Asia's first, Brazil's fifth

The enthusiasm of the people of Japan and South Korea was refreshing and contagious. PHOTO: DAILY STAR ARCHIVE

2002 was the first World Cup in Asia, the first to have two hosts (in South Korea and Japan), and the opening game produced an astonishing upset. Reigning champions and Euro 2000 winners France were one of the biggest pre-tournament favourites ever, with Senegal a massive 10/1 against to beat a side containing Vieira, Desailly, Henry and Thuram but -- crucially -- missing the injured genius of Zinedine Zidane. But they did, thanks to a goal from Papa Bouba Diop.
Senegal's excellent run continued. They drew 1-1 with Denmark and 3-3 in a thriller with Uruguay as they qualified from Group A. A second round win over Sweden prolonged the story, only for Turkey to end their run in the quarterfinals.
It proved to be a tournament of shocks. Both co-hosts did better than predicted, with Japan reaching the last 16 and South Korea producing a story to perhaps even surpass that of the west Africans.
Having finished top of a group that included Portugal and Poland, Guus Hiddink's men faced the mighty Italy in the second round. Christian Vieri gave the Italians an early lead only for Seol Ki-Hyeon to level in the dying moments, before Ahn Jung-Hwan's extra-time winner sent a nation into delirium -- and one of the favourites home.
Korea, whose remarkable run was causing mass hysteria at home, ploughed on as they went on to beat much-fancied Spain on penalties, before losing out to a Michael Ballack goal in the semifinals against Germany.
There were stories emerging everywhere – the early exits for France and Argentina, the Rivaldo play-acting incident, the emergence of Ronaldinho and the re-birth of Ronaldo -- and, of course, the pandemonium surrounding England and their captain David Beckham.
Beckham was idolised in the Far East. His poster boy looks adorned countless billboards, his every move was intensely scrutinised and the second metatarsal on his left foot -- injured by the Argentine Aldo Duscher in April -- became the best-known bone on earth as he battled to be fit in time. His fame was exploding, though threatening to cast a shadow over England's preparations.
Luckily for England, Beckham recovered in the nick of time and scored the winning penalty against Argentina as they cruised to a quarterfinal meeting with Brazil. Unfortunately they were no match for the eventual winners, despite the Brazilians being down to 10 men for more than half an hour.
Ronaldinho's 'did he mean it?' free-kick that floated over David Seaman had earned Brazil a last-four berth and Ronaldo -- rapidly making up for lost time after some injury-ravaged seasons and the horror of the 1998 World Cup final- struck the winner against the Turks to book another final spot.
As redemption in the eyes of his people beckoned, Ronaldo laid to rest the ghost of Paris. He twice slotted past Germany's Golden Ball winner Oliver Kahn to earn the Brazilians their fifth triumph as Cafu, the only man to play in three successive World Cup finals, lifted the FIFA World Cup Trophy in Yokohama.
In the Land of the Rising Sun, the Samba Kings once again ruled the earth. But the unfancied nations had certainly cashed in on their chance to shine.

Facts & Figures
Winners: Brazil
Runners-up: Germany
Leading Scorer: Ronaldo (BRA)--8
Teams: 32
Matches: 64
Goals: 161
Attendance: 2,705,197