South Korean adoration of their Dutch manager

(15 Jun 2002) 1. South Korean team bus drives up 2. Korean players walk out 3. Players in circle 4. South Korea coach Gus Hiddink walks around 5. Players jogging 6. Hiddink watches players jogging 7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gus Hiddink, South Korea coach: "I look at that with a smile, with a respectful smile and I know how it can go in our business. It was one half years ago that I started and I had to invest seven, eight months to watch the potential because I didnt know of Korean football". 8. Hiddink working with players 9. Cutaway photographer 10. Player kicking ball 11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gus Hiddink, South Korea coach: "I'm very happy, and very satisfied that I could provide, hopefully, my knowledge and my experience. But at the end they have to do it, they have to do it. Then I look and I'm happy that a lot of people in Korea enjoy now, not just yesterday but also in the past months, the development of Korea team and that makes me normal, humble and happy for them". 12. Hiddink in the field gesturing 13. Players in a practice match 14. Hiddink watches on 15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gus Hiddink, South Korea coach: "What's coming up now - I know the players now well enough that they go now with the same attitude in those games. There can't be a change, nor in tactics because this team has a very advancing, not aggressive but very, ya ok, controlled aggressive way of playing and that's good and that's nice to see when they played the pressure. I think many teams should play like that, some do and it will pay off in the results as well." 16. Players in practice match 17. Hiddink gesturing 18. Practice match 19. Hiddink signing autographs for fans STORYLINE: South Korea is still celebrating their biggest ever win in sporting history. Friday's 1-0 win over Portugal - once a favourite to win this World Cup - took South Korea to the top of Group D and is seen as a remarkable achievement. And the architect of this win is a Dutchman: South Korea coach Gus Hiddink. A former coach of Holland, Hiddink is today a national hero in South Korea and the man known as the "Flying Dutchman" understands the responsibilities of his fame. From virtual anonymity, Hiddink has today made Korea a force to be reckoned with - at least in this World Cup. Hiddink has worked hard for the past 18 months with this team, at times taking a few hard decisions as well. Despite facing a lot of criticism early on, Hiddink persisted with his ideas and tactics. And now the Dutchman is a hero for millions of Koreans. South Korea is now at the knockout stage of the World Cup, unknown territory for the co-hosts of this year's competition. Having topped Group D, South Korea next face European giants Italy in the Round of 16. Hiddink's cult status is very evident everywhere in South Korea - fans hunt for his autographs, and posters, T-shirts and even dolls are sold with Hiddink's face. It may be that the Flying Dutchman is on the threshold of the greatest glory ever in his career - a World Cup trophy. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...