Hiddink hails PSV players
Guus Hiddink is amazed at PSV's progression to the Champions League semi-final.
PSV coach Guus Hiddink has hailed his side's progression to the UEFA Champions League semi-final as nothing short of remarkable.The runaway Eredivisie leaders saw off a resilient Lyon side on penalties on Wednesday night to carry on their successful season under the former South Korea coach.
Under Hiddink PSV have overcome a difficult summer in which they lost key players to develop into a dangerous outfit over the course of the current campaign.
Arjen Robben, Mateja Kezman and Dennis Rommedahl all departed to The Premiership whilst Hiddink boosted his squad with the likes of Jefferson Farfan, Alex and Heurelho Gomes, goalkeeping hero of the 4-2 shootout win.
However Hiddink, who led PSV to their previous European Cup triumph in 1988, singled out Dutch veteran midfielder Philip Cocu for making a huge impact after returning to the Philips Stadion after a spell with Spanish giants Barcelona.
"If you see where this team started in August with qualifying for the Champions League as the main target and now we're in the semi-final, it is almost unthinkable the development this team went through and what they achieved," said Hiddink.
"Everything worked out like it should. The new players brought freshness and were eager to learn something.
"They all didn't have a big ego but just the ability to adjust to the team.
"But also the return of Philip Cocu was a main part in this success. He brought experience, while he still is very ambitious."
The Eindhoven outfit will now probably face Milan in the semi-finals, although Uefa must still confirm what sanctions will be applied to Internazionale after crown violence in the Italian quarter final derby.
