<u>International Soccer:</u>
FIFA WORLD CUP 2002, SUMMED UP! - by RJ. - lo.l.
It's now only several hours away until the World Cup Final in Japan's national stadium between Brazil and Germany who have won the World Cup seven times between them both.
It is quite amazing that before the tournament started, the Footballing experts along with the media were claiming that Brazil and Germany were no hopers after struggling to qualify, but here we are now, just hours away from the World Cup 2002 Final and the two unlikely superpowers are in the final against the odds.
This years World Cup tournament in Japan and South Korea has been quite amazing, with so many expectations on certain nations, it all went horribly wrong for the big guns as the so called 'minnows' of the game took control. With the likes of tournament favourites Argentina going out in the Group Phase and world champions France flopping out also in the Group Stage along with World Cup contenders Portugal, it left the knockout stages wide open.
But that wasn't the end of the shocks. Days after the Group Phase had finished, co-hosts South Korea scored a Golden Goal to knock out superpowers Italy in the Second Round 2-1. The home nation went wild in their celebrations while the Italians went crazy, as Perugia, an Italian club sacked Korean star Hwang who scored the goal that sent the Italians crashing out. So, one more early exit, and there was more to come. The day before, it was Senegal who made yet more giant killing when they knocked out the 'Group of Death' (Group F) winners Sweden 2-1 on Golden Goal. But that still wasn't the end of the giant killings in that round, next it was the States' turn. It was USA versus Mexico, a huge game for both nations but the Mexicans were on fire after drawing with Italy to finish top of their group while the Americans came off the back of a 3-1 defeat to Poland but somehow, the States' managed to pull off a magnificent 2-0 victory.
In the Quarter Final stages there was to be another shock result, this time the team who were more likely to reach the final at this point, Spain. The Spaniards were beaten on penalties after a 0-0 draw with South Korea but after having two perfectly fine disallowed goals, the media began to claim that their were conspiracy going on with the South Koreans, although national coach from Holland, Guus Hiddink denied any reports and claims over the situation. But that seemed to be the end of the shocks. In the Semi Final stage, Brazil overcame Turkey 1-0 while Germany defeated a disappointed Korean team 1-0 after a goal by wonder star Michael Ballack, who will miss the final after receiving two yellow cards against USA and Korea.
So, after the 3rd/4th Place Play-Off, which ended 3-2 to Turkey over South Korea in an exciting affair, it is almost time for the biggest sporting show of the year 2002, Soccer's FIFA World Cup 2002 Final. The favourites for this one are Brazil after some impressive results while on paper, Germany have probably had a slightly easier run to the final and have struggled at the same time which suggests Brazil, the Samba Boys' are hot favourites.
But how did both nations get to the final? As you already know, both were doomed to be knocked out early according to the media. While all the big headline shocks were taking place both in Japan and in South Korea, some made by the two home nations, Brazil and Germany were both getting on with their own business. Brazil had comfortably finished top of their group as expected while Germany just managed to qualify in top spot in their group after struggling against the Republic of Ireland. In the Second Round, neither nations were impressive as Germany scored a last minute goal to jump past Paraguay while Brazil scored two second half goals to get past the determined Belgium outfit. Next up were the Quarter Final stages. Brazil had their toughest test to date as they faced England, regarded the tournaments best team by many. But the Samba Boys', despite going 1-0 down came back to win 2-1, and held on for the win after star player, involved in both of their goals - in Ronaldinho got sent-off after a rash challenge on Danny Mills, the England right-back. Later in the day it was Germany's turn to entertain. They faced the USA, making a Quarter Final appearance for the first time, but the Germans were not very impressive but Ballack saved the day as he scored the only goal of the game and controversy came when USA should have had a penalty but was disallowed.
The Quarter Final tie for Germany may not have been pretty, nor was their Semi Final 1-0 win over South Korea, but they played like robots', just like the old days and it paid off. The Brazilians on the other hand were much more entertaining to watch as they beat Turkey by one goal to nil, it may not have been a big score but they put in a few tricks or two frightening the life out of Turkey's defence on a number of occasions.
So, here we have it, although the two World Cup legends, they are the two nations who were dubbed 'no hopers' by the media but they have both proved their critics wrong. Ok, Germany may have had a bit of luck on the way but their is no doubting Brazil's place in the final who overcame a strong England squad with the likes of David Beckham, Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes in the young Lions' line-up.
so, who exactly won in the end ?
<u>International Soccer:</u>
<u>Sunday 30th June 2002:</u>
<u>FIFA World Cup Final 2002:</u>
Brazil 2-0 Germany
At Stadium, Japan
Att: 69,000 (capacity)
Brazil have won a record five World Cups after defeating three times world champions (as West) Germany by two goals to nil. Ronaldo scored the only two goals of the game to fade away the memories of his and Brazil's nightmare 3-0 loss to France in the 1998 final.
Below, Brazil captain Cafu holds up the FIFA World Cup trophy to his delight.
<Picture from BBC Sport.
The pre-match favourites were without a doubt, the boys from South America but the Germans started off the brightest dominating most of the possession in the first 20 minutes but an early complacent Brazil outfit had the better of the chance's. The first realistic chance of the game came into the feet of star player Ronaldo on 19 minuteswho tried to tap the ball past Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn but failed miserably as it went wide of his far post on the left. Minutes later Ronaldo had another decent chance deadinfront of goal but Kahn and the German defence did enough to put him off producing an effective attempt.
Brazil began to take control and pushed for their first goal but after an enormous amount of pressure on theGerman defence just before half-time, the robots' of Germany held on. Kleberson hit the bar while the world's best goalkeeper Oliver Kahn saved a snap shot from Ronaldo after a fast ball inside the penalty box by left-back Roberto Carlos.
In the second half it was inevitable that Germany were going to concede at some point during the half as the Samba Boys' attacked at every opportunity but it was the Germans who had the first chance when Neuville's free-kick strook the post. But it was Brazil who scored the first goal but they had to wait until the 67th minute when a rare mistake by Oliver Kahn after a Rivaldo shot resulted in a tap in for Ronaldo. The Brazilians were keen to secure the victory with another quick goal and they did when Ronaldo converted atidy shot to give Brazil the World Cup. Brazil produced some attractive attacking play for the fans and as much as Germany tried, they couldn't get back into the game and were down and out. But it was a spirited effort by Germany who suprised everyone by qualifying for the final against the odds. Ronaldo won the Golden Boot scoring 8 goals in just 7 matches while partner Rivaldo bagged 6 goals.
rj.
Do you think that the FIFA World Cup 2002 was a success ???</h2>http://Worldcup.5er.com 
