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S. Korea rejects 'conspiracy' theory

Korea is basking in its victory

SEOUL, South Korea -- As the South Korean squad and its Dutch coach gear up for their semi-final contest with Germany, they are making no apologies for reaching the final four.

The underdog Koreans have scored a string of upset World Cup victories over several contenders, including Saturday's controversial win over Spain, where the visiting team had a number of goals disallowed.

The co-hosts, without a match win in five previous finals, have stunned the 2002 tournament by reaching the semi-finals with a shock 5-3 win over Spain on penalties after a scoreless draw. (Match report)

Some Spanish players, echoing complaints by the Portuguese and Italians, said that calls during the match unfairly went against them. (Spanish coach slams referee)

PICTURE GALLERY Tears and cheers in quarterfinals    EXTRA INFORMATION Your say: Should referees' decisions be final?     QUICKVOTE Have the 'major mistakes' made by referees spoilt your enjoyment of the World Cup? Yes No View Results

Meanwhile Italian state TV, RAI, is threatening to sue FIFA after the national team was dumped out of the competition by South Korea in the second-round. (RAI to sue) (Italians livid)

FIFA has admitted its referees made "major mistakes" during the World Cup -- but world football's governing body has dismissed out of hand any conspiracy theories.(Mistakes made)

'Easy to blame referees'

South Korean coach Guus Hiddink has also rejected claims his team is being helped by conspiracy, saying the top teams should look at themselves before blaming officials.

"First, I can understand the emotions just after a game but second I think it's always good to look in the mirror... when you are a big team, you must punish a little team," Hiddink said on Sunday.

Hiddink was coach of the Netherlands team that did just that at the finals in 1998, trouncing South Korea 5-0. (Profile of the Dutch master)

"I think it's rather easy to go on blaming the referees or the linesmen," he said.

Hundreds of South Korean fans turned out to greet players as they arrived for training following Saturday's win over Spain.

A wave of football fever has swept the country, with some four million people taking to the streets in horn-honking, flag-waving, singing delight on Saturday night. (Whistles and firecrackers in Seoul)

"They are experiencing something they couldn't believe, something the experts couldn't believe," Hiddink said of the team's Red Devil fans. (Gallery)

"I think the reaction is very nice because it's a reaction of enjoyment, it's not violent...I think there were one or two injuries where people dislocated their shoulders waving flags."

No Korean team has ever made it to a semi-final game at the world cup. South Korea's success at the World Cup has also been shown in North Korea, in a rare move of solidarity with its one-time battlefield foe. (Full story)

More than 6.5 million South Korean soccer fans are expected to take to the streets to watch their team take on Germany on giant screens. (Full story)

German efficiency

Looking ahead, the South Korean coach said on Sunday he expected German efficiency to press his team to the limit in their World Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

After his team's surprise wins over Portugal, Italy and Spain, Hiddink said they would now have to focus on a brand of soccer from northern Europe lighter on style but dangerously clinical.

"The German team, I think, is physically very strong and they can also play very efficiently," the Dutchman told Reuters reporters after a light training session for the South Korea squad.

"They are even more focused on getting the efficiency."

"They are not so keen on playing very, very well in style (but) they are very dangerous, especially at set pieces."

The weather is expected to change dramatically this week in South Korea as seasonal monsoons began on Sunday, threatening rain before and possibly during Tuesday's match against Germany in Seoul.

Hiddink, who has fostered a speedy attack in training using sprinklers to moisten the pitch, said rain in moderation would help.

"The ideal circumstance is a little bit wet and then you get the fast play ... then the game is rising in quality."

South Korean midfielder Kim Nam-il and striker Ahn Jung-hwan both missed Sunday's practice and may be forced to sit on the sidelines during the semi-final clash.

Ahn's golden goal dispatched Italy and triggered his sacking by his incensed Italian side Perugia.

The World Cup final is set for Yokohama next Sunday between the winners of Tuesday's match and the victors in the Brazil-Turkey semi-final on Wednesday in Saitama, Japan.

The losing semi-finalists meet on Saturday in Taegu, South Korea, to settle third place.