Hiddink - Korea will be fitter than Spain (Allsport)

By David Anderson, PA Sport, Daejeon

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Guus Hiddink has warned Spain to expect a real battle in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final in Gwangju, claiming no team can out-hustle South Korea.

Korea gave a potent demonstration of their fighting qualities on Tuesday when they battled back from a goal down to beat Italy with a golden-goal winner from Ahn Jung-hwan.

Hiddink feels this incredible work ethic is one of the main qualities of his history-making side who are bidding to become the first Asian team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

"We maybe lack a little bit of experience still and the Spanish team has built up a lot of experience over a long time," said the Korean coach.

"Their players play in the tough leagues in Europe, but out-hustle us on work-rate? There's no team that can do that.

"That on its own is no guarantee for a win and there are many other aspects of the game.

"But in work-rate, there are few other teams who can match us."

Lee Young-pyo agreed with Hiddink and praised the Dutchman's immense contribution to the team.

"Our results in the World Cup have been a combination of a lot of things," said the Anyang midfielder.

"Things like the strategy and tactics of the coach and the coach knows how to get the best out of us.

"There is also the effort from the players, the support from the government and the Korean FA and not forgetting the marvellous support from the fans.

"So what we have achieved is down to the whole Korean people and not just the team.

"Our confidence has increased with each win and we are ready to play even harder against Spain."

Korea's chances of recording yet another historic win against Spain could rise if Raul is not fit to play.

The striker, who has scored three goals in the tournament, is struggling to recover from a groin injury and coach Jose Antonio Camacho - who has already lost Valencia defender David Albelda with an inflamed testicle - will not risk him unless he is 100 0.000000it.

Camacho, though, is adamant Spain are not a one-man team and even if Raul is ruled out he would still have the options of either Deportivo La Coruna's Diego Tristan or Real Mallorca's Albert Luque alongside Fernando Morientes.

Hiddink has his own injury worries and defender Kim Tae-young broke his nose against Italy, while midfielder Kim Nam-il twisted his ankle.

Camacho claims he has learnt from Korea's wins over Portugal and Italy and he feels it is important Spain take their chances and not waste them like the Azzurri did.

"We have to play our own game, not carry the ball too much, but move it as you should," he said.

"We have to take the chances Italy couldn't take, because Korea are a team that move a lot, they rob a lot of possession and are always close to your area. They don't create many chances, but they take them."

Just ask Poland, the United States, Portugal and Italy.