Samsung supports spokesman

<p>SEOUL: Korea's largest credit card company has thrown its support </p><p>behind its embattled spokesperson, Guus Hiddink, the Dutch-born coach of </p><p>the Korean national soccer team. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Samsung Card is feeling the effects of Hiddink's poor performance - the </p><p>company recently signed the coach to an exclusive sponsorship contract, </p><p>reportedly worth one billion won (US$7.7 million), to appear in a </p><p>series of TV commercials over the next two years. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The first spots were filmed in May at Seoul's Chamsil Stadium and </p><p>featured the taciturn coach glaring at the camera while promising to do </p><p>his best and not to let Korea down. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, Hiddink failed to keep that promise on August 15 when the </p><p>Korean national team was trounced 5-0 by the Czech Republic in a </p><p>friendly match. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The loss comes on the heels of a miserable showing by Korea in the </p><p>Confederation Cup tournament in June, just a year before Korea is </p><p>scheduled to host the 2002 World Cup along with Japan. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Following the loss to the Czech team, local papers had carried articles </p><p>saying that Samsung was planning to pull the ads because many viewers </p><p>were switching channels at the sight of Hiddink. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Samsung Card said it would continue to air the spots. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Emotions run high after a loss," said Lee Jung-un, a spokesperson for </p><p>Cheil Communications, which created the campaign. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"But Hiddink will remain one of the top figures in Korean sports for </p><p>some time to come." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>At least until 2002, anyway. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>