The Ball 2002

Camera to camera brings on the smiles

Again we have the pleasure to share a stadium with the Brazilian fans, but this time they won leaving only one game between themselves and a possible FIVE World Cup championships. ‘PENTA Campion’ rings off their lips with understandable confidence, though of course the mighty Kahn will stand between the sticks for Germany.

‘Penta Campion’ rings out here in this mpeg.

Nothing in Tokyo is this free

Phil holds the precious tickets, but his wallet is now lighter than air

Not a report on the game – mainly because it hasn’t happened yet. But when it does, we’re going to be pitchside – just scored two category one tickets…

Must dash – got a game to see!

Crowds framed by umbrellas

Unlucky Korea went out to the Cup last night… rather overpowered by a German team playing a similar style of football – a disciplined team game with little flair and much hard work. Korea had far fewer chances than they did against any of the latin teams that they put out of the competition, and in the end, succumbed to the sustained German pressure.

Well I woke up this morning,
To catch a bullet to the game…

Shooting ourselves in the foot(ball)

But the waking wasn’t worth it,
Coz the football match was lame…

We’re finally in Japan on the same soil as our boys, who in 3 ‘n’ a half hours are taking on Brazil. The tension in me runs. We are heading off to Shizuoka to get as close as we can, have no ticket and aren’t certain of a big screen situation and have also heard that it can be difficult to see games at all!!

Surely not!!

We shall see.

Come on you EEEEEENGERLAND!

So then, it’s goodbye to Korea… the Ball is moving on today, and there’s just enough time to write a fond farewell to a country we have really enjoyed visiting. I will miss Korea very much – the people have been generous, hospitable, and I’ve loved their enthusiasm for all things football-related.

I’ll be cheering for you on Saturday…

What the hell are we going to do?

Unbelievable!

“We learnt that it’s not the winning that counts. Wherever you go, playing football can be used to improve diplomatic relations and promote peace.”
- an ex North Korean footballer talking about his team at the World Cup in England in 1966

But the winning sure does feel good…

Koreans have taken to the streets in their thousands to celebrate their victory over Italy… and the delight that is so plainly written across their faces is equally delightful to behold. I’ve just got back from dancing down an eight lane highway in the middle of town with the crowds… beers and soju being thrust into my hands whenever they weren’t high-fiving passers-by…

Be the Reds!

The atmosphere in Seoul is electrifying again tonight, with seemingly the entire population working themselves into a frenzy in anticipation of tonight’s big match – everyone is uniformly dressed in “Be the Reds” t-shirts (despite the team playing in pink) and starting on the soju early. We were going to go to City Hall to see the game, but then realised that we’d only be able to see the crowds – who have been gathering there since lunchtime…