We continue our build up to the World Cup this summer along with the guys at Baggies Facts with a review of those gone by.
The 2002 competition was held in Asia for the very first time jointly by South Korea and Japan. The bidding process was narrowed down to just South Korea, Japan and Mexico but the two Asian nations put together a joint bid in the latter stages.
A total of 199 countries were involved in the qualifying rounds for the finals while the two host countries automatically qualified. The finals consisted of four Asian nations, five African, three North American, five South American and fifteen from Europe.
There were plenty of doubters after the finals were awarded to Japan and South Korea but it turned out to be a success. It was a different footballing culture in countries whose football leagues were beginning to take a foothold in their part of the world.
Group Stage
The five week long competition kicked off in Seoul, South Korea and as is common with opening World Cup games, this one didn’t go to plan with holders France being beaten by debutants Senegal. It was very reminicent of Cameroon defeating Argentina at Italia 90.
The result set the tone for the group as France were unable to recover from that early loss and returning home courtesy of managing just a single point after a draw with Uruguay. Meanwhile Senegal made it through to the second phase as runners up by following up their opening game win with draws against Uruguay and group winners Denmark.
Most groups went as expected with the likes of Spain, Brazil, Germany and Italy all progressing. It was tight for the Italians though as a draw with group winners Mexico saw them through as runners up but had Croatia beaten Ecuador in the other game in the group they would have been going home.
Two groups did spring a few surprises. Joint hosts South Korea were on the crest of a wave playing at home and getting plenty of plaudits for their style. They took their group by beating Portugal in the final game which sent the Europeans home while USA took the runners up spot having beaten Portugal earlier in the group but losing their final game against Poland.
The group that England found themselves in was along with old enemies Argentina, Sweden and Nigeria. A draw in the opener against Sweden was a moderate start but the second game was seen as more revenge for Mexico 86. A single goal ffrom captain David Beckham was enough to see off the South Americans who needed a win in their final game against Sweden. They could only manage a draw against a Sweden side led by talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic who topped the group on goal difference from England in second place who played out a goal-less draw in their final game. The Argentinians were sent packing.
Second Round
The second round had more surprises in store. The biggest was South Korea beating a much fancied Italian side after extra time while Senegal continued their great World Cup by sending Sweden home. The might of Germany beat Paraguay by a single goal and USA sent Mexico home. Spain had a tougher time against the Republic of Ireland by winning on penalties, Brazil beat Belgium 2-0 and Turkey made it to the quarter finals as well by beating home nation Japan by a single goal.
Meanwhile England faced Denmark in Niigata who won their group so impressively. But goals from Ferdinand, Owen and Heskey ensured England were into the quarter finals.
Quarter Finals
A narrow win for Germany over the United States courtesy of Michael Ballack secured another semi final place for them.
England took on the might of Brazil in Shizuoka. A Michael Owen goal gave England the lead but it was later cancelled out by in form Rivaldo. An error by a flat footed David Seaman allowed a speculative free kick from distance by Ronaldinho to give the Brazilians the lead. Even though he saw red, his goal ended up being decisive for Brazil and they moved on to the semi finals.
The biggest surprise of the round was South Korea once again who contraversially defeated Spain on penalties to reach their first ever semi final. The controversy was that Spain had two goals disallowed in extra time but Joaquin was the unlucky Spaniard to miss his penalty kick while the Koreans efficiently scored all of theirs to send them through.
The battle of the two unfancied teams between Turkey and Senegal took place in Osaka and it was a narrow win for the Europeans courtesy of a golden goal from Ilhan. Senegal headed home after a wonderful World Cup and the only African side to make the quarter final stage.
Semi Finals
The semi finals looked like ending only one way, and the media were already talking of a Germany v Brazil final.
A strong German side faced South Korea in Seoul for the first game and it was far from plain sailing. A narrow win for the favourites but the Koreans could hold their heads up high after a single goal from Michael Ballack.
In the second quarter final it was Brazil taking on Turkey in Saitama, and like the first it was a win for the fancied team by a single goal. Ronaldo scored just after half time which was enough to see them through to the final. Along with South Korea, Turkey has been a real surprise package in this World Cup.
Third Place Play Off
The third placed game took place in Daegu between South Korea and Turkey. There were plenty of first half goals and at half time it was 3-1 to Turkey courtesy of goals from Hakan Sukur and two from Ilhan. South Korea could only manage one more in the second half and Turkey held on for a 3-2 win.
Final
The final was between two countries that have World Cup pedigree, both having won the trophy more than once. A second half double from Ronaldo saw off the Germans and gave the peoples favourites Brazil their fifth World Cup. Germany were runners up for a record fourth time.
The first goal came after German keeper Oliver Kahn could not deal with a long range Rivaldo effort and Ronaldo was on hand to slot the ball home. The same two players combined well to create the second goal and Ronaldo was on hand to slot home once again.
Awards
The top scorers chart was dominated by the two finalists as you would expect. The ‘original‘ Ronaldo led the way with eight goals and took the Golden Boot award followed by his team mate Rivaldo and German Miroslav Klose both on five goals.
As for the other awards it was German keeper Oliver Khan scooping both the Golden Ball and Yashin awards, American Landon Donovan with the Young Player award, flair play award going to Belgium and the most entertaining team being South Korea.
The all star team from the finals is below;
- Keepers – Oliver Kahn (Germany), Rustu Recber (Turkey)
- Defenders – Campbell (England), Fernando Hierro (Spain), Hong Myung-Bo (South Korea), Alpay Ozalan (Turkey), Roberto Carlos (Brazil)
- Midfielders – Michael Ballack (Germany), Claudio Reyna (USA), Rivaldo (Brazil), Ronaldinho (Brazil), Yoo Sang-Chul (South Korea)
- Forwards – El Hadji Diouf (Senegal), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Ronaldo (Brazil), Hasan Sas (Turkey)
Here you can enjoy the top twenty goals from the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
