THEY ARE:
The positive side of Korea, the ones playing in red (which is strange considering the communist connotations of their poor relations/neighbours). Unlike their neighbours they are quite an Americanized nation.
AS A FOOTBALL NATION:
They are regular qualifiers for World Cups and in 2002 they made a fine job of co-hosting the event with Japan. Amazingly they made it to the semi finals of the 2002 tournament disposing of both Italy and Spain along the way. Eventually they went out to Germany and finished fourth in the tournament but they were a genuine breath of fresh air that you tend to hope will happen each year. The feat was a once in a lifetime achievement.
MY OWN EXPERIENCE:
South Korea is one of those cuddly footballing nations that it is fun to root for and in 2002 you began to wonder when the joke was going to end. Again this year I am likely to be on their side whenever they play.
IN 2010:
Situated in Group B they have the much fancied Argentina to deal with but elsewhere in the group they stand more than a fighting against Nigeria and Greece who are a couple of inconsistent teams to say the least.
FAMOUS PLAYERS:
Their current captain Park Ji-Sung is an understated star at Manchester United, a player it seems almost impossible to dislike.
MOST OBVIOUS REFERENCE:
These days it seems to be great horror movies. At one time it was eating dogs.
AWAY FROM FOOTBALL:
South Korea tends to be the West’s favourite Asian nation after Japan. Amazing movies such as Oldboy, Sympathy For Lady Vengeance and The Host make South Korea seem a very exciting, interesting and vibrant place to be.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM SOUTH KOREA THAT I KNOW:
Just over two years ago I found myself working with a lady from South Korea as part of our team. She was a fierce lady that appeared to hate me which was a shame because I had a lot of time for her. Additionally a year or so before that I once went on a date with a Korean lady called Jay who claimed to be a distant relative of Sun from Lost. Currently I have a friend called Swapna who is out in South Korea teaching English and having an amazing time.
QUOTE FROM A SOUTH KOREAN:
Not coming.
DO I LIKE THEM:
Yes I do.
FINAL COMMENT:
This one is for Margaret Cho and Lee Young Ae.
Showing posts with label Group B. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Group B. Show all posts
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
NIGERIA
THEY ARE:
Nigeria is another one of those African nations that holds something of a mystery and intrigue for Westerners.
AS A FOOTBALL NATION:
They have provided some exciting moments in past World Cups. In 1994 and 1998 they made it through the group stage into the knock out rounds in exciting fashion taking over from Cameroon as the top African football nation.
MY OWN EXPERIENCE:
In 2002 I was sitting accountancy exams and with the World Cup being in Asia the games was being played in the morning and when England played them I was sat in a car park outside an exam hall in Chelmsford listening to various car stereos all booming out the same match. Before the game was over it was time to go in for the exam before emerging three hours later to the reality that Nigeria had held England to a 0-0 draw.
IN 2010:
As in 1994 they are in a group with Argentina again (Group B). After a flat African Cup Of Nations they are not expected to fly but at the same time neither are Greece or South Korea who fill out the group. It is not beyond the realm possibility for them to progress to the knock out stage.
FAMOUS PLAYERS:
Daniel Amokachi was the name of the 90s side. Circa now they have the Everton pairing of Yobo and Yakubu in addition to veteran Kanu and the comedically named Danny Shittu.
MOST OBVIOUS REFERENCE:
These days it is all those scam emails. One day one of them will pay off for me.
AWAY FROM FOOTBALL:
In a fact stolen straight out of the Guardian World Cup guide Nigeria is the most populous country on the African continent with every fifth African being Nigerian.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM NIGERIA THAT I KNOW:
None until the next email.
QUOTE FROM A NIGERIAN:
Not coming.
DO I LIKE THEM:
Yes I do, the side from the nineties conjures up dynamic memories and the hope they may recapture that form.
FINAL COMMENT:
Nigeria helps confirm my belief that any team that plays in green is a good team.
Nigeria is another one of those African nations that holds something of a mystery and intrigue for Westerners.
AS A FOOTBALL NATION:
They have provided some exciting moments in past World Cups. In 1994 and 1998 they made it through the group stage into the knock out rounds in exciting fashion taking over from Cameroon as the top African football nation.
MY OWN EXPERIENCE:
In 2002 I was sitting accountancy exams and with the World Cup being in Asia the games was being played in the morning and when England played them I was sat in a car park outside an exam hall in Chelmsford listening to various car stereos all booming out the same match. Before the game was over it was time to go in for the exam before emerging three hours later to the reality that Nigeria had held England to a 0-0 draw.
IN 2010:
As in 1994 they are in a group with Argentina again (Group B). After a flat African Cup Of Nations they are not expected to fly but at the same time neither are Greece or South Korea who fill out the group. It is not beyond the realm possibility for them to progress to the knock out stage.
FAMOUS PLAYERS:
Daniel Amokachi was the name of the 90s side. Circa now they have the Everton pairing of Yobo and Yakubu in addition to veteran Kanu and the comedically named Danny Shittu.
MOST OBVIOUS REFERENCE:
These days it is all those scam emails. One day one of them will pay off for me.
AWAY FROM FOOTBALL:
In a fact stolen straight out of the Guardian World Cup guide Nigeria is the most populous country on the African continent with every fifth African being Nigerian.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM NIGERIA THAT I KNOW:
None until the next email.
QUOTE FROM A NIGERIAN:
Not coming.
DO I LIKE THEM:
Yes I do, the side from the nineties conjures up dynamic memories and the hope they may recapture that form.
FINAL COMMENT:
Nigeria helps confirm my belief that any team that plays in green is a good team.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
GREECE
THEY ARE:
Home of the Olympics, home of the athlete and a nation that is currently financially ravaged and on tender hooks. Perhaps a good performance at these finals will bring about an improvement in national morale.
AS A FOOTBALL NATION:
Never really considered too much of a might in the football world somehow they managed to win the European Championships in 2004. This was a victory coming straight out of nowhere from a nation once considered footballing whipping boys.
MY OWN EXPERIENCE:
At the time of their Euro 2004 victory I remember declaring it as “the worst thing to happen to European football in my lifetime.” A few years later England had a bit of trouble in dispatching them during the qualification group for Germany 2006 requiring that famous last gasp free kick at Old Trafford from David Beckham to scrape a 2-2 draw.
IN 2010:
Their European Championships victory seems/feels a long time ago now. Quite frankly it was a fluke. Situated in Group B they stand little chance of upsetting Argentina but against South Korea and Nigeria things could go either way.
FAMOUS PLAYERS:
*SHRUGS SHOULDERS* Theo Paphitis is quite famous in football.
MOST OBVIOUS REFERENCE:
Athens and its ruins.
AWAY FROM FOOTBALL:
A combination of tourism, the Olympics and now financial despair. Also kebabs.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM GREECE THAT I KNOW:
I used to regularly see a woman on the train many mornings I nicknamed “The Bubble”. I also have a friend of a friend called Nikos.
QUOTE FROM A GREEK:
Unfortunately none.
DO I LIKE THEM:
No I don’t them.
FINAL COMMENT:
I have no final comment.
Home of the Olympics, home of the athlete and a nation that is currently financially ravaged and on tender hooks. Perhaps a good performance at these finals will bring about an improvement in national morale.
AS A FOOTBALL NATION:
Never really considered too much of a might in the football world somehow they managed to win the European Championships in 2004. This was a victory coming straight out of nowhere from a nation once considered footballing whipping boys.
MY OWN EXPERIENCE:
At the time of their Euro 2004 victory I remember declaring it as “the worst thing to happen to European football in my lifetime.” A few years later England had a bit of trouble in dispatching them during the qualification group for Germany 2006 requiring that famous last gasp free kick at Old Trafford from David Beckham to scrape a 2-2 draw.
IN 2010:
Their European Championships victory seems/feels a long time ago now. Quite frankly it was a fluke. Situated in Group B they stand little chance of upsetting Argentina but against South Korea and Nigeria things could go either way.
FAMOUS PLAYERS:
*SHRUGS SHOULDERS* Theo Paphitis is quite famous in football.
MOST OBVIOUS REFERENCE:
Athens and its ruins.
AWAY FROM FOOTBALL:
A combination of tourism, the Olympics and now financial despair. Also kebabs.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM GREECE THAT I KNOW:
I used to regularly see a woman on the train many mornings I nicknamed “The Bubble”. I also have a friend of a friend called Nikos.
QUOTE FROM A GREEK:
Unfortunately none.
DO I LIKE THEM:
No I don’t them.
FINAL COMMENT:
I have no final comment.
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