In the semi-final match on Tuesday between South Korea and Germany, Dutch football fans, who are deeply disappointed by the absence of their star-studded team in this year's World Cup, will express their emotions for the South Korean team, coached by their compatriot Guus Hiddink. The Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad wrote in its Monday edition that the heart of the Netherlands beats for Hiddink's 11 men. Who wouldn't wish to see South Korea crush the German team tomorrow? Dutch commentators have described Germany's games in the 2002 World Cup as boring, predictable, and unattractive. The Netherlands, European champion in 1988 and World Cup finalist in 1974 and 1978, failed to qualify for the World Cup this year, finishing behind Portugal and Ireland in the qualifiers. The Dutch hope to rebuild their team under coach Dick Advocaat for the Euro 2004 championship in Portugal. Johan Cruyff, the Dutch football star of the 60s and 70s, stated that many teams' performances in this year's World Cup have been realistic but lacking in creativity. The popular Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf today announced its support for Hiddink, praising him for encouraging the Koreans to deliver attractive football on the field. According to this newspaper, Hiddink's Korean team has garnered global admiration for its offensive style of play.
Dutch Support for South Korea - 2002-06-24
Dutch football fans are rallying behind South Korea in the World Cup semi-finals, particularly because their own team did not qualify. The support is largely due to the presence of Dutch coach Guus Hiddink, who has led South Korea to impressive performances. This reflects broader sentiments about the quality of football in the tournament and the disappointment of Dutch fans.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Dutch football fans are expressing their support for South Korea in the World Cup semi-finals due to the absence of their own team. This support is largely attributed to the coaching of Guus Hiddink, who has led South Korea to notable success.
- The Netherlands did not qualify for the 2002 World Cup, finishing behind Portugal and Ireland.
- Guus Hiddink has been praised for his coaching style that promotes attractive football.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The 2002 FIFA World Cup is a major international football tournament, where countries compete for global recognition. The Netherlands, historically a strong football nation, faced disappointment by not qualifying.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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