The Hindu : 'Korea-mania' scales new heights

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 20, 2002

Sport

Sport - Football

'Korea-mania' scales new heights

PARTY TIME FIREWORKS: For a tiny nation, the World Cup fairytale goes on and on. And when South Korea stunned Italy to make the quarterfinal, millions of fans poured out on to the streets to celebrate. — Reuters

SEOUL June 19. South Korea's mass hysteria at the World Cup has scaled new heights with the team reaching the last eight and `Korea-mania' has earned a special place in the 72-year-old history of the tournament.

Hundreds of thousands of people, most of them teenagers or under 25, ran screaming through the capital after the golden goal winner from Ahn Jung-hwan in the 2-1 upset of Italy on Tuesday. Up to four million people, most dressed in red T-shirts and headbands, had taken to the streets to watch the match on huge television screens erected in squares across the country.

Fanatical home fans have been a characteristic of previous World Cups. But throughout the first tournament to be held in Asia fans watching these screens have created an atmosphere of fevered excitement usually associated with teenage pop bands. ``It has been extraordinary,'' FIFA communications director Keith Cooper said. ``I remember well the public enthusiasm in 1986 at the finals in Mexico and people lining the streets. ``But I think this has surpassed even that in sheer numbers.''

At previous World Cups the streets have tended to be deserted during games as fans watched at home or in bars or restaurants. It was only after matches that wild celebrations began in public. Children as young as seven or eight were joining in the chanting on Tuesday night but the majority were teenagers or adults under 25. They jumped up and down shouting madly every time the Koreans got the ball near the opponents' goal.

When pictures of Korea's coach Guus Hiddink appeared on the screen they screamed as if the 55-year-old Dutchman were a member of a boy band. There has been a curious discipline amid the madness. Hooliganism, a problem at previous World Cups, was nowhere in sight.

Alcohol was available but few people were drinking to excess. The drama of the football was giving them their kicks. ``Last night proved that you can enjoy football and you don't have to act violently or extremely,'' Cooper said.

In one square in Seoul, the fans, sitting hundreds of rows deep, were disciplined enough to sit down during the game so that everybody could see the screen, which was at least 100 metres away for those at the back of the throng.

Many fans had stood in line before dawn to get their place in front of the screens. Now they must prepare for another emotional day on Saturday in Kwangju when the team play Spain. The whole nation will be transfixed again. — Reuters

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