World Cup Fever Hits Asia 世足热蔓延全亚
When France and Senegal kick off on May
Many people were skeptical about allowing Japan and South Korea to jointly stage soccer’s biggest tournament. After all, historically, the two nations have been enemies. Nevertheless, both of them have successfully hosted the Olympics in the past, and both are eager to take to the world stage once again.
With a huge amount of prestige at stake, the Japanese and Korean authorities have been working hard, and spending big, to make sure World Cup 2002 is a success. If past evidence is anything to go by, fans of the “beautiful game” around the world are not likely to be disappointed.
It is impossible to say when soccer was first played. People have been kicking objects around for fun since time immemorial. The modern version of the game, however, clearly began in 1863, in England. That was when the London Football Association published the first set of soccer rules. Besides setting the rules, the association gave the game its formal name: association football. The popular term “soccer” is thought to be derived from “association.”
England may have set the rules, but many people argue that the game’s spiritual home is Brazil. The South American country is home to the world’s most successful and admired national team. Famous for their free-flowing, elegant style, often referred to as “samba soccer,” the Brazilians have carried home the World Cup trophy no fewer than four times. Despite some poor results recently, it would be foolish to dismiss Brazil’s chances in World Cup 2002.
A famous Scottish coach, when asked if he really thought soccer was a matter of life and death, replied, “no, it’s more important than that.” He was joking, of course, but there is no denying the passion with which soccer fans all around the world follow their favorite teams.
For many, losing a big match is a fate worse than death. Brazil’s defeat on home soil in the 1950 World Cup final, for instance, was described as a national tragedy. When the Italian team returned home after losing a game to North Korea in 1966, they were pelted with tomatoes by disappointed fans.
At World Cup 2002, Asian soccer fans are likely to be every bit as enthusiastic as their European and South American counterparts. Judging from the overwhelming ticket sales in Japan and South Korea, organizers are confident that the tournament will be one of the best-attended World Cups in history.
许多人对于让日本和南韩联合举办足球界最盛大的赛事持怀疑的态度。毕竟在历史上，两个国家曾经是敌人。无论如何，他们过去都曾成功地举办了奥运会，两个国家都希望能再度成为世界的舞台。
用极高的声望做赌注，日本和韩国的有关当局一直在努力工作，并花了大笔钱财来确保2002年世界杯足球赛的成功。如果过去成功的例子可以依循，世界各地“漂亮球赛”的球迷们就不太可能会失望。
很难说人们第一次玩足球始于何时。自古以来人们为了取乐就将身边的东西踢来踢去。然而球赛的现代版本确实是在1863年始于英国。当时正是伦敦足球协会出版了第一套足球规则。除了制定规则，这个协会还为球赛取了一个正式的名称：英式足球。众人皆知的名称“足球”被认为是由“协会”这个词衍生而来。
英国人也许制定了足球的规则，但许多人认为足球灵魂的故乡是巴西。这个南美洲国家是全世界最成功、最为人欣赏的球队的家乡。巴西人以自由、文雅的踢球风格闻名，常被认为是“桑巴足球”，他们抱回世界杯的奖杯足足有四次。尽管近年来战绩有些不太好，但小看巴西队在2002年世界杯足球赛的获胜机会是愚蠢的。
当一位著名的苏格兰教练被问到他是否真的认为足球是生死攸关的事，他回答：“不，它比生死重要。”当然他是在开玩笑，但是世界各地的球迷追随他们喜爱球队的热情是无可否认的。
对许多人来说，输掉一场重大的比赛是比死亡还要悲惨的命运。举例来说，巴西在1950年世界杯足球赛中主场的失败，被形容为国家的惨剧。当1966年意大利队输掉对朝鲜的球赛回国后，被失望的球迷们用西红柿扔掷。
在2002年世界杯足球赛中，亚洲的球迷很可能和他们欧洲和南美的同道中人一样热情。从日本和韩国疯狂的入场券销售来判断，主办单位有信心这届比赛将成为历史上票房最好的世足赛之一。
