Korea delivers for PSV

By Jim Wirth

For a younger generation of European football supporters, PSV Eindhoven coach Guus Hiddink is most famous for having taken co-hosts the Korean Republic to the semi-finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and the effects of that success continue to be felt now that he has returned to the Netherlands.

PSV achievement
The PSV squad that has outstripped all expectations to qualify for a quarter-final meeting with Olympique Lyonnais tonight contains two of the star players from Hiddink's heroic Korean Republic side, midfield player Ji-Sung Park and left-sided defender Young-Pyo Lee.

Korean travellers
The two players travelled the best part of 8,000km to test themselves in European football, but as their performances in the 2-0 victory at AS Monaco FC which confirmed PSV's place in the last eight demonstrated, they have acclimatised brilliantly to a new continent.

World Cup joy
There is still a certain sense of disbelief when the two players look back on their achievements under Hiddink. "First and foremost I was able to come to Europe because of my performances in the World Cup," said Park. "Going to PSV was a huge change for me but Europe offered me many more opportunities."

Bigger stage
Lee also thinks that the World Cup was the decisive factor in his development as a player. "It was a wonderful opportunity to play on a big stage, and what I remember is very special to me," he explained. "I think it's biggest reason for my rapid improvement."

No hesitation
Hiddink had little hesitation in bringing the two Korean stars to Europe after he returned to the Philips stadium and was pleased to see them settle in so well. "They had such mental skills that they adapted rather easily to the new situation from the first day they were here," remembered the coach.

Learning curve
Under Hiddink, both players have continued to learn and adapt. "He has taught us how to lead from the front," said Lee, while Park added: "He brought a lot of European aspects into our game. He helped us so much. He made our country strong and our team strong and he showed us a brighter future."

Lyon hurdle
The future could be even brighter for PSV if they manage to negotiate their way past a Lyon side who have been in awesome form in France and Europe all season, cementing their vice-like grip on their Ligue 1 title at the weekend with a 1-0 win against RC Lens.

Dutch underdogs
Hiddink is only too aware of the quality of Paul Le Guen's side but is also well aware that - of the two teams - it is PSV, as underdogs, who have the least to lose from the tie. A place in the last eight is a huge achievement already. A place in the last four would be a trip to dreamland.

Ongoing challenge
"We have reached the last eight," said Hiddink. "To be honest, it was unexpected. This is a great achievement for PSV. But we don't think this is a satisfactory conclusion, and we won't leave it here. Reaching this stage makes us even more hungry for success."

Higher standards
"You have to play at a much higher level, be more skilful and have a quicker tempo," said Park of his experience in playing in Europe's premier club competition. "The higher standards meant we've had to adapt." And like the rest of their PSV team-mates, the Koreans seem to be adapting very well.