SEOUL, 25 June — The tension was growing to feverish levels here yesterday ahead of the following day’s World Cup semifinal between South Korea and Germany.

As the players trained for one last time before the match, rain fell on the South Korean capital signaling that today’s match at the Seoul World Cup Stadium could be drenched.

But with police estimating seven million people across South Korea will gather on the streets today to roar Guus Hiddink’s team to victory against the three-time winners, it will take more than a drop of rain to dampen their spirits.

Hiddink insisted the pressure was off his side after their amazing run to the last four — the first time an Asian nation has come this far.

“People can have their expectations of course,” he said. “But there was more pressure when the whole nation, when everyone, said ‘please, please, bring us a first victory in I don’t know how many years,’” said Hiddink.

Korea had never even won a match at the World Cup finals before this tournament.

This time as co-hosts with Japan they have seen off Poland, Portugal, Italy and Spain. And Hiddink believes the fans’ rising expectations will not cause his team to buckle.

“The team is not going to be paralyzed. I think now Korea have nothing to lose. They have gone beyond the expectations of everyone. It’s just another step,” he said.

Germany coach Rudi Voller said he was confident his side would raise their game.

The Germans have shown indifferent form since hammering Saudi Arabia 8-0 in their opener and only beat Paraguay and then the United States 1-0.

Voeller has demanded a big improvement.

“Maybe our last match wasn’t too good but we can raise our game and I’m sure we will come through. Few people thought that we would get this far,” he said.

“It is tough to get to the semis but here we are in the last four and once you are there you always have a chance.”

The Red Devils, South Korea’s fanatical supporters, have promised that Germany will get the shock of their lives when they walk out for the match.

Kim Yong-il, head of the Seoul Chapter of the Red Devils, said members were working on a giant slogan that will “really shock the world”.

Kim said it would be even more provocative than the “Again 1966” card display that thousands of fans put up in the second round match against Italy in reference to Italy’s 1-0 defeat by North Korea at the 1966 finals.

Meanwhile, Brazil star Ronaldo insisted he would be fit to start against Turkey in the second World Cup semifinal, in Saitama, Japan, tomorrow.

The injury-plagued 25-year-old was substituted in last week’s quarterfinal win over England after picking up a thigh strain.

But after coming through a light training session unscathed, the Inter Milan star said although he was still not 100 percent fit he would definitely start the match.

“I’ll be ready for Turkey, there is no doubt in my mind about that,” said Ronaldo. “It’s a relief for me that I could train so easily. I have another day of rest and so by Wednesday I will be fine.”

Turkey defender Alpay Ozalan, who was sent off in his side’s controversial first match with Brazil, said he was determined to make amends when the two sides meet again. Alpay got his marching orders for pulling Luizao’s shirt in the incident which earned Brazil an 86th-minute match-winning penalty.

Television replays showed the foul took place outside the box.

The match ended in further controversy when Brazilian playmaker Rivaldo helped get Hakan Unsal sent off by pretending he had been hit in the face when the Turkish player kicked the ball at his legs.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if the referee had been fair to both teams we would have won that match,” Alpay said yesterday.