So close....

The World Cup for Korea and for the United States has ended.  They ended in the first round of the knockout stage.  While the Korean loss ends the three week party that has been happening here in Seoul, I know the American loss is being greeted with the normal "meh".  The American side failed to live up to expectations again.  However, this time I feel like more people have noticed in the United States, due to the fact we almost didn't qualify.  It's funny how American's won't care about something until they think the team has been robbed.  Honestly, those two horrible ref decisions might just be the best thing to happen to American soccer.  It sparked outrage amongst people who might not have known the World Cup was being held.  It created interest in these men who were playing a good game and yet somehow, due to bad reffing, still not coming away with the victory they deserved.  I can only hope that this World Cup has helped fuel the fire that is starting to grow in America around soccer and the World Cup. 

For the this World Cup and the previous one, I have been on foreign soil.  I have been in countries with glorious Football histories, Germany, Italy, and England.  I have also been in a country that is struggling to create its identity and history.  South Korea has never won the World Cup.  Throughout its history it has only qualified for the knockout stage twice.  The first was in 2002 when they rode maniacal support from their fans as a host nation.  The second time is the current World Cup.  They advanced on foreign soil for the first time ever.  They also did it with a Korean coach at the helm.  In 2002 Gus Hiddink, he of Chelsea and Russia fame. coached the Korean side to the semifinals.  Korea is struggling to place themselves as the powerhouse of Asian football.  They currently are the best team in Asia, but it is very close between themselves and Japan.  Korea's place amongst the elite nations of Football is possibly close at hand.  I expect great things from them at the next few World Cups. 

With that over I guess I should tell you how I spent my last weekend of intense World Cup watching.  In truth, the World Cup had completely screwed up my sleeping schedule.  Do or die games were being played live at 3:00 AM, and I am just crazy enough to wake up and watch.  The final day came on a gloomy Saturday.  Rain was forecast throughout Korea, but that did not stop 50,000 people from gathering at Seoul City Hall.  Amongst those 50,000 were myself and several friends.  We came decked out in red to support the Red Devils (Korea's team nickname).  We arrived three hours early, and there was already 30,000 people sitting on the street.  The party atmosphere was entirely unique.  In the United States you could not find 50,000 people this orderly.  It was ridiculous.  The only time any chaos reigned was when the downpours began about an hour before the game.  Apparently some people forgot to check the forecast and even though the sky was gray and threatening, decided not to purchase a poncho for 1,000 Won (80 cents). 

The party started long before the game, and honestly, had the game started at 3:00 AM the party still would have started in the afternoon.  Luckily the game was held at 11:00 PM.  Uruguay, while good at football, is not a dominant team.  However, the team had just enough to beat Korea 2-1.  It was a great game, and the second goal came on an absolutely brilliant and lucky shot.  The player who made the goal even admitted it was lucky.  He shot the ball across the goal and curved it just enough to hit the upright and in.  It was something to see.  Sadly, it had not be done by a Korean player.  Oh well.  The party was over with the final whistle and the 50,000 fans, now subdued by the loss filed down to the subway to leave. 

I wish I could claim this was the end of my night, but sometimes in Korea, 1 AM is just the beginning.  This was one of those nights because the USA was playing Ghana at 3:30 in the morning.  This match I had to see.  My friends and I filed down onto the subway and began reveling in our American fandom.  Chants of USA echoed up and down the subway, and even an ad-libbed soccer song came out of us.  Of course in true American style it had nothing to do with soccer and more about proclaiming the fact that we were drunk.  Now I feel the need to state that while I was intoxicated, I was not drunk.  Needless to say it was a great subway ride to Hongdae.  We may have annoyed the Koreans a little bit, but I think the fact that all of us were still wearing our Korea gear helped. 

Upon arriving in Hongdae we found a bar that was going to show the America match and sat down to drink and pass the few hours.  Well during that time, Jake was challenged to a rap battle.  Yes, I know what you are thinking.  Rap battle, what is this 8 mile?  Well, honestly the answer is yes.  Jake is an Englishman from Liverpool, and apparently has quite the reputation in Hongdae as a freestyle rapper.  We walked over to Hongdae park, which at 2:45 in the morning was full of young people singing, playing guitar, and drinking.  There was one enterprising Korean who had set up a cocktail bar in the park.  The Korean who challenged Jake had spent a lot of time living in Virginia and spoke fluent English.  The rap battle was interesting to watch, being that this was the first one I had ever experienced.  Jake stumbled some out the gates, but quickly recovered to win the battle.

With the deleted scene from 8 Mile over we headed back to the bar and sat down to watch the USA game.  I wish I could say things ended well for us, but we fell asleep on defense one too many times.  With the USA out, and it also being 6:00 in the morning I headed back to Central City Bus Terminal.  I was going to catch an early bus back to Seosan.  I arrived back in Seosan at 8:00 in the morning and proceeded to walk to my apt and go to sleep.  The World Cup and all the wonderful things it brought to Korea was over.  It is sad, but I am glad I was here to fully experience it.