Balloons are released in the air as South Korean soccer fans cheer in Seoul

SEOUL , June 22 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - South Korean coach Guus Hiddink hit back Saturday, June 22, at critics who claim the referees have been biased towards his team during their magical march into the World Cup semi-finals, news agencies reported.

"That is not fair," said Hiddink. "Errors are made, by players, by coaches and by referees and linesmen. The losing team should look in the mirror. Not look to external circumstances."

Controversy has followed South Korea following their shock golden goal win over Italy and then their penalty shoot-out victory over Spain on Saturday to set-up a semi-final clash with Germany .

Spanish players claimed they were robbed of victory after they had two 'goals' disallowed.

Millions of South Koreans went into raptures Saturday as their team created history, beating Spain 5-3 on penalties to become the first Asian side ever to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

Skipper Hong Myung-Bo became Korea 's hero when he blasted home the winning penalty past Spanish keeper Iker Casillas after Spain 's Joaquin had missed his spot-kick.

While Hong was being hugged by his teammates a tearful Joaquin was led off the field by teammates trying to console him.

Joaquin missed as goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae guessed correctly and dived to his left to maintain an amazing record. Lee has faced seven penalty shootouts for his club Suwon Bluewings - and he has won the lot.

After defying all expectations, the South Koreans now meet Germany in Seoul on Tuesday for a place in the final in Yokohama , Japan , on June 30.

That match is likely to see even more people take to the streets than the estimated five million who watched on giant screens nationwide on Saturday.

Some two million fans, nicknamed the 'Red Devils', were already chanting in the streets of central Seoul long before kickoff and the capital is likely to be totally clogged with supporters in what has become a feeding frenzy of national pride, heightened by the elimination of co-hosts Japan at the last 16 stage on Tuesday.

Spain had been seeking to reach the World Cup semi-finals for only the second time and luck had been on their side in the previous round as they saw off Ireland in a shootout.

This time the Koreans, whose scarlet-shirted fans went wild at the end, having been on the edge of their seats during 120 minutes which had failed to produce a goal.

"I am so happy for the boys who fought to the end," said Korea 's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink.

The Koreans had to fight tooth and nail for their win, however, as Spain dominated most of the encounter.

And the Spanish issued a sour parting shot as they claimed they were robbed of victory after Egyptian referee Gamal Ghandour disallowed two goals.

Ruben Baraja had nodded into the net via a deflection off Kim Tae Young for the Spaniards five minutes after the interval but Ghandour had already blown for shirt tugging.

Fernando Morientes then also headed home two minutes into extra-time from a Joaquin cross - yet Ghandour's assistant referee Michael Ragoonath of Trinidad and Tobago had flagged for a goalkick even though the ball had not crossed the goalline.

Bitter Spanish keeper Casillas implied that referees had been favoring the Koreans throughout the tournament.

"We'd already seen this when South Korea played against the United States, Portugal and Italy," he stormed.

Spanish coach Jose Antonio Camacho tried to be diplomatic.

"We fought hard but luck was not with us. But I am sad as we fought hard for 120 minutes and lost unjustly. This isn't good for football."

"It happened to Italy, and us as well. They've stolen qualification from us," shrieked an irate commentator on private television channel Antena3 who were showing the match live.

Another said Spain had simply paid the price of playing against one of the tournament co-hosts.

"Italy warned us about it - when you play against one of the teams involved in hosting the tournament you have to be prepared to pay a price," lamented another commentator on public radio.

Egyptian referee Gamal Ghandour in particular came under fire.

"Until now, the refereeing (in the tournament) has been suspect, but this is simply shameful," cried other commentators after one of Spain's goals was disallowed.

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