The New York Times put an extensive coverage to South Korean national soccer team's head coach Guus Hiddink saying that he is being treated as sort of hero by South Koreans especially after the Korean team demonstrated brilliant performances in the 2002 World Cup. The paper said the Korean people is trying to set up the Dutch-born coach like an idol wishing him to become a naturalized citizen. The paper also quoted a Korean soccer fan as saying that Hiddink has set the standard for the Korean people as a role model by employing players not by connection but by competency and accomplishments.