Proud Hiddink not resting on laurels
Thursday, 19 Jun 2008 10:40
Guus Hiddink expresses pride in players after Russian team qualifies for knockout stages of Euro 2008
Guus Hiddink has told his Russia team not to relax after they achieved their pre-Euro 2008 goal of reaching the quarter-finals.
Russia qualified for the knockout stages after an accomplished 2-0 victory over group D rivals Sweden in Innsbruck last night.
Despite the impressive nature of the win however few people will give the Russians much chance against last-eight opponents the Netherlands, who beat Italy, France and Romania to progress from their group.
"We're very proud of what the team have achieved in this tournament," Hiddink said after goals in either half from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Andrei Arshavin saw his team progress.
"But that's not enough," he continued. "The next goal is the Dutch."
Hiddink is realistic enough to accept the Netherlands hold the advantage after coach Marco van Basten was able to rest a host of players in their defeat of Romania with qualification already wrapped up.
"Our problem is we only have two days to recuperate," Hiddink, a former coach of the Netherlands, said.
Hiddink went on to say on last night's victory: "This is a huge win for a side still under construction. It gives me real pleasure to work with them.
"In the course of the past three weeks these youngsters have learnt a lot."