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Persianleague
- Jul 05, 2002
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AFC - South Korea reclaimed their place as Asia's top team in the FIFA rankings on Wednesday after their World Cup success and coach Guus Hiddink said he wants to take the best young players to Europe when he leaves.

The feat of becoming the first Asian team to reach the World Cup semi-finals catapulted South Korea from 40th to 22nd in the latest rankings of the international governing body.

They were two places ahead of World Cup co-hosts Japan who rose from 32nd to 24th position.

But Asia's other finalists did not fare so well. Saudi Arabia dropped four to 38th and China fell one to 51st. Both teams failed to get past the first stage.

As Dutchman Hiddink and the South Korean players received more accolades, the coach said he would go to the Netherlands next week to complete negotiations with PSV Eindhoven about becoming their manager again.

Hiddink said he wanted young members of South Korea's squad to experience top international leagues before the 2004 Olympics in Greece and 2006 World Cup in Germany.

"I want to help younger players who will be key members of the squad for 2004 and 2006 to get experience in European leagues," Hiddink told reporters.

The 54-year-old coach, who has become a national hero mobbed in the streets by teenagers, paid tribute to the spirit of the players he trained for just 18 months before the World Cup started last month.

"Sometimes I was moved by their performances and the things they did even in training. The way they gave themselves for their team amazed me.

"And that is why I don't want to walk away and say 'goodbye, we will never meet again'."

Hiddink said Eindhoven, where he has already been coach once, had agreed to release him occasionally to help South Korea.

The coach and players were given a tickertape parade Tuesday which drew hundreds of thousands of fans onto the streets of Seoul. At the end, Hiddink was made an honorary citizen of South Korea by President Kim Dae-Jung.

On Wednesday he was made an honorary citizen of Seoul and awarded with other gifts.

FIFA World Ranking
1. Brazil 852 points
2=. Argentina 784
2=. France 784
4.Spain 774
5.Germany 765
6.Mexico 739
7.Portugal 731
8.England 728
9.Colombia 725
10.Italy 720
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22. Korea Republic 664
24. Japan 658
33. Iran 634
38. Saudi Arabia 623
51. China PR 549