Gus Hiddink and Graham Poll

The most entertaining match of the World Cup occurred last night - Croatia v Australia. Essentially, the winner went through, with Australia going through if they drew.

From Gus Hiddink's record:
European Cup winners with PSV Eindhoven
Success in Spain
Holland to Semi Final in France 98
S. Korea to Semi Final in Japan/Korea 2002
Australia to 2nd round (at least) in Germany 2006

He now moves to coach Russia to the next European Championships. Is he the most successful international coach of recent times?

However, Graham Poll didn't do quite so well last night:

• Missed cast iron penalty for rugby tackle on Australian player in the box.
  
• Gave penalty for handball by Croatian in the box
  
• Missed penalty for handball by Croatian in the box
  
• Gave 2 yellow cards to Josep Simunic without sending him off, then eventually gave him a third yellow (and thus red) after the final whistle had blown. Simunic turned and started to head for the tunnel before carrying on when he wasn't shown the red card.
  
• Allowed the final Australian goal when 2 players were each half a yard off-side.
  
• Allowed himself to be man-handled and rattled by Simonic when sending Simic off for a second yellow card.
  
• Didn't punish the Croatians when they twice pushed and shoved him.
  
• He completely lost control of the Australia - Croatia game in the final seconds, disallowing an Australian goal which should have stood (from the advantage rule) or else a penalty should have been given. Heblew the final whistle just as this winning goal was going in and Tim Cahill was running away in celebration.
  
• He lost the plot with a throw-in when 2 balls were on the pitch and eventually reversed the decision to give the throw to Australia (it should have been their throw to start with).
  
• His excuse (on the late night MOTD) for giving three yellows to Simunic was that on eof them was given to Simic. If it was the first Simunic card, then Simic got 3 yellows. It could not have been the second one as Simic had already been sent off!
  
• In the Togo - Korea game, Poll gave a Togo player a red card before the yellow... (v Korea).

He was however, correct in sending off both Dario Simic (Croatia) and Brett Emerton (Australia) for 2 clearly bookable offences. He at least got one of the three clear penalties for Australia. He was also correct in not allowing the Australian goal claimed when 2 Croatians and 2 Australians dived on top of the Croatian goalkeeper but the ball didn't quite cross the line.

It all evens itself out though, and Australia got one goal allowed which should have been disallowed, and one disallowed which should have been allowed. Simunic didn't affect the play during the minutes he should not have been on the pitch. The right team went through to the 2nd round, even if Australia should probably have won the game.