Hiddink revolution takes Russia to uncharted territory

The Russian billionaire probably comforts himself in the knowledge that he is paying the salaries of both Guus Hiddink and Luiz Felipe Scolari.

But Abramovich always liked the idea of taking Hiddink to Stamford Bridge and it was purely for political reasons that the Chelsea owner had to leave the Dutchman in charge of Russia's national team.

Put simply, former President Vladimir Putin would have blocked any such approach.

Putin, the evidence would suggest, was right to put the country before his political ally's club because never has the modern-day Russia looked so strong.

Never before had they progressed beyond even the first round of a major tournament.

Red letter day: Hiddink (white shirt) celebrates as the final whistle seals Russia¿s win.

What Hiddink has achieved in guiding a third country to a semi-final is remarkable enough.

That he did it with a young, newly-assembled side against his much-fancied countrymen is staggering.

Here on Saturday, Russia were terrific, giving the so-called architects of Total Football a harsh lesson in how to play the game.

Inspired by the artistry of Andrei Arshavin, at this stage looking like the player of the tournament, they humbled Holland with goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko, Dmitri Torbinski and the aforementioned superstar from Zenit St Petersburg.

Two goals came in extra-time after Ruud van Nistelrooy had headed an equaliser in the 86th minute.

For Hiddink, who has also taken South Korea and Holland to the last four in World Cups, it represented proof not only of his tactical mastery but his ability to rebuild a team in a short space of time.

Sergei Semak, his captain, played no part in the qualifying campaign that amounted to Hiddink's first 14 months in the job and only Arshavin, Sergei Ignashevich, Konstantin Zyryanov, Alexander Anyukov and Igor Semshov remained in Hiddink's starting line-up against Holland from the side who lost 3-0 to England at Wembley last September.

Six new faces, no less, and now they are a far superior team to England. In Arshavin, Hiddink has his trump card.

Suspended for their opening games against Spain and Greece after a red card in the final qualifier against Andorra, he has emerged with man-of-the-match awards for his performances against Sweden as well as Holland.

Trump card: Arshavin has lit up the tournament

It is fast becoming clear why Hiddink described him as 'the cleverest player' he has worked with, and the 61-year-old Dutchman singled him out for more praise on Saturday.

'He wasn't even match fit but he has tremendous skill,' said Hiddink. 'The key thing is he knows how to dribble at defenders. They can run with him but can't attack him. Nature gave him that gift.

What of his reputation for being a 27-year-old prima donna?

'He has a name as a difficult human being but not to me,' said Hiddink.

'It's just nice to work with this guy because he's a natural winner.'

Whatever happens in Thursday's semi-final in Vienna, Hiddink was right about one thing before this tournament started.

'A sleeping giant is awakening,' he said.

It will be fascinating to see where their success takes them, whether or not the wealth of men like Abramovich is used to turn them into a European superpower of the global game.

At the last count, Russia boasted 110 billionaires, a number second only to the United States.

That suggests Russian clubs, as well as the national team, could grow rapidly in stature.

Only in Manchester last month, Arshavin's Zenit St Petersburg followed the CSKA Moscow side of 2005 in winning the UEFA Cup and it seems inevitable a Russian side will soon mount a serious challenge for the Champions League.

Abramovich has demonstrated at Chelsea that just about anything is possible with enough money.

On Saturday, Russia's victory was celebrated even in former Soviet republics such as Tajikistan and Georgia. The Russians, it would seem, are coming.