Ex-S. Korean coach Hiddink hopes football can heal wounds of ferry accident

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, July 24 (Yonhap) -- As he readied to coach in a South Korean professional football All-Star Game, Guus Hiddink, the Dutchman who led South Korea to unprecedented heights at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, on Thursday offered his condolences to victims of a deadly ferry sinking, saying he hoped the sport could heal wounds from the tragedy.

Hiddink is in Seoul to coach a team captained by Park Ji-sung, a retired South Korean football icon who played for Hiddink at the 2002 World Cup, when the team reached the semifinals. They will face the K League Classic All-Stars at 8 p.m. on Friday at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

At a pre-match press conference on the eve of the match, Hiddink said he'd agreed to participate in the occasion to pay respect to those affected by the April sinking of the ferry Sewol.

"When I met Ji-sung recently, we talked about the tragedy that happened a few months ago with the ferry," Hiddink said of the accident that left more than 300 people dead or missing. "I expressed my feelings that I would love to participate in this memorial game for the tragedy that has happened."

Hiddink also lauded the commitment shown by Park and other organizations to help the families of the victims.

"We always think that life is much more important than football," Hiddink said. "If, through this memorial game, we can do something to relieve this tremendous pain, then football must be helpful. That's the main reason that I am here to participate."

With Park about to bid his final farewell to the sport, Hiddink extolled the virtues of one of his prized pupils. In particular, Hiddink said Park, who made his professional debut in Japan, made a smart choice in not making the direct jump from Asia to the Premier League, instead choosing to hone his skills with PSV Eindhoven under Hiddink in the Netherlands.

"Many Korean players dream of playing in the Premier League. But he knew very well that when you make the direct step from Asia to the Premier League, it would be a very difficult step," the coach said. "I think he made a very wise step to go to another league (in the Netherlands), which was a very competitive league but not as competitive as the Premier League."

Hiddink recalled that Park struggled with "a little injury" in his first month with PSV Eindhoven but he overcame his early slump with "tremendous dedication."

"I remember quite well that there was a certain point when we were talking about going back to Japan or Korea, or fighting back after an operation for the next step in his career," Hiddink said. "He chose the second option. For me, that's proof that with his quality and his tremendous dedication, he wanted to succeed in European football. Afterwards, interests came from where his dreams were, and he made a beautiful career. I think he made the right strategies to become a world class player."

Asked to offer Park some advice on his post-playing career, Hiddink said, "He's wise enough to do what he considers to be good after his retirement."

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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