There's something about Gus

I just have a thought. If ever Malaysia wants to qualify for the World Cup, and reach the semifinals, all they need to do is hire Gus Hiddink as their coach.

It's a sure win plan.

Hiddink is a miracle. A master tactician. A superb coach. In World Cup 1998, he guided the Dutch team into the semifinals. In World Cup 2002, he guided South Korea to the semifinals. South Korea, a football team from Asia! Along the way, the Korean disposed the fancy Portuguese, Italians and Spanish. They were undone by Germany in the semis, but reaching the semis was a big achievement for them already. Gus Hiddink was a hero, and he will be welcomed and treated like the king anytime he wishes to move to Korea.

In World Cup 2006, he tried his hands at the Aussies, guiding them to the second round. They lost that match to Italy, who went all the way to win the Cup.

And now, in Euro 2008, he's at his best again with Russia. The Russians already disposed off the talented English team during the qualifying, outplaying the idiotic Steve McLaren and his dummies. McLaren has been out of job eversince, and recently, he has agreed to coach a Dutch team FC Twente. No team in England wanted him, for his crimes against the nation.

And earlier this morning, Russia beat the Netherlands 3-1 in extra time to advance to the semifinals. Another major semifinals for Hiddink. Another giant killer to add into his already impressive resume. Holland was one of the clear favourites to reach the finals of this tournament. The trashed Italy and France comprehensively and beat Romania using their second strings in the group stages. But as always have been the case, they peaked too early, and stumbled in the knock-out stages. Under-achiever, that will always be remembered of them. They have world class players from world class clubs, but yet again, their poor defence was their undoing.

If we can pay billions to put an idiot into space, I'm sure we can pay Hiddink the right amount of money to guide us into the World Cup. And I think having a Malaysian team in the World Cup is worth a thousand more than having a Malaysian in space. Anyone can be in space nowadays, with the right amount of money.

But to qualify for the World Cup, and do well in it, now that is indeed something huge.