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Pusanweb World Cup 2002
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Friday May 31st ~ Saturday June 1st ~ Sunday June 2nd ~ Monday June 3rd ~ Tuesday June 4th ~ Wednesday June 5th ~ Thursday June 6th ~ Friday June 7th ~ Saturday June 8th ~ Sunday June 9th ~ Monday June 10th ~ Tuesday June 11th ~ Wednesday June 12th ~ Thursday June 13th ~ Friday June 14th ~ Saturday June 15th ~ Sunday June 16th ~ Monday June 17th ~ Tuesday June 18th ~ Wednesday June 19th ~ Thursday June 20th ~ Friday June 21st ~ Saturday June 22nd ~ Sunday June 23rd ~ Monday June 24th ~ Tuesday June 25th ~ Wednesday June 26th ~ Thursday June 27th ~ Friday June 28th ~ Saturday June 29th ~ Sunday June 30th JOHNNY HOTSPUR'S WORLD CUP DIARY
Friday May 31stFirst day of the World Cup, so let's all drop our lives and get into the awesome fun now because this is it! Like-minded people coming together and people getting along... who would dare to ruin the great event? So I want to watch the tournament in bars & pubs. Among the Koreans. (Not like them, just among them.) Tonight's opener I saw in Gallery PFO, who are supposed to have a big screen but it turns out to be a big telly. No mind, it's good enough for me; a bit of a surreal place to watch it, among art types wearing suits talking about Paul Klee, but at least the place is airy and the bar snacks were outstanding. Am I getting off the point a bit here? The Opening Ceremony was sweet and hearty and hats off to the Koreans for organising that. The game was France v Senegal. Strutty France v Giant Senegal. France, thinking they're going to walk the World Cup with their art football start the game playing like winners elect. They hit the post through Trezeguet, whose face says it all: it says oh! We're only going to win 9-0 now. Nevermind! But of course we all know Senegal bruised their way to a 1-0 victory with their big-hearted amateur approach, their rock star coach and their classy dance when they scored. The goalscorer takes his shirt off and they all dance around it like it is the shirt of a god. Were they having a laugh? They made me laugh! Saturday June 1st
Train from Busan to Ulsan, for the Uruguay v Denmark game. Busan Station early in the morning was an amazing colourful riot of great volunteers singing songs. Dancing for foreign teams, friendly, approachable attitude, brilliant. I wanted to stay there all day but thought no, football ticket in pocket, must use. Ulsan was much quieter though, but the foreign fans were cool. Met some Uruguayans who I had coffee with in the morning and talked football - boy did they know their football, but so do I so a great chat we had. The Danes were there in the hundreds and made themselves heard just as much, just in a Northern European way. Meaning they never had any drums, and were openly drunk. Happy though, obviously. Thought Uruguay were a really good, young team, although they lost this one 2-1 against a fitter, stronger Danish side. How good is Recoba though? He's just brilliant basically, and many a time he went on a mazy run. Dario Silva looks a bit like a cocaine dealer, the hungry look, you know. Not that I know what one of those looks like, but the ones in Miami Vice all looked like him. But he never scored. (Get it?) The Danes were doing a conga before the game, with their (cliche now) face paint but still looked funny, especially when they went on stage during a solo concerto and circled the violinist. Football eh, bloody hell. Koreans never showed Ireland v Cameroon until we went over there and "kicked their ass". Basically, I Johnny Hotspur went and told the guy look mate, Korea looks really disorganised with that big screen turned off during the game. Turn it on and save Korea. Save Korea! So they looked stressed (the way they do) for about twenty minutes then turned it on for the second half. He's probably going to lose his job now and be the scapegoat for the ticketing fiasco, but as he's just a volunteer who cares? What can they say? "Give us back our complimentary t-shirts and go...!" Ireland were magnificent and fighting. Or is that Highting? I can't remember how you say English words anymore. They drew 1-1 with Cameroon and played super. Germany later on beat Saudi Arabia 8-0 but it was tedious. Doesn't Cha Bum Gun, the Korean presenter on MBC look like Frankenstein? Sunday June 2nd
For the first time ever, Korea has Danes sleeping in their train stations. What do they think this is, Europe? I went to Ulsan Station and there they were the scum, all on the floor! Anyway... Not the best World Cup day, today, the weather in Busan is rubbish and the opening game here is the same. Paraguay 2 South Africa 2 sounds like a thriller and Paraguay are a good team but with the lovely big stadium only about a third full and next to no foreign fans it was a bit disappointing. When South Africa equalized their players jumped over the hoardings and over to their fans, only to find they were South African schoolkids officially cheering them on. This just compounds my underwhelming day, as there are no big screens at the stadium so I miss the Argentina v Nigeria game, which the Argies win 1-0. The only reason I saw the England game was I sprinted ten minutes to the nearest bar where I saw it on telly there. Imagine my disappointment! Even that wasn't right, the bar was empty apart from some tabloid journalists from London who had their feet up on the velvet couches and didn't even cheer when England scored, they just sat there like owls. I just don't get it. (Scum!) Plus England never won. Just misery. Although I did meet a couple from Up North (in England now) and we got a little bit hammered. Saw Spain beat Slovenia 3-1. Spain looked like potential winners, but by then I was a bit out of it. It's what World Cups are about isn't it, getting out of it and meeting people isn't it? Monday June 3rd
Italy calmly rack up the points against Ecuador. They look like World Cup winners too, quietly stealing through in the dead of night like they do. Earlier on Brazil beat Turkey 2-1, and look sensational at times going forward. Ronaldo equalises Turkey's opener with a flying scissors kick but what was that play acting by Rivaldo at the end? The Turkish player got sent off for kicking the ball unpsortingly at Rivaldo, leaving their tally of players on the field at nine, but the former World Player of the Year wriggled around the floor like a girl, man. On the Internet the Koreans are fighting each other to the death for tickets for their opener against Poland tomorrow. It's so funny: "You crazyboy! Hand it over for W400,000!" Perfect, I can't wait till tomorrow, I'm just going to stand near all the ticket touts... Tuesday June 4th
All the Asian teams played today: China, Japan and Korea. China were rubbish, losing 2-0 to Costa Rica, while Japan drew 2-2 with Belgium. But nobody is looking at that, today Korea played Poland, and the nation's eyes, thoughts, hearts, minds were all trained on this one. This nation I mean, and probably the Polish nation too. There are a few Poles here, happy to be here in Asia, with their sunburn and football shirts. But this is so much Korea's day. Outside the stadium in Busan hours before the game there are thousands of people and tickets are going for 600,000 W. Hour by hour the price gradually dropped though and finally ten minutes before kick-off they are just 100,000 W and that is what we pay for 'em. Bargain! Inside it was great but outside it was too, all the Koreans were catching your eye, welcoming you to Korea, behaving great, and all the girls were just stunning. The middle-school students were dying for a chat and a sing with you and just in case you don't know the words to Korea's two football songs, here they are: Oooooh! Pilsn Korea! Oooooh! Pilsn Korea! Oooooh! Pilsn Korea! O-o-o-o-o! Ey-ey-ey! And...Dehan Minguk! Dehan Minguk! So it's not, as I keep hearing the foreign fans sing (wrongly) Oooooh, this is Korea! So the night is a winner. I'm wearing a Korean football shirt, which seems to work for me, everyone's in red so it's got to be done. In the stadium it's pure electricity as the fans raise the roof. They shout, scream and sing their way to a great 2-0 victory and Korea's first ever World Cup win. So history! Afterwards everyone's still talking to me and singing, so what a night. I arrive at Bukyoungdae-Kyungsungdae and can't believe my eyes because they haven't all gone to bed but instead are out in force singing in the street, setting stuff on fire, jumping on cars and buses, the bleeding hooligans! Got to be done though! Wednesday June 5th
This is Korea the day after, everyone's glowing after an unforgettable night. Everyone looks perfect, like they've just had sex. Maybe they have! Russia yawn their way to a 2-0 win over Tunisia, not that watchable, except if you're Russian. Met two Russians both called Sergei who said they don't even care about the football. So what were they doing here then? Their boat is docked here for months and they are just dossing. Oh. There was an incredible result later on though, when USA beat Portugal 3-2. They were even three goals up at one point. So there's hope for us all. This mixes up Group D a lot now, as Portugal were expected to run away with it. The States look good to qualify now, with their "hard" game out of the way so it's one of Korea or Portugal, maybe. Ireland! No-one can beat them. Teams play 'em, take the lead, then the irish fight back for a 1-1 draw, like tonight against Germany. Robbie Keane scored in the 90th minute off the post and the Fighting Irish are still undefeated. Around Busan the Korean Volunteers look jaded and blissed out. They've been greeting foreigners for about a week now in the hot sun outside Busan Station, outside the Statium and at Haeundae Beach, saying "Welcome to Korea" and doing their smile. Smiling. Very knackering. Thursday June 6th
Denmark v Senegal in the hot sunshine at Busan Station on the big screen there. Volunteers all World Cupped-out with their bowing, smiling and greeting. they all have sunstroke and their final exams are coming up - what troopers! Any too hot for us normal humans, so watched it in the subway station on a small telly enxt to some Jehovah's Witnesses out evangelising. They're all out evangelising at the World Cup, although I hear it's banned inside the stadiums. Couldn't be that effective inside a stadium anyway could it? The Jehovahs turned out to be fun, I actually talked to them, and one was a kind of tripped out case from Ukraine called Dima who I just had to like. He's getting married to a single mum in the States this year, but they're not moving to Oklahoma where she's from because he's "not going to dig the land!" Another was a stunning beauty with looks, poise and grace - and the Jehovahs are usually so...oh never mind. I tell her I love England and anyone playing against France, so tonight I love Uruguay, and she replies in shock, "I love you? What?" Oh and the game was 1-1. Next up to the World Cup Stadium in Busan for Busan's third and final game. Shame that, I'd rather have had say five cities hosting it and more games in each city. Still, don't consult with Johnny Hotspur, you end up in the shit. It's another great occasion with all the Koreans milling around before the game. See Cameroon beat the Saudis 1-0 on telly thanks to a goal by the bubbly Samuel Eto'o, who looks like a young hero in the making. Next is France 0 Uruguay 0 and the French quest hangs on a thread! Henry sent off, Uruguay playing it clever, making lots of good chances on the break, but no goals. The Koreans, Americans and Canadians in the crowd felt cheated but I'm a football purist and this was a great game okay! And now the World and European Champions need to beat Denmark by two goals to stay in it. Friday June 7th
Here's the day the Group of Death meets head to head. All the world stood still for Sweden v Nigeria which finishing 2-1 to Sweden. They were boring, but solid, even very good. Another good team won, against a good team, Spain beating Paraguay 3-1. It's a fun World Cup, as another star is sent home for arguing with the manager, this time it's Zlatko Zahovic of Slovenia. He's probably watching the games with Roy Keane right now, in some flat in Switzerland or somewhere. Is this the start of a sinister trend where management lords it over labour? What next, demonstrating footballers? Well they're in the right country for that sort of thing...0 England 1 Argentina 0, David Beckham scored, this is fairytale stuff. You know, Beckham, the Argies, they almost ruined his career four years ago, and now sweet revenge. Simone attempted gamesmanship just as Beckham stepped up to take the penalty but Beckham was having none of it, driving it curiously but effectively down the middle. See the game at the Marriott Hotel in Haeundae, where the French World Cup squad were. Most of 'em looked really miserable, especially Mikael Silvestre, but doesn't he always look that way? But most miserable of all has to the few French fans there who came along expecting to rub England's noses in it but couldn't, fantastic! Oh and a PUSANWEB EXCLUSIVE! Spoke to Frank Le Boeuf, who is moving to some US team based in New York. If I cared a little more, I would have researched their name but surely NY has just the one soccer team? He was all happy and stuff. Out afterwards in Seomyeon. After four Long Island Ice Teas (which Frank Le Boeuf can have as many as he wants now) I was high, dancing a lot, doing high-octane talking to loads of "new friends" (I mean strangers) and promising my England shirt to a Korean bird. Of course, she's not having it - I'll be needing it now as England will surely be qualifying for the next rouind now...? But I'd had a few drinks, you know how it is... Quote of the day from Slovenian fan: "Everyone is talking too much rubbish at this World Cup." True! Everyone's boasting, man! Why don't they just sit down, shut up and watch the bloody football? Why do they have to open their stupid mouths? This Polish hooligan tried to scare me tonight actually but I had the measure of him and got well in his face & he sat down and shut up like a good football fan. See now I'm talking rubbish! It's spreading... Saturday June 8th
Woke up clearly still drunk & having missed my train to Daegu but that wasn't going to keep me away from Slovenia v South Africa. We made it because we took that journey by the horns and made it happen. But when we got there it had to be the worst game of the World Cup so far! Complete and utter rubbish! Slovenia's fans were really good and in great number, and they sang the whole game. They had loads of songs and they looked like proper fans all right. But the team was shit! The fans deserved more but that team deserved nothing, and that is what they got, losing 1-0 to the Mighty South Africa. Daegu was nice, all nice, young girls and everything, they all looked pristine, interesting and ready for a chat, hanging around the stadium before and after the game. They were funny too. Middle School Girl -> Welcome to Korea what's your job? Johnny Hotspur -> I work in a cheese factory! Middle School Girl -> OH... WE LOVE CHEESE! Then Italy manage to lose 2-1 to Croatia despite having all the ball and the chances. Italy 1-0 up and cruising, then a crazy ending where a good Italian goal is disallowed, Croatia then go and equalize, and score a freak winner, then another good goal is disallowed, then Totti cracks a miracle free-kick against the post and along the line, and then the final whistle, phew. Great World Cup game. Brazil stroll to a 4-0 win against China in a game that seems like a practice match for Brazil but probably a billion Chinese took it more seriously. Still, they'll learn. Sunday June 9th
Quiet game sees Mexico through to the second round with two wins as they beat Ecuador 2-1. Ecuador are pretty poor and word has it they can not play well outside their own country. I'm not going to stick up for 'em. Costa Rica v Turkey 1-1, quite a bit better. Costa Rica do what they do, upset teams that fancy themselves a bit, and as the game goes on it turns into quite an end-to-end free-for-all, even with a brawl thrown in. Okay a pseudo brawl, but that's what we like, foreigners from different continents getting all fighty with each other. What started it? I think a Turkish player shoved a Costa Rican coach trying to get the ball back off him in the frantic last few minutes. Brilliant. Japan 1 Russia 0, watched this one in Gallery PFO in Busan. Big screen, nice beer, cool and airy but empty. Still, nice place to have a quiet one like. After a poor first half Japan woke up and put in a great second half which surely warmed the hearts of the homeland, and Inamoto scored. Looked like great fun must say. Koreans seem to like backing a winner so I'm honoured to receive all their congratulations for England's win over Argentina. How do they know I'm English? Maybe my England shirt, which is the thing to be wearing right now. Monday June 10th
The Group of Death are baiting each other, they must be getting nervous. One Nigerian player calls the English "The All Good People" (which I think is very witty) while an Argentinian player refers to the English as imbeciles. Yes!! But this day is all about Korea the host nation, not anything else, as they played the US in the afternoon in Daegu. I watched it in Tongmyong University in an auditorium among hundreds of students, I'm swept away by it all and I can not even breathe. The game finished 1-1 although the Koreans let more than a couple of chances go begging, including a missed penalty. What happened out there Korea? They played like tigers for twenty five minutes, the US took a surprise lead, and Korea played the rest of the game in a kind of state of shock! Still, justice prevailed when Ahn Jung-Hwan (who else?) equalised, and then naughtily done a speed-skater celebration in protest at some Olympic travesty earlier this year over in the States. (You know, where the Olympics always seems to be hosted nowadays.) Some game, some event. Korea's fans are something: when they went one down the players were visibly shaken at the change of script but would they crumble? Would they feel sorry for themselves? Not with the fans there, they chanted "Chim Chakhe! Chim Chakhe!" (Means "Calmly, coolly! Calmly, coolly!") Nice. The twelfth player they are. Walked out of there in that sort of post-football bluurrgghh mentally numb state and "watched" the 1-1 draw between Belgium and Tunisia, in a restaurant, over a beer and "moksal". Belgium's kit is a kind of flourescent rose pink. I never knew that colour existed. Up to Soul Trane for the Portugal v Poland game, which was quite something. Portugal had to win after their 3-2 defeat to the US, and they did, 4-0. It was quite a game, they went 1-0 up, they were cruising, and then suddenly rainy season began, it started chucking it down, and Poland cheered up and made a game of it. But they couldn't turn that into goals where Portugal just kept scoring and now Poland are out, while Portugal hang in there. But they must beat Korea - Fighting Korea, the Irish of Asia! Tuesday June 11th
France go out, losing their last game 2-0 to Denmark. Their "goals for" tally reads zero! Never saw that one coming! Yet it all looked so good for them in the first game with Senegal when Trezeguet hit the post and smiled. That should be one of the photos of the World Cup. First 3-3 of the show as Uruguay come back from three down to draw with Senegal in Suwon. One more goal and they'd have been through, it almost happened but didn't. Too bad, I liked Uruguay and especially Alvaro Recoba, but they have a bit of a young team so maybe next time. It's Denmark first and Uruguay second: France finished last! Locally the Koreans are a bit deflated and sense the mountain they have to climb. (They all into mountain analogies here, it just rubs off on me.) They like my Korea shirt though. And so they should, it cost enough. Meanwhile Germany look after business and top the group with a 2-0 win over Cameroon. Germany: once again they "have what it takes". Before the World Cup they were written off everywhere, there was a headline running something like "Admit it, all we've ever had is shamefaced luck." But they're not that bad, they took the lead with one man down, they held onto it, increased it, and Klose leads the Golden Boot race with five goals now. Those sly Germans they're having us all on! They'll make the semis you watch. Ireland beat the Saudis 3-0 and advance to the second round. Robbie Keane looks lively again and scores again. He's having a good World Cup! Wednesday June 12th
England make it, a 0-0 draw with NIgeria spark off more glee back home in the homeland but it's a bit quiet Englandwise here. Although they're pretty well represented over in Japan, with all the flags everywhere. They're behaving too, I hear. Watch the game in a garden bar in Busan with an English - Korean couple over quite a few pitchers, and end up drinking for about twelve hours with them. It was good. The England shirt is a winner, it's good for meeting people here and I get a lot of congratulations for "my" qualification to the "16 Gang" as they say here, but they shouldn't thank me, they should thank Rio Ferdinand, who is emerging as a colossus at this World Cup. They keep asking me where to buy one so once and for all, there's a shop in Seomyeon selling them for W 80,000 each so buy it there, I'm not giving you mine okay!! The Koreans still haven't cheered up and their quest hangs on a knife edge. I think they'll do it but to look at them they sense the familiar defeat coming, they're quiet, they've stopped singing, the atmosphere has definitely changed. God that game's going to be good. They're going to do it and they're gong to be so happy... Unlike Argentina, who are out! They drew 1-1 with Sweden so home they go. (Don't think anyone's sorry for 'em.) Spain look like Real Madrid and go onward with another win, this time 3-2 against South Africa; and Paraguay deserve a pat on the back for getting the goals they needed against Slovenia, coming back from a goal down to win 3-1 with three late goals, and now face Germany. Spain have Ireland. However I miss the evening football thanks to some hard drinking with some hardcore drinking Koreans. Well the game was on but it wasn't as much fun. See? Football's fun but it's not as good as a good drink! It's a nice backdrop though... Thursday June 13th
It's a crazy World Cup. Keep up the shock results and they'll be calling it The Crazy World Cup. France & Argentina out in the group stages and everyone's beating everyone. Another four games today and we the watching public are just getting spoilt. Costa Rica 2 Brazil 5 in the afternoon, Mexico 1 Italy 1 in the evening. Ronaldo and Brazil keep scoring and smiling; Italy equalised late with a Del Piero goal and they're still in it, but they ride their luck don't they! These two teams are the World Cup you know, they're always in it and it means everything to each of them. This time round their teams aren't "great" but that makes it fun: no-one's great and it's anyone's cup. Korea's side is cool, they're waking up again for the battle and the place is buzzing again. I'm not talking about the mosquitoes either, which are becoming quite an issue themselves. Anyway you need buzz. Someone on Korean telly has put together a compilation of cool moments from the Korean matches so far and it plays next to an Indie Punk version of "Arirang", you watch it and all you can think is "Come On Korea, do it!" "Arirang, arirang, arario... (Daehan Minguk!) Arirang go-ke-ro-nooooo-mo-gan-da! (Daehan Minguk!)" Sensational. If you want to know the rest of the words ask a Korean. They'll gladly tell you, and than take a photograph of you. Now, tomorrow, Korea needs a draw or a win to ensure qualification, but if the States lose, Korea automatically goes through. More likely is that Korea will play Italy in the second round: there are nine possible outcomes of tomorrow night's games, and five of them see Korea play Italy. Friday June 14th
Wake up thinking it's 50-50 and Korea can do it. If they play like tigers. (More local analogy, sorry.) And Portugal must win - it's so hard to do "must win". It's all I can think of and the blanket coverage is not helping ay. It's all about hope now: their quest does or dies today and it's on TV all day. City Hall with tens and tens of thousands of people; the monks watching it in the mountanis; Ahn Jung Hwan kissing his ring; the punk Arirang, the great pre-game message from Cha Bum-Gun about the older generation not being able to express themselves but young generation do it, express and go! It's win or bust tonigth tonight and they're all excited. Will they go out? Please no! The heart'll go if Hanguk go! The heart was okay in the end, with a 1-0 win in Incheon over Mighty Portugal, who now exit. This World Cup is magic! Portugal had two men sent off, put up a great fight, Korea didn't even need the win as the US were exposed 3-1 against an already condemned Poland, so a draw would have sent Korea and Portugal through. However the young Park Ji-Sung scores something like the goal of the tournament so far in the 70th minute...didn't anyone tell him they were both playing out a draw?! What a goal though, he controls a cross from the left with his chest, he beats the defender with the ball in the air, knocking it over from the right to the left, the volleys it in! Then he goes off running and hugs the daddy Hiddink, and then remembers he's Korean and starts bowing to his older team mates! The whole lot was done on impulse. Saw this one in Tongmyong Stadium, which was suitably wild and crazy and great. After the students all went down to Bukyung Dae for a laugh, a shout, a climb on the buses. For the Poland game there were a brave five or six on the bus. This time there was five or six buses, each with about fifty students on, including some of mine. And they're usually so behaved! Funniest was the high school girls on the bus, in their uniforms, brilliant. At one stage I get separated from my other half, and find myself talking to some high and excited Korean guy. I tell him I'm from England, then he starts singing "Eng-er-land-uh!" (to the tune of "Dae-han-min-guk") and I'm surrounded by about ten of them singing it at me. This helps her find me very quickly: "That just had to be something to do with you..." Well done Korea, that was the biggest game in your history, and you won it! Couple of other news items and thoughts for the day... Japan stroll through as Grop Winners in the afternoon in Osaka, but it was the Group of Tea & Sandwiches after all. Nakata scores the winner, kisses his palm and looks obtuse. Now the Japanese go nuts at last, but not as nuts as Korea. Next to Japan, Korea invented nuts, if you know what I mean. Tonight though the fans had the nuts and the team had the balls. (Sorry!!) Thoughts for the day now. First, Portugal are out, sadly. They are a really nice team, the world loves the way they play the beautiful game, and many including me wanted them to do well. Korea had it in their power to send the States home and leave Portugal in but they didn't, they just had to go and score. Because their desire for World Cup wins is greater than any other thing. Next, can the players stop kicking the ball over the bar? I'm sick and tired of seeing the ball fly over. FIFA why did you tamper with the ball? Didn't you test it you idiots? What does "FIFA approved" mean? Does it mean "shit"? And then, can someone teach the Korean commentator the offside rule? All he can say is "Offside ijo?" ("Offside isn't it?") whenever the whistle goes near the goal. MBC...let Cha Bum Gun take the mike, he knows his football, the other guy doesn't! And finally, contentious issues, let's replay them and analyse. Can you do that for me? Apart from those little things, brilliant day, pure football World Cup magic. Now Korea "is on the map". Saturday June 15th
The Second Round begins today - the 16 Gang - with a horribly dull game between Germany and Paraguay, the bore specialists. Paraguay had a player called "Chiqui Arce" but even that doesn't lighten things up or help Paraguay's cause and they go out to a so so Germany. Their game plan of tight defence was working well until two minutes from time when Neuville scored a good winnner. The scorer was then subbed, and given a really hard celebration headlock on the bench by Christian Ziege. It's brutal if you're German. Couldn't help thinking the Paraguayans hadn't done their homework though, because to play for penalties against Germany is just asking for it, they never lose on penalties. To even play for Germany you need a Phd in penalties. Who knows what they were thinking. And now, in the Crazy World Cup, one semi-finalist will be from Germany, USA or Mexico. Does that reflect the world order in football? Not one bit, and that's why we love this World Cup. After snoozing in and out of that game, went to Seomyeon to watch England look good in a 3-0 win over Denmark. They made it look quite easy in the end, and scored all their goals in the first half, including a belting drive from outside the box from Heskey. Of course, we're in the "8 Gang" now but still not getting too excited. Although in Hollywood Star later on I meet a lot of congratulations, including one from a very worried Brazillian. So we must be doing something right then. Sunday June 16th
Senegal 2 Sweden 1. Good. To watch this one was to hope Senegal go really far. They play like some wild tribe who know not defeat, pointing to the goal, beckoning each other forward, best celebrations of all, great goals, coming back today, they're so cool. The World Cup needs its colour, and the Senegalese provide it. No-one wants Sweden doing well, they're so boring! The World Cup was generous today giving us not one but two great games, tonight Spain drew 1-1 with Ireland who missed a penalty, but scored another to equalise in the 90th minute through Robbie Keane, again. The Irish are like the Koreans, they don't know defeat, and despite being outclassed at first, they rallied and deserved to win this game with a great show of power and spirit. But they drew it and went out on penalties 3-2, and what a shocking shoot-out! No-one could score! I'm wondering about the impact of the Champions League on this World Cup. On one hand, Spain are 1-0 and cruising and you think the teams left in it with top players like Spain, Italy and England should win it now, just because of the experience playing at the top gives you. But then Ireland go and outfight them, equaloize, deserve to win and you think, the "lesser" teams aren't so jaded. What a World Cup! Monday June 17th
USA are in the "8 Gang" now, surprising themselves no doubt after another early lead sees them through, this time 2-0 against Mexico. Will someone tell them to sit down? What are they doing this far? A boring game though, taking a little momentum out of the breahtaking last couple of days. All the Korean students are pissed off Miguk went through, and then do their best fake smiles to congratulate their American teachers. (Go on Hanguk don't try to deny it!) Belgium see a good goal disallowed (and mysteriously not analysed by TV) and then go down 2-0 to Brazil, who now play England in what looks like a World Cup Classic. Everyone wants to see that one. Tonight Brazil were quite magical going forward in a goalles first half, but in the second it went strangely flat until R-I-V-A-L-D-O pops up with something like the goal of the World Cup so far, juggling it a bit and then whacking it in from outside the box. As commentators say, you can't legislate for goals like that. (Actually you can't "legislate" against any type of goal. If you don't believe me, go on and try it.) So England v Brazil beckons and here's what Sven Goran Eriksson thinks: "Brazil will be tricky." So he's done his homework then! Ronaldo just says, "The World Cup starts here," while England's young left-back Ashley Cole says the best one of all,"Rio Ferdinand is the best footballer in the world". Actually it's a real day for quotes, as David Beckham says he might open a chain of football schools in Japan later on in his career. And the Portugese arrive home to jeers and insults, and their newspaper Publico said in its editorial: The World Cup showed that Portugal is a country that "cheapens the values of good behaviour and ... likes to deceive the traffic police and run from the taxman". Oooh the pain and tears of it! Could the World Cup Final be Korea v England? Tuesday June 18th
Big day for Asia: Korea v Italy but first, Japan v Turkey, in the humid rain, in Miyagi. Again, the biggest games in their histories. In Japan it's raining hard all afternoon and the fans are wearing see-through raincoats, watching their team struggle against the clever and under-rated Turkey, who score first with a header direct from a corner. (The scorer is another guy witha crude mohican. Davaid Beckham is the only one with a good mohican. You'd think with all that money they could afford a proper haircut...) Turkey's keeper is good, and they kill the game. Japan slip and slide out because they never had enough "in their locker" to throw at them. Sad for 'em but in Stoke Newington, London, not far from where I'm from, the Turks'll be really going for it big time. Oh, and in Turkey too. Love the way the Korean commentators pronounce "gol-khip-haaa"! Don't you just ask yourself as you watch games in the afternoon, in your house, drinking tea, isn't the World Cup great? Aren't I so lucky? You are you know you are. What we're going to do though for a social life once this World Cup is over? Jesus it could be all over tonight! So the game, biggest game ever, Korea trying to bust its way into the "8 Gang" against a real football team, Italy. Korea's at home though, this time in Daejeon, and their crowd is the 12th layer. And Hiddnk is the 13th. Would we see another Hiddink victory punch tonight? Everyone hoped so. They love him here, because he loves the team like a great daddy. They want to make him president already, or at the very least put a statue up of him. Got to be done, they'll never forget him and he'll never forget them. He should get himself a best Korean bird right now, his stock is so high! Bloody Guus Hiddink, what a man. Totti opened his mouth before the game and announced Italy would win, but the night had more in store for him. Personally I have mixed feelings over this game, being married to a Korean and the son of an Italian. So I watch it in Soul Trane, away from my wife. (Don't need to risk having a big fight now do we? God knows what I might say!) On the subway up there I'm pondering why Korea is playing so great. Make no mistake, this is great stuff. It's because it's a unit and every man cares a lot. And the nation is really united. Just shows you how awesome people are when they get together. Let's pause and meditate on that. So of course the fairytale went on. Team and country came together again and beat Italy 2-1 after extra time, pulling off the shock of this and I think any World Cup. It was easily the game of the Cup and is unlikely to be surpassed now. I'm still in awe of this one and I'll try to remember what happened. The game started with a flurry of yellow cards, the referee was clearly on acid, and awarded Korea a penalty, which Ahn Jung-Hwan missed. Italy went 1-0 up through Vieri, who ran off with his finger to his lips going "Shhhh..." Italy outclassed Korea and it looked in every way like a classic away win in a partizan stadium. However this crowd is another type of partizan, and Trapattoni the Italian coach says he's never sen a crowd like it in all his life. He's right, neither have I, it's really something, and as Hiddink puts it, they even clean up after themselves, they're good people. Again I agree, to watch a game among these fans is a best privilege. So in the last ten minutes Korea sense their impending exit, wake up and throw everything they have against the Italian defence, and you had to admire the way they went about it, it was moving. It moved me and it must have moved the team because they equalised with just two minutes to go, Seol Ki-Hyeon pouncing on a loose ball to score a massive goal. Wow, you wanted to cry for 'em. Italy's outclassing them and they're outfighting them, what a match. Actually it was sort of weird because just before they equalised I turned to my right to this nice Korean couple who were on the verge of tears and poured them a beer and said, this is your lucky beer, this is for a goal, you'll score, I promise...and then right away they did!! Sensational... (Not that I'm claiming the credit or anything.) In the last minute of normal time the fun gets better, Cha Do-Ri (son of ex-coach and current commentaor Cha Bum-Gun) attempts a spectacular overhead kick from close range but Buffon saves it. Then Vieri somehow misses an open goal. Extra time then, Totti runs through the whole Korean team but fails to score the greatest goal of all time. Then is fouled in the box but instead of giving a penalty the ref sends Totti off for "cheating", all Italy united for a moment saying they smell a rat. Me too, even FIFA officials were angry about this one. This is on top of a disallowed good goal plus no punishment for Lee Chun-Soo for kicking Paolo Maldini in the head. Corruption? God it looked dodgy. The game goes on though, and it is just the most thrilling event. One more lucky beer, three minutes to go until penalties and up pops their superstar Ahn Jung-Hwan with a clever header to score the golden goal and sent Italy out. Italy claim a moral victory and if you want to read more about that click here for a taste of the international World Cup press. Ahn Jung-Hwan lies on the floor for a couple of minutes in shock. So does the Italian goalie Buffon. The whole country is so happy now God love 'em and every one of 'em is going "Iygooo!" They're all in tears! (Tears of joy, must be.) Cha Bum-Gun said something brilliant: "All our sons played really well tonight - even my son!" He went on, "Hiddink is a brilliant manager for making this happen. I got fired last World Cup because I lost, he's doing what I couldn't do." I say they deserve it. Their fans deserve it and so do those players, who are in the "8 Gang" now and are just magnificent. A team of stars? Now they are but they are a team of humble players who did something amazing. Who's going to beat them? They're unbeatable. Can Spain beat them? Surely no-one can. Germany or USA in the semis? England, Brazil, Turkey or Senegal in the final? England in the final! Please! I'll be drinking all my lucky beer that night, no Korean's having none of it. But next in Gwangju, against Spain, they're very welcome to some. Phew. Could the World Cup have it's most unlikely winners yet? Wednesday June 19th
World Cup has a two day break from the football so it can concentrate on the aftermath of the Korea v Italy game. Grabbing the spotlight was not the magical football story or the poor reffing or the conspiracy theory but Gaucci the chairman of Perugia, who booted Asian football legend Ahn Jung-Hwan out of his club. "What did you expect me to do? He'll just have to go back to Korea and earn 100,000 lire (about $48) a month." (That's not going to happen. Ahn is going to Europe now and will earn megabucks.) Then he got surreal: "When he arrived, he was like a little lost goat who didn't even have the money to buy a sandwich." Gaucci, thank you for that. Was Italy a sacrificial lamb to appease the hosts? World Cup scandal! The President of FIFA Sepp Blatter fans the flames by condemning the reffing of the game and says from now on, World Cups are to be reffed by proper refs, not two-bit Laurel & Hardies from tin-pot countries like Ecuador. Maybe not his exact words but something like that. It was the greatest game of the World Cup though and I'll never forget that winner, or Ahn Jung-Hwan's curly black hair running off to celebrate before succumbing to shock and lying on the ground stunned for two minutes. Italy are just going to have to let this one go, bitter pill that it is. But it's hard, I can see that and you got to feel for 'em. Meanwhile in the real world I'm invigilating university exams. The students hand me their papers with little messages: "England Team Fighting! Korea Team Fighting!" Naturally I'll be bumping up their grades up for this. Later I find myself drinking all night with some English fellas. (There's not too many around.) Who can't understand why I don't know my own National Anthem. I don't know, should I? Thursday June 20th
Still feels like the day after. I can't get neither the Korean songs out of my head, nor Ahn Jung-Hwan. Now internationally known, but as J H Ahn. (This is how Koreans pronounce my name, John.) He scored the goal, and he is the one. Is Korea having a bit of a love-in with foreigners at the moment? Because of Guus Hiddink? The word of the World Cup in Korea seems to be "Hi!" All the birds say it now, all the time. Suddenly they can see us foreigners! And as for Hiddink, he's going after the tournament of course, but when he comes back he'll be able to walk around Hiddink Park, down Hiddink Street, whichever city he goes to. It's been a good month. Friday June 21st
In Ulsan today. Watch England v Brazil in the afternoon. Less than an hour before kick-off an Irishman sees us in the street with me in my England shirt and the game in Japan and says "Yuz'll be late...!" Which I thought was funny, certainly more funny than the game. Owen gave England the lead, Rivaldo equalized, at half-time it looked like there was lots of laughs in store but not really, Brazil went on to score a freak winner and then kill the game 2-1, and now England are out of the World Cup. Ronaldinho was sent off but it only concentrated Brazil's defensive focus. Compounding things was watching it in a restaurant surrounded by Paddies and Germans, who were very pleased. Anyway the best team won so no complaints. Just disappointed with the anti-climax. This was a great chance to win the bloody thing! Later on go to the stadium to see Germany v USA. There may have been more English in the stadium than Germans, and there were aqmpty seats a plenty. In the end they gave huge sections of tickets to schoolboys, still in uniform. A World Cup Quarter-Final, this. In the game Germany showed a little class, not that much now, and took it 1-0, which seemed fair enough, and now they're through to the "4 Gang". Something's wrong there! But they always do this, Germany, no matter how good or rubbish they are, they sneak through. Evil luck! States players were good though, and my best two on the night were Landon Donovan, once he ran through the German midfield and shot well, but Kahn saved just as well. Him and Tony Sanneh, who was running through brick walls all night. Their fans were pretty colourful too. Why do Americans love dressing up so much? Tomorrow it's Korea v Spain. The snowball is gathering momentum and can Spain take 'em? It's hard to imagine anything other than some sort of Korean victory. Here's a thought though: has the Korean side peaked too early? They are snowballing right now for sure but can they keep this up? We'll soon know. Personally, I can think of little else... Saturday June 22nd
In the afternoon Korea draw 0-0 with Spain and go through on penalties. Who can beat them? Today they looked really knackered, rode their luck, had another "kind" ref, who disallowed two good Spain goals and bestowed other suspicious-looking favours on them, but, they won and they are now in the "4 Gang". They face Germany on Tuesday. Is this fate or what? They are on an unstoppable winning streak that's for sure. This is a huge snowball now, and what a chance they have of winning the thing. All they have to do is beat an ordinary Germany side at home, then win another one-off game where anything can happen, and the cup is theirs. Biggest football shocker in the world ever. See the game in Daegu in my father-in-law's printing shop. (Nice quiet spot. Can't take all this emotion in the afternoon heat among the millions. Want to watch the game as well.) Anyway go downtown after the game. Take a photo of some delighted schoolgirls, one of them responds by saying "I love you!" (What a thing to say!) Everyone's singing again of course, mainly Daehan Minguk. Later at home I discover the Daehan Minguk dog, which should be on telly. Someone walks by and sings Daehan Minguk, and the dog responds "Woof-woof! Woof-woof! Woof!" It was truly amazing, because he did it all evening, to my great amusement. In the other game Turkey deserve special mention for playing brilliantly and beating Senegal 1-0, so now they play Brazil next. They have snuck through like asassins and here they are, with every chance of pulling off the big one. Actually I think it's going to be them. (Why didn't I bet on 'em at the start?) By the way do the Senegalese have a mental block when it comes to passing? Turkey don't. The Senegalese have a powerful way about them though, and it was quite a match tonight. Now the Semi-finals look like this: Germany v Korea Brazil v Turkey One of these teams will win the World Cup, and each of them is able for it. Imagine Korea v Turkey, the wierdest final ever. Is this really happening? Are we really here? It's clearly going to happen. Although first Korea need to beat Evil Germany, who excel at beating the people's champions. And Turkey need to do Brazil. Well they have a striker on form that looks like an executioner, Hasan Sas. Oh, the ifs, buts and maybes of it all... Sunday June 23rd
Still in Daegu, I wake up from an afternoon sleep to the sound of little kids outside imitating the commentators after each of these historic goals Korea has been scoring lately. Now I wonder how many goals Germany need to beat Korea?Judging by the Spain game, three! I can't stop wondering what is going on at this World Cup: something fishy, no? So many rubbish decisions against Korea's opponents, it's getting a bit embarassing. Just in the Spain game alone now: two clearly good goals disallowed, one for the ball being "out of play" (nowhere near it) and the other just disallowed without explanation; whistle blows thirty seconds before end of time as Spain are about to take a corner; Spanish coach prohibited from instructing players before extra time but Hiddink left alone; throughout the game seemed yellow cards went to Spanish players upholding the letter of the law but not the Koreans...you decide. Now add this to the Italy and Portugal games and a pattern emerges! So it's worst quality reffing, or corruption. The chances of this string of decisions in a team's favour are pretty slim, so it suggests someone up there has been buying this glory. Korea's corruption record isn't giving them the benefit of the doubt either; and the less said about FIFA President Sepp Blatter's murky past the better! Don't get me wrong, the team and manager are heroes and I love 'em, but the squad and manager are starting to look embarrassed, because they can't keep telling us refs are human. I keep looking at Hiddink, who doesn't look that happy any more. I compare him in heaven celebrating Park Ji-Sung's winner against Portugal, against the dark, unhappy look he's wearing now. Then he was elated and he looked great. Now though, he seems as though he senses something is wrong. IF this is the case then I'll be very sad, because this is football, and the World Cup, and no-one has ever bought it before. And this is Korea, who work so hard to create a great impresion, but risk coming out of this looking as bad as can be. They've been nothing but great all the way through this... I reckon the Korean people should demonstrate! Put up a banner saying "Sorry Italy & Spain. You won. Now we get it. We'll find whoever did this and punish them." I mean the world is looking at Korea now for the first time ever. It has to behave itself, not buy the World Cup. If people decide this is what is happening, then Korea will forevermore be known as dodgy, corrupt so and sos. And this great team and manager don't deserve that! They deserve roses and glory, not to be tangled up in this rubbish. (Going with the assumption still, of course...) I mentioned how Korea is a snowball right now but it could be bigger than I imagined, this could even finish off the World Cup itself. Imagine this scenario for a moment. The world decide Korea buys World Cup glory. UEFA grabs the political chance to expand the European Championships and invites top countries from South America, Africa & Asia to participate, citing how they will run the tournament with the best know-how, including refereeing, ticketing and kick-off times. Cash-strapped FAs from around the world agree. UEFA make it a bi-annual event, so it clashes with the World Cup. Countries go with UEFA, leaving FIFA with a World Cup contested by no-one, and the European Championship becomes the one to win. You may laugh, but this is exactly what UEFA has in mind already. If this Korea stuff turns into a real scandal, it could be exactly the loaded weapon UEFA has been waiting for all along. Monday June 24th
Phew! Just reading the international websites is exhausting at the moment, all this talk of conspiracy. (I hate that word.) Some say it was FIFA, wanting to expand its Asian market and create a football boom here. (Judging by who is in charge there, and his track record of corruption and even match-fixing, could be true.) Some say it was some naive bid for corruption by someone high up in Korean business. Some say it was just an awful lot of bad reffing. Some say it's sour grapes from the losers. God I wish this rubbish never happened! It's really taking a lot of shine off of a great team and event. Wonder how much people are arguing about this all day today? I was! Because one one side there is a lot of stink, and in defence there is nothing. Hiddink God love him tried his best to blur the issue by criticizing other countries at the World Cup for not doing an all-out attacking style. The defence may be puny, but thye issue boils down to this: rubbish ref or corrupt ref. (And if corrupt, who's the paymaster.) International Press clippings to be found here. Germany v Korea tomorrow, with a top ref and extra scrutiny. It'll definitely be a fair game, which of course proves nothing. Korea will surely win it though, because Germany are so poor! And if they do, I'll win a load of money with my pre-tournament each way bet for Korea to get to the Final. A little irony? I love Hiddink and the job he has done, and he's clearly not the corrupt type, but anyone remember that moment during the Spain game when the ref came up to him and Hiddink offered him some water and then sort of hugged him, while a Spanish player looked on going Hello?! Wonder if anyone's researching the K-League right now? I am, and found a very useful site (www.korean-football.com). It's actually by an Irishman. Anyway I click the Daejon team's link (www.taejoncitizen.co.kr) and it's been hi-jacked by www.sexynight.co.kr which to get rid of you need to close eight windows. Isn't that funny. How long will that go on? Four Korean players make FIFA's 33-man all-star squad: Lord of the Rings Ahn Jung-Hwan, captain and defender Hong Myung-Bo, midfielder Yoo Sang-Chul, and goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae. Yes!! And they all deserve it so they do, their endeavours should be highlighted, not all this murkiness. Tuesday June 25th
First World Cup Semi-final, Korea v Germany. Wonder what Hiddink is telling his players? "We've stolen this place, we got away with it, this time the ref'll be fair, but let's steal this one as well, and show them we can win properly." I don't know, could be. Game kicks off and like the last game it's clear the Koreans are knackered now. DR Cha played in place of Ahn Jung-Hwan: he's no doctor but he's fast, and went all out to impress, as I hear he's playing in the Bundesliga next season. But in the event it was a bridge too far for him and the Korean team, and Germany took this one 1-0. It was a fair scoreline and they were pretty much in control of this one. As expected, they are the semi-final specialists after all. No penalties or red cards, just a couple of fair yellows and a good, fair game. (Funny isn't it, World Cup Semi-final and I'm studying the ref.) I'd like to argue this was a good result for Korea. Had they beaten the Germans the scandal of how they got to a Final would never have gone away. But they lost, and I feel a weight off my mind. Now I can forget it, everyone can. We can all get on with congratulating Korea and not getting involved in arguments for the rest of our lives about how the World Cup in Korea had a reffing scandal. The scrutiny of getting to a World Cup Final would have confirmed some very negative things about this achievement; a semi-final exit and everyone drops it, and the fuss just miraculously goes away. So from now on, I'm take the first step and dropping it! 'Cause it's boring now and I'm happier liking Korea. Why did Korea lose tonight's game then? Because they started the World Cup like an express train with the goal of reaching the second round, and of course, teams that do that get tired. A tired team gets out-thought and out-classed by a team like Germany who, while not that good, has had quite a mellow World Cup up to now, had it in them to win this tricky game and hold onto the lead. Against Italy luck was really on Korea's side; but while Korea has been borrowing the luck, Germany own the thing. This German team in the World Cup Final? Do me a favour! (Such a pity Italy went out 'cause they'd have 'ad 'em.) Korean fans! You show the world how to be fans, you even celebrate when you lose! Korean women! This World Cup has surely been your coming out party, you were everywhere all month! Korea! You got to be so proud of the boys and what they did, this is the finest World Cup story ever! Wonder who's gonna sign Ahn Jung-Hwan then? Wednesday June 26th
All footballed out anyone? In the second semi-final Brazil take Turkey 1-0. Ronaldo shows up with a really silly haircut but it doesn't stop him scoring another goal to put his side in the final and himself in pole position for the Golden Boot with six goals now. A star is reborn! He's always smiling as well. A bit idiotically maybe but still you got to love him, he's back where he belongs, at the top. This gives the World Cup Final a classic feel: Brazil v Germany. Although these two have never met in a competitive match, which is astonishing: each country is part of the World Cup furniture and always seem to be there in the latter stages; Brazil have won four World Cups & Germany three, yet they are strangers. Well they play this Sunday and the surrealists have to wait another four years at least for a wierd World Cup Final. (Or they can just buy a PS2 and have Ireland win it every time.) Turkey play Korea on Saturday to contest Third Place. Korea will obviously win this, because they care; I'll be surprised if Turkey show up! Thursday June 27th
Tournament breaks for another rest, and normal life is creeping back now. Everyone's wondering how they'll survive without the football now, and hoping Brazil win. Why not, they play with a smile. Wasn't it supposed to rain this World Cup? Korea's been lucky in that respect, because when it rains here it really pours, yet we saw next to nothing of it. Although I hear at the Final it's going to be coming down like cats and dogs. Should be a laugh. Boy did the Koreans ever give it some this World Cup! I mean the fans! It was amazing...the most inhibited people on the planet showing themselves, brilliant! All this scandal rubbish has completely blown over by now, like it should. Thanks God, I didn't fancy arguing this one out for the rest of my life with Koreans who "know so much about football...!" Friday June 28th
Hong Myung-Bo and Yoo Sang-Chul of Korea make the FIFA All Star XVI. Couldn't agree more, these are clearly the best two players in the Korean squad, Hong was outstanding in defence and swept up like a legend, while Yoo is the engine of the team. Also in the XVI is Sol Campbell of England, chosen over Rio Ferdinand! What a crap choice! Made me laugh anyway, any England watcher would tell you it should have been the other way round, but then again who cares? The Koreans may be feeling good right now but economists say everyone forgot to spend money this month, they were all just hooked on the football! Easy to see, that, it's all I did. I still don't want the thing to end. It'll be sad here when it's over because what next, the Asian Games? Oh yes! It's been a World Cup of teams hasn't it, rather than outstanding players. Who stood out? Figo? Zidane? Beckham? Owen? Crespo? Batistuta? Henry? Trezeguet? Del Piero? Totti? No, more like Korea, Ireland, Senegal and Turkey. Korea has stood out hasn't it, footballwise. They play the game very fast, and they're all very accurate passers. I should know fast, watching the English Premier League all my life like I have. How many misplaced Korean passes do you remember? Not many? I don't remember any! That's a measure of quality, and any European club that signs one of 'em will get a result I'm sure of it. Just hope one or two come to my club, Spurs, where they may get a game, instead of going to a top club and never getting a game. What a shame that would be but you can just see it can't you. Saturday June 29th
Third Place Play-off between Korea & Turkey in Daegu. Tonight's message from the Red Devils spelled out in white cards was "See you at the K-League". Fantastic, wow, I hope they do all go to the K-League. That sort of support could make the K-League a great part of life here in Korea, so please guys follow up on that one. Before the game Turkey and Korea surreally declare themselves friends, brothers and trading partners. (Wonder what Turkey is going to sell to Korea?) The game starts and Korea make their first gift, a defensive mess-up lets Hakan Sukur score the fastest ever World Cup goal after just 11 seconds. I have nothing but faith in Korea though, because they clearly want this and Turkey are playing for fun. One player even showed up with a face transfer. Could this be the start of a new trend? You know it will. So in the match between fun & serious, Korea equalise on 9 minutes with a perfect free kick from Lee Eul-Yong, then fall behind again thanks to a clever goal by Ilhan. All this in 13 minutes: don't knock this one it's a cracker! Ahn almost equalises after some great technique in the box but is thwartewd by a world-class save by Rustu. Both of these are surely getting signed up by a European clubs soon now? Tomorow's game will not be this much fun! Hiddink is caught on camera going "Ahn Jung Hwan-i! Come on!", which answers my own question of how he communicates with the players? Must be in English with a translator! Game played at great pace, this is it. I have to thank each team for reminding us the World Cup is still on. Next up is another Turkey goal on 31 minutes, again from Ilhan. Korea are playing great but Turkey are a class act, full of guile, cleverness, passing and movement, it's time this great side received some proper tribute. At 3-1 it's unclear what is coming next, because Korea are playing with all the desire but Turkey are scoring all the goals, and even missing loads of easy ones, just for fun. Perhaps a little less hesitation in front of goal is what Korea need? The second half sees Korea put in 45 minutes of fire, throw on Cha Du-Ri to great screams but little effect, and pull it back to 2-3 with the last kick of the match through the religious Song Chong-Guk. What a game! That was supposed to be a friendly! Finally all the players put their arms around each other and salute the crowd, the amazing crowd. Will the World Cup in Germany be this much fun, fanwise? I doubt it. It'll be well run, the tickets will be there, it'll be one World Cup in one country, not two World Cups in two different countries, the beer will be great, but it won't be this special. This has been a special World Cup, because the people here have loved it! Hiddink is no doubt leaving, and tonight he said, "Korea has stolen my heart in a very short time...and I'll always come back." Fantastic, boy. Sunday June 30th
Finally the World Cup is polarised into a game between the two "best teams", Brazil and Germay. Now Brazil maybe, but Germany are fooling nobody, what they are doing in the Final while Italy and Argentina, and to a lesser extent Spain, France, Portugal and England are watching it at home on telly just makes you go "Hmmmm". Ronaldo gives the tournament a shread of sanity by scoring both goals as Brazil beat Germany 2-0, a fair scoreline and fair overall winners overall, even if they have won the thing five times now. No-one's going to catch that record for years now, but judging on the number of quality players they have and the grace and beauty with which they play the game, and judging by the number of nice goals, passes and dribbles they all do, it seems like they deserve the thing. I'm not fussing anyway. What next? The aftermath. The best & worst lists, the stories, the pay disputes, the lessons, the analysis of trends, the talk, the transfer speculation, and the looking forward to the domestic leagues. Everyone's doing it, giving the World Cup its retrospective, so I will too: Player of the Tournament: Hong Myung-Bo. For me he was the epitomy of Korea's surge towards the Semi-Final. Didn't smile much but gave pure concentration and leadership all the way. There is a TV slow-motion shot of him pointing a team mate into position and it just looks like he's gonig Oi! Nam-Il! You stand here! Your country needs you to stand here! Perfect, if only he were a little younger, we could enjoy him a little more. Biggest disappointment: Paolo Maldini getting outjumped by Ahn Jung-Hwan for the Golden Goal that sent Italy out of the World Cup. Wasn't mentioned much at the time but that was the last moment of a perfect international career. Maldini doesn't deserve to go out like that! (Or England's second half performance against Brazil.) Favourite game: Can't choose. Either Korea 2 Italy 1, because of the drama of it. Korea outclassed? They weren't having a bit of it! Goals in the 88th and then the 117th minutes made sure they were joining the "8-Gang" not Italy. In close second comes France 0 Uruguay 0 in Busan. This was where France had to get a win to get back on track but a red card to Thierry Henry stripped them of their best player, and it became a very even match. Ten-man France throwing it all at eleven-man Uruguay, who hit them very effectively on the break and had the chances to win. No goals but plenty of action. Golden goal: Park Ji-Sun's piece of beautiful skill in the box v Portugal. So instinctive, he chests it, flicks it left with his right boot to beat Conceciao, and vooleys it in with his left. Nice. Quote of the tournament: Perugia President Gaucci on Ahn Jung-Hwan: "When he arrived, he was like a little lost goat who didn't even have the money to buy a sandwich." My World Cup XI: Rustu Recber (Turkey), Cafu (Brazil), Hong (Korea),
Ferdinand, Cole (both England), Ronaldinho (Brazil), Ballack (Germany),
Yoo (Korea), Duff (Ireland), Ronaldo, Rivaldo (both Brazil). This guide was created and is maintained by Johnny
Hotspur. Updated June 30, 2002 |
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