champions League).

Coach Hiddink said “The new players brought freshness and were eager to learn something. They all didn’t have a big ego but just the ability to adjust to the team.” “Unlike most of the South Korean players who made a move to Europe straight after the 2002 World Cup, Lee Young-pyo and Park Ji-sung have made it and we want to continue our relationship with them,” said Hiddink.

Jong-Koo Yang yjongk@donga.com