Argentina were shocking, lost to England and drew Sweden.
I remember Owen's dive, it was epic hahahhaha
Was Japan/Korea 2002 the strangest World cup in history?
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Argentina were shocking, lost to England and drew Sweden.
I remember Owen's dive, it was epic hahahhaha
Didn't helped them Batistuta was on a downward spiral and Bielsa still favoured him to start ahead of Crespo, and Bielsa took the ridiculous decision to leave Riquelme at home when he certainly was already a top player at Boca Juniors (when they actually were a pain in the ass for European Teams when they faced them at Intercontinental Cups).
I was the only Irish kid in my school. This somehow gave me special dispensation to skip classes to watch our matches in an otherwise empty assembly hall.
It didn't seem strange at the time!
It didn't seem strange at the time!
There was a world cup in 2002? 
Memorable for me because it marked the coming-out party for Ji-Sung, before that he was just another young squad member plying his trade overseas.
Personally up there with 2010 as the worst WC I've personally witnessed. Corrupt officiating, bad games, just a shit tournament, the venues were nice for the time though.
I'm not sure about China, they're kinda shit at it.
Would love to hear about that.
The first positive memories of a World Cup I’ve got, despite all the matches starting at something insane like 3am. I distinctly remember waking my whole house up when we beat Portugal in our first game, then beating Mexico dos a cero in the knockout rounds was just perfection. I’m still a bit salty about going out to Germany in the manner it happened.
Loved the ball and the Predators that came out - which I got and wore for probably a decade.
Loved the ball and the Predators that came out - which I got and wore for probably a decade.
My earliest memories as a “fan” of the game. Waking up early by myself before anyone was up in the house. It was also at a time when most european football was inaccessible in the U.S. Crazy to hear how people didn’t enjoy this tournament.
Pure corruption. FIFA got away with it. Italy and Spain were sacrificed. Ironically, the two best teams in the world at the time faced each other in the final. I also remember the quick collapse of the greatest generation of French footballers and Turkey's golden age.
I didn't remember the Netherlands being unable to qualify for this WC; Van Gaal at this worst (2000-2002, failed with Barca, failed with Holland, after his 1992-99 peak).
I didn't remember the Netherlands being unable to qualify for this WC; Van Gaal at this worst (2000-2002, failed with Barca, failed with Holland, after his 1992-99 peak).
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My earliest memory as a fan for the WC.
Kahn was superhuman all tournament, but then blundered in the WC final.
That was undoubtedly USA's best team ever too. We outplayed Germany in the quarters and were unlucky to lose.
A lot of infamous/iconic moments in that tournament: Rivaldo's disgusting play-acting, the shameful match-fixing that dented Italy/Spain, Ronaldo Nazario's salvation, Ronaldinho's goal vs England, France's flame-out, etc.
Kahn was superhuman all tournament, but then blundered in the WC final.
That was undoubtedly USA's best team ever too. We outplayed Germany in the quarters and were unlucky to lose.
A lot of infamous/iconic moments in that tournament: Rivaldo's disgusting play-acting, the shameful match-fixing that dented Italy/Spain, Ronaldo Nazario's salvation, Ronaldinho's goal vs England, France's flame-out, etc.
Quality world cup, as an Ireland fan still gutted I never went but as a 19 year old student I had no chance.
The Brazil team of 98 seemed stronger than the 02 one, but that 02 front 3 was ridiculous.
Remember the pattern on the ball made it look like a triangle when played long.
The Brazil team of 98 seemed stronger than the 02 one, but that 02 front 3 was ridiculous.
Remember the pattern on the ball made it look like a triangle when played long.
This tournament was a depressing trainwreck if you were following Ukraine and Russia, though given what is going on now it seems ridiculous to even talk about it.
I also remember Belgium having a legit goal that would have given them a 1-0 lead against Brazil being ruled out. Watching it again, it's a disgraceful decision.
Turkey played good attacking football, and were one of the few highlight teams of that tournament.
I also remember Belgium having a legit goal that would have given them a 1-0 lead against Brazil being ruled out. Watching it again, it's a disgraceful decision.
Turkey played good attacking football, and were one of the few highlight teams of that tournament.
In terms of quality, I thought that it was the 2nd worst World Cup that I’ve properly followed, with 2010 the only worse one.
From England's perspective, Sol Campbell was named in the tournament's dream team, but I thought that Ferdinand was clearly better.
From England's perspective, Sol Campbell was named in the tournament's dream team, but I thought that Ferdinand was clearly better.
Mbo Mpenza! Whatever happened to him?
Remember his brother being decent at Schalke for a few years before less glorious spells at Man. City and Plymouth.
Remember his brother being decent at Schalke for a few years before less glorious spells at Man. City and Plymouth.