“If You Lose, Behave Like a Gentleman” — Hiddink Delivers a Refreshing Rebuke to Italy for Blaming the Referee 24 Years Later

[Financial News] Former South Korea national football team coach Guus Hiddink said, “If you lose, you should behave like a gentleman,” criticizing Italian football circles for continuing to raise controversy over the officiating in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match 24 years later.
According to Italian football outlets including Gianluca Di Marzio.com on the 9th, former coach Guus Hiddink recently shared his views in an interview on the refereeing controversy surrounding the Round of 16 match between South Korea and Italy.
South Korea defeated Italy 2-1 in the Round of 16 at Daejeon World Cup Stadium on June 18, 2002. After conceding the opening goal to Christian Vieri in the 18th minute, South Korea equalized through Seol Ki-hyeon in the 43rd minute of the second half. Ahn Jung-hwan then scored the golden goal in extra time to secure a place in the quarterfinals.
Italy began questioning the decisions of referee Byron Moreno immediately after the defeat. The main points of contention were Francesco Totti’s dismissal in extra time after receiving a second yellow card for simulation, and Damiano Tommasi’s goal being disallowed for offside.
During the interview, the Italian side asked a question to the effect of, “Wasn’t Byron Moreno wearing a South Korea national football team jersey under his referee uniform?” Former coach Guus Hiddink responded, “I don’t like that kind of question. It reflects a one-sided view.”
He countered, “If you want to argue that way, Vieri should have been booked in the first half for using his elbow. Moreno didn’t see that either.” He added, “It is easy to shift the blame onto the referee.”
Former coach Guus Hiddink stressed that Italy should look elsewhere for the reason behind its defeat. Referring to Paolo Maldini, Totti, Gianluigi Buffon and Vieri, he said, “Italy was a team with tremendous potential at the time,” and added, “With great players like that, they should have overwhelmed South Korea.”
He continued, “South Korea had confidence and played at a high tempo. Italy did not expect such strong resistance from us.”
He then pointedly remarked, “I’ll say it again: Italy should have won easily. But it didn’t.”
Hiddink was also asked whether Ahn Jung-hwan had turned his back on Italian football, which had helped develop him. Former coach Guus Hiddink reportedly responded, “Then should we have told him not to play? Should we have told him not to score?”
He emphasized, “He played for South Korea because he is Korean. This is sport.”
[email protected] Seong Min-seo Reporter