World Cup 2010

Switzerland Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld: Going To The World Cup Is Like A Dream Come True

The Swiss coach has expressed his delight with his side's performance...

Oct 15, 2009 3:39:13 PM

Bundesliga: Ottmar Hitzfeld, Bayern München (AFP)

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Bundesliga: Ottmar Hitzfeld, Bayern München (AFP)

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Switzerland secured qualification for South Africa by picking up a draw in their final World Cup qualifier against Israel on Wednesday, much to the delight of national coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

"My father would have been extremely proud if he knew that I managed to achieve a success like this. Switzerland is our nation of birth and is way more important than my period at Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund," Hitzfeld said to Swiss reporters.

"I have always dreamed of making it to the World Cup, so this is like a dream come true for me. This really is a special performance from the Swiss team.

"It is even better for me that we secured qualification in Basel. I was born only ten minutes away from the stadium. That makes an achievement like this even more intense.

"[Bayern Munich general manager] Uli Hoeness always told me that going to Switzerland was a mistake, as it was impossible to achieve anything with the Swiss team. However, I have always been convinced that we could make it."

Stefan Coerts, Goal.com

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