2002 World Cup
Connected Japanese
Tokyo, Japan
Germany vs. Ireland (Wednesday, June 5, 2002 Kashima Stadium 35,854)
Argentina vs. Sweden (Wednesday, June 12, 2002 Miyagi Stadium 45,777)
Brazil vs. Belgium (Monday, June 17, 2002 Kobe Wing Stadium 40,440)
May 30th-June 30th
Through my travels all over the world I have concluded that the most highly anticipated watched sporting tournament by far is the FIFA World Cup that takes place every four years. Since 1930, when the tournament started in Uruguay, there have been 17 World Cups with 7 different champions (Brazil: 1958,1962,1970,1994, 2002) (Italy:1934,1938, 1982) (West Germany: 1954,1974,1990), (Uruguay:1930,1950) (Argentina: 1978, 1986), (England: 1966) that have competed in 16 different host countries. Each year committed fans in most every major city in the world follow religiously the game of futbol, or as it is called in North America and Australia, soccer. I have fond memories dating back to the 1990 World Cup in Roma where West Germany beat defending champions Maradona and the Argentines. In 1994 the games were on my home soil here in the US as I partied in Club Med in Cancun Mexico with Brazilians whose team won in a shootout against Italy. During the 1998 World Cup French campaign I was backpacking in Europe and made my way to Paris to catch a France v. Saudi Arabia match outside Stade de France. I have always desired to make it inside the stadium for a match when the world stops and turns its attention for 31 days to cheer on their national team, in hope that they will become the next World Cup Champion.
In 2002 the tournament was held for the first time in Asia and hosted by two different countries. Japan and South Korea surely provided a hospitable place for the world to witness world class futbol. It was the first time in my life where I transferred money into a stranger’s account in Australia in order to obtain a first round ticket via Ebay. For two weeks I was staying with my Japanese friend Takahiro “Elvis” Sato in his Kajima Corporation dormitory in the Tokyo metropolitan section of Kiba. During the week he worked all day and provided me a motorized scooter to tour the city where I got lost and explored the back streets of the overpopulated area. During my stay I planned to go to some World Cup matches and explore Japan a little more as it was five years since my last visit in 1997 to Osaka and Kobe. The country was buzzing with futbol energy as people from all over the world flocked to Japan to cheer on their team.
The first match I was able to attend was between Germany and Ireland. It took place in the city of Ibaraki, Japan at the Kashima Soccer Stadium (41.800 seats) 150km NE of Tokyo. I boarded a packed train with a bunch of Irish painted dressed up fans that were determined to march into the stadium and see a spectacular game of futbol. I was wearing my 1994 Irish World Cup shirt and sat with a crowd of 38,854 cheering fans to watch an unbelievable 1st round match. Germany was first to draw blood in the 19th minute as forward Miroslav Klose scored his first goal of five in the tournament as Germany had 1-0 lead into extra time. At the 92+ minute of play close to the end of regulation, the Irish found a way to score as Robbie Keane tied the Germans with a remarkable close to the net lashing goal off the post (only goal scored against the Germans until the final) giving the Irish an important point providing them with momentum moving forward into the tournament. The stadium erupted. It wasn’t Irish folks I hugged and celebrated with, but loyal Japanese fans that were all dressed up in Irish colors filled with great happiness and pride to be witnessing such a great match between two hard working teams.
As the tournament continued I desired to see the struggling Argentina team that faced elimination against the Swedes in Miyagi Stadium (49,133 seats). With the help of my Argentine friend back home, Paola Chiappolone, she was able to assist me in purchasing a ticket from the broker Razor Gator who always sets up local offices at major world championships. Once again the excitement and anticipation of every kick, pass, and shot on goal was taken in by the roaring crowds. Both teams of Sweden and Argentina showed their pride with on going non-stop songs and flowing flags. Since it was a must win for Argentina to continue in the tournament. The energy and play on the field was fierce. Argentina had control of the ball on Sweden’s side the majority of the match, but time and time again they would center the ball in the middle and have no players to connect with in front of the goal. Going into the second half the score was tied 0-0 as the play became more and more aggressive, and frustrating for the Argentine team.
Momentum quickly changed in the 59th minute of play when midfielder Anders Svensson of Sweden found the back of the net from 30m out with an unbelievable striking free kick curling over the wall towards the left of Argentine goalie Pablo Cavallero giving the Swedes the lead. It was then desperation time for Argentina as they struggled to match up against Sweden’s tough defense, but in the 88th minute of play the Argentines finally got a break as Sweden’s Mattias Jonson was called in the box for taking down Ariel Ortega. Ortega lined up for the penalty kick and was denied by Magnus Hedman on his left. As the blocked ball was ricocheted back into play, Hernan Crespo followed up with an explosive shot giving Argentina a 1-1 tie. During the next six minutes Argentina had their chances as they had two corner kicks and a last minute shot from the top left corner of the box by Claudio Lopez that side netted. As time ran out, so did the hope of the Argentine team that put up a strong fight to stay alive, but were knocked out by Sweden who qualified for the next round. Even the defending champions France failed to qualify by not even scoring one goal during their run here in the 2002 World Cup.
This is a tournament where each team must prepare, strategize, and execute as a unified team in order to be successful. In the first round Brazil went up against Turkey (2-1), China (4-1), and Costa Rica (5-2), where they easily breezed through and prepared for the 2nd round. Brazil faced Belgium for the first game of the 2nd round giving me the opportunity to land a $250.00 seat from Razor Gator once again. I was off to Kobe Wing Stadium (41, 122 seats) to take in a great game of futbol played by the Brazilians and their “Three R’s” (Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho). In the first half, right out of the gate Belgium put up a mean fight forcing great saves out of the Brazilian goalie Marcos. Brazil went on the attack with many missed shots and crosses, as the Belgium defense stood their ground. In the 44th minute Ronaldhino maneuverd his way through the box sending a shot from close range that was deflected by De Vlieger arms. Roberto Carlos sliced through to re-center, but connected with no one. Both teams went into halftime planning to re-adjust to the 0-0 tie. Aggressive play continued into the second half of play as the fierce competitive teams battled it out on both sides of the pitch. Finally during a Brazilian attack in the 67th minute, Rivaldo took a ball on his chest at the edge of the box, juggled it once with his back to the goal, turned around, and sent a rocket with his left that took a slight deflection, but fired past De Vlieger that never saw it coming giving Brazil a 1-0 lead. Futbol is a game of utilizing the whole field with finesse, speed, and team work. Brazil found the way to win together with crisp passes, thorough explosive runs, and superb team play. They would add another goal in the 87 minute by Ronaldo (5th of the tournament) to go ahead victorious 2-0. Brazil had all the tools to win and was the team to beat. After the game, little did I know that I would be stranded in the rain in a wheelchair for 8 hours taking shelter outside a police station at the Kobe main train station since there were no more trains back to Tokyo until the morning?
I had the unbelievable opportunity to witness games on the world’s most glorified stage by the two teams, Brazil and Germany, which would later meet in the World Cup Final (Brazil 2 Germany 0). It will be a memory that will be instilled with me forever. The celebration of sport and tradition where its supporters can come together as a country, and take pride in their team as ONE, is shown so highly throughout the World Cup. It’s a time where the most played sport in the world is in the spotlight, and allows the spectators to enjoy the sites and sounds of great futbol play by the best footballers around, showing everyone who watches what it takes to be a champion. �
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