Guus Hiddink will use his inside knowledge and magic trying to mastermind the downfall of his native Netherlands when Russia take on the high-flying Group C winners in the third Euro 2008 quarterfinal on Saturday.
The Dutch have been the team of the tournament so far, emerging from the so-called "Group of Death" with stylish defeats of Italy, France and Romania and whoever faces them will be considered a sacrificed lamb.
Hiddink, however, said that he was relishing the task of facing his countrymen in Basel.
The 61-year-old knows about how the inner-workings of the Dutch set-up, having previously having coached them himself, and is hoping to use that inside knowledge to his advantage.
"It's going to be an interesting match," he said, "because we know Holland well and what kind of players they are."
"Hopefully it's going to be a clash between two nations who like to play football.
"It's very hard to say whether we can beat Holland but one thing is for sure we can't wait to face them."
Russia were criticized on the heavy opening defeat, 4-1 by Spain but they soon recovered and the 2-0 win over Sweden has made people sit up and take note.
Hiddink has a full-strength team to pick from in the first competitive game between the two sides, including talisman Andrei Arshavin who returned from a two-match ban with a goal against Sweden.
Marco van Basten's Oranje also have come through their injury problems, with Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben starting against Romania and showing no ill-effects, giving the hero of the 1988 final victory over the USSR a wealth of options.
The Dutch have an advantage of longer recovery as nearly all starters were rested in the Romania match after the opening two victories had already sent them through as group winners.
But Hiddink, as always, will not be afraid of attacking.
"The Netherlands are far ahead in experience, in how to play a tournament," Hiddink said.
"I am scared as well, that's why I have to attack - if you drop back, you get even more scared.
"In recent months and weeks in Russia, we have tried to install the sort of play people love to watch. For Holland it is a brand, for Russia we had to impose it but we are on our way." he said.
Van Basten, who was encouraged to go into coaching by Hiddink when the latter was in charge of the Netherlands, noted his compatriot's vow to press forward.
"I wish him good luck! These are two teams who try to attack. We have the same idea so we will see who is stronger," he said.
"We are satisfied up to now. But it is only the beginning and we have to play a few more games hopefully," added the former striker, reflecting on his side's campaign.
Russia have supplied a gap in the woeful defending in last week's opener against Spain and the much-improved performance in the following matches invited praise from around the world.
Whatever happens against the Dutch, Hiddink has made history by guiding the Russians to their first major tournament appearance in the knockout stages since competing solely as Russia; which has been the case since 1992.
BASEL, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Guus Hiddink will use his inside knowledge and magic trying to mastermind the downfall of his native Netherlands when Russia take on the high-flying Group C winners in the third Euro 2008 quarterfinal on Saturday.
The Dutch have been the team of the tournament so far, emerging from the so-called "Group of Death" with stylish defeats of Italy, France and Romania and whoever faces them will be considered a sacrificed lamb.
Hiddink, however, said that he was relishing the task of facing his countrymen in Basel.
The 61-year-old knows about how the inner-workings of the Dutch set-up, having previously having coached them himself, and is hoping to use that inside knowledge to his advantage.
"It's going to be an interesting match," he said, "because we know Holland well and what kind of players they are."
"Hopefully it's going to be a clash between two nations who like to play football.
"It's very hard to say whether we can beat Holland but one thing is for sure we can't wait to face them."
Russia were criticized on the heavy opening defeat, 4-1 by Spain but they soon recovered and the 2-0 win over Sweden has made people sit up and take note.
Hiddink has a full-strength team to pick from in the first competitive game between the two sides, including talisman Andrei Arshavin who returned from a two-match ban with a goal against Sweden.
Marco van Basten's Oranje also have come through their injury problems, with Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben starting against Romania and showing no ill-effects, giving the hero of the 1988 final victory over the USSR a wealth of options.
The Dutch have an advantage of longer recovery as nearly all starters were rested in the Romania match after the opening two victories had already sent them through as group winners.
But Hiddink, as always, will not be afraid of attacking.
"The Netherlands are far ahead in experience, in how to play a tournament," Hiddink said.
"I am scared as well, that's why I have to attack - if you drop back, you get even more scared.
"In recent months and weeks in Russia, we have tried to install the sort of play people love to watch. For Holland it is a brand, for Russia we had to impose it but we are on our way." he said.
Van Basten, who was encouraged to go into coaching by Hiddink when the latter was in charge of the Netherlands, noted his compatriot's vow to press forward.
"I wish him good luck! These are two teams who try to attack. We have the same idea so we will see who is stronger," he said.
"We are satisfied up to now. But it is only the beginning and we have to play a few more games hopefully," added the former striker, reflecting on his side's campaign.
Russia have supplied a gap in the woeful defending in last week's opener against Spain and the much-improved performance in the following matches invited praise from around the world.
Whatever happens against the Dutch, Hiddink has made history by guiding the Russians to their first major tournament appearance in the knockout stages since competing solely as Russia; which has been the case since 1992.
Source:Xinhua
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