BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Giant knocks out giant in the
final. It is not rare in World Cup history. Rare are a sizable
number of soccer powers falling one after another and traditional
outsiders doing so well and going so far.
The world of soccer will never be the same after Asia's first
World Cup finals, concluded by Brazil's convincing 2-0 victory
over Germany in the final Sunday night.
Out early were France, Argentina, Portugal, England, Italy and
Spain. Shining through were South Korea, Turkey, Senegal, the
United States and Japan.
The South Koreans, who had never won a match in five previous
World Cup trips, romped into the semifinals with a team who fought
hard.
Turkey finished third on their first appearance in 48 years,
taking a piece of history by scoring the quickest ever finals goal.
Senegal, one of four debutants in South Korea and Japan, opened
the World Cup of Shocks with a stunning win over defending
champions France and ended up in the last eight.
The United States, having clinched a quarter-final berth, show
the world their doormat days are over.
South Korea are the first Asian team to make it to the last
four, going further than a Democratic People's Republic of Korea
team, who upset Italy 1-0 to reach the 1966 quarter-finals.
South Korea were undefeated in their group with wins over
Poland and world No. 5 Portugal and a draw with the United States.
They kept their giant-killing run in knock-out stages, edging
Italy 2-1 in the second round and beating Spain 5-3 in a penalty
shoot-out after a goalless 120 minutes in the quarter-finals.
The losing coaches were quick to point fingers to referees.
Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni blamed Ecuadorian ref Byron Moreno
for the Azzuri's inglorious defeat by South Korea.
He never blamed himself and his team.
Italy didn't have South Korea's firing hunger to win. In his
post-game conference, the coach conveniently forgot to criticize
his captain, Francesco Totti, for getting expelled for diving in
the rivals' penalty box, and to blame his striker, Christian Vieri,
for missing a couple of easy kills.
In the second half, Italy retreated into a defensive shell and
allowed the South Koreans to attack. The hosts were happy to
oblige. In the last 15 minutes of regulation time, only one side
showed genuine appetite for goals. That side won.
Hunger, discipline, superior fitness, world class coach Guus
Hiddink and wildly supportive fans and a bit Italian experience
carried the South Koreans through.
South Korean hero Ahn Jung-hwan plays for Serie A club Perugia,
which axed him after he scored a golden goal to knock out Italy (
the club retracted the decision later).
In response, a philosophical Ahn thanked Italy for giving him
the international experience that made him a better player.
Can anyone come up with a more gracious way to rub salt in a
wound?
While Saudi Arabia and China combined to allow 21 goals to fill
in the last places of 32 teams, the two co-hosts, with Japan
reaching the round of 16 in their only second World Cup appearance,
were flying Asian flag in soccer's premier event.
Turkey, who made the semi-finals and achieved a creditable 1-0
loss to Brazil, establish for all to see what Turks have always
said - Turkey are global soccer contenders with the promise of
more to come.
After surprising African nations by even qualifying for the
finals, Senegal defied all the odds by reaching the quarter-finals,
winning the hearts of the continent and many fans outside Africa
with their smooth displays and relaxed attitude off the pitch.
The United States, who had not reached the Cup quarter-finals
since 1930, are soccer somebodies again. In large measure that's
due to the launch of a new professional league in 1996, which
provides a reliable supply of quality footballers to augment their
European-based stars.
For 70 years the game of soccer has been monopolized by South
America and Europe.
This World Cup has showed the times are changing. Enditem
By Sportswriters Cao Jianjie and Xue Jianying
