Soccer: Kick in the right direction for South Korean rivals

By PETER GRIFFIN

In downtown Seoul, the heart of South Korea's massive technology and manufacturing industries, it was obvious that little work was done yesterday.

In a sprawling metropolis crowded at the best of times, the streets brimmed with suits and briefcases as hundreds of thousands of South Koreans slipped out of work early to watch their home team take on the United States at Daegu. Their bosses would have risked riots if they had made them stay.

To the delight of South Koreans their side fought back from a goal down to draw 1-1 against the US.

Since the World Cup matches began, soccer-hungry South Koreans have converged religiously at points around the city where massive TV screens hang from the sides of skyscrapers.

The square in front of Seoul's City Hall is bathed in neon every night as cup highlights and lavish ads flash around a 15m-high football.

While Seoul hummed over the weekend in anticipation of the showdown with the US, the attention of this soccer-crazed nation has now turned to today's all-important match between France and Denmark.

Will Zinedine Zidane take the field to inject the flair and energy the French team have been missing in lacklustre efforts so far?

Everyone knows the shame the French face if they fail to clinch victory.

A World Cup title-holder has not been knocked out in the first round since 1966 when Brazil bowed out prematurely.

Sentiment on the streets of Seoul is in favour of the Danes, most believing that France have left their bid for qualification too late.

While the cup matches are delighting millions of fans, the most noticeable aspect of the tournament is the multi-culturism of the event.

For a few exciting hours every day each stadium becomes an ethnic melting pot. Koreans paint their faces with the red and white of Turkey and an international mix of soccer shirts lights up the stands.

While the politics of the cup, the embarrassing underselling of tickets and attempts to tax the tele-screens have stirred debate, the wider political implications of the cup are also noticeable.

The South Korean papers hint at an ever-so-small improvement in ties with communist North Korea as a result of the tournament.

In a country largely cut off from the Western world and the modernity of South Korea, North Koreans have seen snatches of matches between Russia and Tunisia as well as Denmark and Senegal.

The two countries have agreed to play each other in a soccer match after the tournament.

Reports of South Korean professors being given permission to teach at North Korean universities and increasing trade between North Korea and the US are also promising and no doubt timed with the games in mind.

If there is anything to bring old foes together, maybe it's a good game of soccer.

nzherald.co.nz/fifaworldcup

Groups and team lists
Stars
Schedule
Points tables
Previous winners and key statistics

Interactive graphics:
Groups and team profiles