Going Oriental by Mark Perryman
World Cup 2002, 31 days that shook the world of football and had fans everywhere gasping for more. There has arguably never been a tournament like it, with an upset arising almost every day: Cup holders France return home without scoring a single goal; Portugal humbled by the USA; Italy eliminated by South Korea; and David Beckham defeating his, and England's, nemesis Argentina - a result witnessed during a very long nationwide lunch break. This was also a World Cup of firsts: the first of the new millennium; the first to be held in Asia; and the first to be co-hosted and hooligan-free. The passion of the Japanese and South Korean fans helped restore the ethic of the people's game to a contest that had been in danger of turning into a corporate bonanza. Going Oriental explores the substantial impact of World Cup 2002.