Hiddink praise for PSV show

Guus Hiddink was full of praise for his PSV Eindhoven team after their 2-0 victory over Turkey's Fenerbahce on Tuesday night and qualification for the Champions' League knock-out phase.

An early header by the club's captain, Philip Cocu, gave PSV the lead, while the Peruvian Jefferson Farfan sealed the win from close range with five minutes remaining in the game.

PSV won all three of their home matches in Europe and Hiddink will be very encouraged that they did not concede a goal during those three games.

Out of the past 11 matches at the Philips Stadion, the Dutch champions have won nine, with only Arsenal and the French club Lyon standing firm last season to escape with draws.

"When I came back to the Netherlands some years ago football had to be attractive, beautiful and nice," said Hiddink, who also last month led Australia to the 2006 World Cup finals with victory over Uruguay in a two-legged play-off.

"I was very annoyed by that opinion. If you want to play at the top, you have to change that. Your style has to be effective - and attractive is also important - but beautiful and nice are just not possible at this level."

Midway through the first half Ibrahim Afellay had to pull out of the game with a groin injury and Hiddink did not hesitate to bring on the 17-year-old Ismail Aissati, who had already impressed during the 1-0 home win over last season's beaten finalists Milan.

"I really enjoyed Aissati's performance," Hiddink said. "Despite his age he knows exactly what it is all about.

"He is a product from our youth department, just like Afellay. A few years ago there were some doubts at PSV what to do with the youth programme because nobody was coming through, but now we have created the right conditions for the youth to develop."