After a dull opening draw with Switzerland, France are irritable. Thierry Henry has rebuked Franck Ribéry for not playing passes into his path. Zinédine Zidane has told coach Raymond Dome- nech that he wants David Trézéguet brought in and a switch from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2.
Advocaat has a chance to act the underdog and is loving it. Heroics are required to live up to the legacy of Guus Hiddink, his Dutch compatriot. After taking his team to the semi-finals four years ago, Hiddink was given free flights on Korean airlines for the rest of his life and had a stadium renamed after him. At half-time against Togo last Tuesday, with his team 1-0 down, all that seemed to be waiting for Advocaat was opprobrium.
Then he invoked the spirit of 2002 by sending on Ahn Jung-Hwan. The striker scored the golden goal that knocked out Italy in the second round, to the outrage of Luciano Gaucci, Perugia’s president, who sacked him, saying he had “no intention of paying someone who has ruined Italian soccer”. Perhaps that is why Ahn is already looking to move from MSV Duisburg, his German club, this summer. Any suitors would have been impressed by his performance against Togo. After coming on as a half-time substitute, he scored the winner.
The South Korean media’s expectations are still high after a qualifying campaign that claimed two coaches. Humberto Coelho, the Portuguese, went after a 0-0 draw in the Maldives. Jo Bonfrere, another Dutchman, was dismissed after they lost their final qualifier at home to Saudi Arabia. “They wanted a Dutchman again,” admits Advocaat. “I’ve had a great time, everybody is positive. We have great fans.”
After dealing with the schisms of a Dutch squad, Advocaat has welcomed the unity of the South Koreans. Hiddink had to create a “sub-culture” because respect for your elders is so important in Korean society that younger players wouldn’t dare shout instructions to veterans.
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“It is easier to work with them because they are very disciplined and team spirit is unbelievable,” says Advocaat. “Other teams might have more individual talent, but if we play as a unit, then this is a dangerous side.”