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| Sunday, 30 June 2002 |
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Through the thunder of South Korea, Asia the ground for A first ever Brazil Germany final by Srian Obeyesekere Through the blood and thunder of South Korea, for a niche in becoming the only Asian country to enter a semi final in its 72-year old history, the soccer World Cup has dressed down for a Brazil-Germany final. Today, Sunday 30 carries a significance to the entire football globe, not the least Sri Lanka, as two giants in the game - Brazil from the South American region and Germany from Europe kick off in Japan's city of Yokohama to decide who will wear the coveted crown. To Asia as much. For perhaps never in its long history has the world cup been so related to its regions. From a tournament point of view co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. As much as for that history making journey by a gallant bunch of soccerites who braved the odds to march past stronger opposition to put South Korea on the world map. It is through all the thrills and excitement not without its share of corruption taunts that the 2002 edition has reached its zenith. Even as Brazil and Germany fancy their chances, the South Koreans, who at the time of writing play Turkey for third place on Saturday, will irrespective of the result standout heroes in the eyes of the Asian world if not the rest. It is their awesome courage of dictating the game that compensated for technique in beating such countries from the European sector like Portugal, Italy and Spain before being stopped by a superior German side that saw the Koreans tire off before capitalising on it. The South Koreans will continue to smile down at soccer's fortunes to give new life to its global image. Not only for the `Be the Reds' tee-shirts of their `Red Devil' heroes who turned the form books upside down to be dubbed the `Germans of Asia'. Their education authorities have already deemed the extravaganza fit as text book matter to give students more exposure to international affiars. As much Asia will be the ground for Brazil and Germany in quest of lost fortunes as millions of crazed fans, some at the stadia, others glued to giant satelitte screens and still others hooked to their TVs will for sure drink in every second of it. Interestingly, Brazil carries the best credentials as four times winners in 1958, `62,, `70, and `94 as against Germany's three in 1954, `74, and `90. But what must stir the Brazilians as never before is the fact they are nearer a record fifth title that eluded them in 1998. Not the least striker Ronaldo. France 1998 wrote a black chapter in Brazilian soccer as much as to Ronaldo's career marked by a convulsive fit the night before the final leading to a 0-3 holocaust at the hands of the host country. It was a tournament on which Ronaldo had been hailed as the wizard with the ball, but ended a failure. In that light, today Yokohama must mean much for Ronaldo than any other in realising a dream as he looks to translate the form that has made him the highest goal scorer with 6 to bigger things in Brazil's seventh tilt at the title. With 10 goals in the world cup history to his credit, he is only second to the legendary Pele's 12. In a sport hogged more than any other for its simplicity, but difficult to master, Brazil did evoke technique to their play by the way they moved the ball in their 1-0 semi final win against Turkey in a tournament that has been dominated more by brwan. Germany too gave glimpses of skill in working the ball in their 1-0 semi final win over South Korea. But will be badly handicapped without striker Michael Ballack, their match winner in that game through a yellow card. The man in form has been Miroslav Klose with 5 goals in the tournament alongside Brazil's Rivaldo and Ronaldhino. The latter back for the final after missing the semi final from a yellow card, could make the difference for Brazil judging by that beauty 35 yards out match winning goal against England in the quarter final. In the absence of Ballck, Germany will heavily depend on the boot of Oliver Neuville who was the match winner in the quarter final against the USA. As Brazil look to break a 4-year jinx and Germany an 8-year old, Asia will go down in history. It brings together for the first time two countries who have never met in seven finals. At the end of it, the tournament looks set to have the world controlling body - FIFA review its rules in the wake of questionable refereeing decisions which has led to calls for the use of the video to eradicate wrong calls. Two of the most questionable where Spain were denied a goal by virtue of an unsighted handball and the other where Turkey were down to 10 players when an unsighted referee handed the yellow card to one of its players after Rivaldo overreacted in a first round match against Brazil. |
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