Guus Hiddink has South Korea believing (Allsport).

By David Anderson, PA Sport, Seoul

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South Korea prepared to face Germany today in the World Cup semi-final with coach Guus Hiddink claiming they no longer fear European sides.

Hiddink feels the Koreans used to have an inferiority complex when it came to playing European teams.

When he became coach he set about breaking down that barrier by deliberately playing these sides and he believes Korea's victories in this World Cup over Poland, Portugal, Italy and Spain prove it is no longer a problem.

Hiddink said: "When I started this job I knew through information I had received that Korea didn't want to play against European sides. They had a false respect for European teams.

"They felt inferior in all aspects of the game - the physical part, the mental part and the tactical part.

"I had a strategy and I said I wanted to play against the stronger European teams.

"It's true that we got blown away in a lot of them, but the players kept on going and all of a sudden they realised they were not being so outplayed and that they were not so inferior.

"We grew as a team and as personalities, and they don't fear European teams now.

"They have respect, but it's not like before where they more or less stopped playing because they allowed themselves to be intimidated. This is a very important development for Korean football."

The whole of Korea - and Hiddink included - can scarcely believe how well the team have done in becoming the first Asian side ever to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

But as delighted as Hiddink is at the co-hosts' unexpected achievement he would not be happy to lose to Germany in Seoul's World Cup stadium.

Hiddink lost to Brazil in the semi-finals of France 98 with Holland and he knows how painful it feels to be defeated at this stage.

"Of course we're happy and satisfied to have come this far, but it would not be satisfying to sit back and think that's it," he said.

"There are not many second chances at this level in sport, and we want to go for the ultimate prize.

"We know we're playing against one of the world's real footballing powers, but we will go for it."

Hiddink was due to give late fitness checks to star striker Ahn Jung-hwan and midfielders Kim Nam-il and Yoo Sang-chul.

Ahn managed to train yesterday for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in Saturday's quarter-final win over Spain, but Hiddink claims he is still doubtful.

If Ahn, who is Korea's top scorer in the tournament with two goals, cannot play he is likely to be replaced by veteran striker Hwang Sun-hong.

Kim's ankle is still sore after he twisted it a week ago against Italy, while Yoo picked up a knock against Spain.

Hiddink has relied heavily on these players and was desperate not to lose them for what was set to be the biggest game in Korea's history.