Well what can I say, I was a little disappointed at the result, but the atmosphere and fans were amazing. It was a great experience overall.
All the Argentina fans were real classy, and I took tons of pics.
Where does this leave South Korea's chances of qualifying? It all comes down to their final match vs. Nigeria in Durban. With Greece winning today, that puts Argentina on 6 points, Greece and Korea tied at 3 (with the tiebreaker being even at this point. More details at: http://fredericiana.com/2010/06/16/fifa-world-cup-tie-breaker-rules/
Nigeria still has a shot if they beat Korea by more than one goal, and if Argentina beats Greece.
Next match up, Slovenia/USA. I have a nice surprise for the USA fans: A Sidney Crosby jersey, reminding them who PWNS at hockey, and I'll also be wearing a Canadian flag.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
A middle of the night update
It's 5:30am and I've barely gotten any sleep. Two reasons, I'm real messed up from flying all day, but also there's a German guy underneath my bunk snores just about as loud as I do!
I may be screwed for sleep, but luckily, I'm not going to any matches tomorrow. Have a few errands to run, like collecting my tickets, visiting my travel agency, hunting down a Korea (South in case you're wondering) and maybe score some South Africa gear.
Will start taking lots of photos soon, until next time!
I may be screwed for sleep, but luckily, I'm not going to any matches tomorrow. Have a few errands to run, like collecting my tickets, visiting my travel agency, hunting down a Korea (South in case you're wondering) and maybe score some South Africa gear.
Will start taking lots of photos soon, until next time!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Quick update
Just a quick update guys. I'm at the Atlanta airport waiting for a connecting flight to South Africa. The time has finally come!!!
I'm looking forward to getting there, it's gonna be a long flight out for sure. My first game is this Wednesday, South Korea vs. Argentina.... DAE HAN MIN GUK!!!! GO KOREA let's see the biggest upset in tournament history!!!
I'm looking forward to getting there, it's gonna be a long flight out for sure. My first game is this Wednesday, South Korea vs. Argentina.... DAE HAN MIN GUK!!!! GO KOREA let's see the biggest upset in tournament history!!!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
WC Predictions
I'll probably end up being WAY off on my predictions, but I've decided to try and map out the entire World Cup.
I don't even have any idea on where this is going to end up, but without further ado.....
Round 2
1A vs. 2B
France 1 - 2 South Korea (Extra time)
1B vs. 2A
Argentina 1 - 0 South Africa
1C vs. 2D
England 2 - 0 Australia
1D vs. 2C
Germany 2 - 1 USA (Penalties)
1E vs. 2F
Netherlands 4 - 1 Paraguay
1F vs. 2E
Italy 1 - 0 Denmark (Extra time)
1G vs. 2H
Brazil 4 - 1 Chile
1H vs. 2G
Spain 2 - 1 Ivory Coast (Penalties)
Quarter-finals
England 2 - 1 South Korea
Germany 1 - 3 Argentina
Netherlands 2 - 0 Brazil
Spain 3 - 1 Italy
Semi-finals
England 2 - 1 Netherlands (Penalties)
Argentina 2 - 3 Spain
Finals
Spain 1 - 0 England
I don't even have any idea on where this is going to end up, but without further ado.....
GROUP A
 South Africa |  Mexico |  Uruguay |  France |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Teams | Time(ET) | Location |
| June 11 | South Africa 2 - 0 Mexico | 10:00 AM | Johannesburg |
| June 11 | Uruguay 1 - 1 France | 2:30 PM | Cape Town |
| June 16 | South Africa 1 - 1 Uruguay | 2:30 PM | Pretoria |
| June 17 | France 3 - 0 Mexico | 7:30 AM | Polokwane |
| June 22 | Mexico 1 - 2 Uruguay | 10:00 AM | Rustenburg |
| June 22 | France 0 - 0 South Africa | 10:00 AM | Bloemfontein |
GROUP B
 Argentina |  Nigeria |  South Korea |  Greece |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Teams | Time(ET) | Location |
| June 12 | Argentina 2 - 0 Nigeria | 7:30 AM | Johannesburg |
| June 12 | South Korea 1 - 0 Greece | 10:00 AM | Port Elizabeth |
| June 17 | Greece 1 - 2 Nigeria | 10:00 AM | Bloemfontein |
| June 17 | Argentina 3 - 1 South Korea | 2:30 PM | Johannesburg |
| June 22 | Nigeria 1 - 2 South Korea | 2:30 PM | Durban |
| June 22 | Greece 0 - 4 Argentina | 2:30 PM | Polokwane |
GROUP C
C
 England |  United States |  Algeria |  Slovenia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Teams | Time(ET) | Location |
| June 12 | England 2 - 1 United States | 2:30 PM | Rustenburg |
| June 13 | Algeria 1 - 1 Slovenia | 7:30 AM | Polokwane |
| June 18 | Slovenia 0 - 3 United States | 10:00 AM | Johannesburg |
| June 18 | England 1 - 0 Algeria | 2:30 PM | Cape Town |
| June 23 | Slovenia 1 - 1 England | 10:00 AM | Port Elizabeth |
| June 23 | United States 2 - 0 Algeria | 10:00 AM | Pretoria |
GROUP D
 Germany |  Australia |  Serbia |  Ghana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Teams | Time(ET) | Location |
| June 13 | Germany 1 - 0 Australia | 10:00 AM | Durban |
| June 13 | Serbia 0 - 1 Ghana | 2:30 PM | Pretoria |
| June 18 | Germany 2 - 0 Serbia | 7:30 AM | Port Elizabeth |
| June 19 | Ghana 1 - 1 Australia | 7:30 AM | Rustenburg |
| June 23 | Ghana 1 - 2 Germany | 2:30 PM | Johannesburg |
| June 23 | Australia 2 - 0 Serbia | 2:30 PM OAK | Nelspruit OAK |
GROUP E
 Netherlands |  Denmark |  Japan |  Cameroon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Teams | Time(ET) | Location |
| June 14 | Netherlands 1 - 1 Denmark | 7:30 AM | Johannesburg |
| June 14 | Japan 0 - 2 Cameroon | 10:00 AM | Bloemfontein |
| June 19 | Netherlands 4 - 1 Japan | 10:00 AM | Durban |
| June 19 | Cameroon 2 - 2 Denmark | 2:30 PM | Pretoria |
| June 24 | Denmark 3 - 0 Japan | 2:30 PM | Rustenburg |
| June 24 | Cameroon 2 - 2 Netherlands | 2:30 PM | Cape Town |
GROUP F
 Italy |  Paraguay |  New Zealand |  Slovakia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Teams | Time(ET) | Location |
| June 14 | Italy 2 - 0 Paraguay | 2:30 PM | Cape Town |
| June 15 | New Zealand 1 - 1 Slovakia | 7:30 AM | Rustenburg |
| June 20 | Slovakia 0 - 1 Paraguay | 7:30 AM | Bloemfontein |
| June 20 | Italy 3 - 0 New Zealand | 10:00 AM | Nelspruit |
| June 24 | Slovakia 0 - 0 Italy | 10:00 AM | Johannesburg |
| June 24 | Paraguay 2- 0 New Zealand | 10:00 AM | Polokwane |
GROUP G
 Brazil |  North Korea |  Ivory Coast |  Portugal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Teams | Time(ET) | Location |
| June 15 | Ivory Coast 2- 2 Portugal | 10:00 AM | Port Elizabeth |
| June 15 | Brazil 3 - 0 North Korea | 2:30 PM | Johannesburg |
| June 20 | Brazil 3 - 3 Ivory Coast | 2:30 PM | Johannesburg |
| June 21 | Portugal 1 - 0 North Korea | 7:30 AM | Cape Town |
| June 25 | North Korea 0 - 2 Ivory Coast | 10:00 AM | Nelspruit |
| June 25 | Portugal 2 - 3 Brazil | 10:00 AM | Durban |
GROUP H
 Spain |  Switzerland |  Honduras |  Chile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Teams | Time(ET) | Location |
| June 16 | Honduras 2 - 2 Chile | 7:30 AM | Nelspruit |
| June 16 | Spain 5 - 1 Switzerland | 10:00 AM | Durban |
| June 21 | Chile 1 - 0 Switzerland | 10:00 AM | Port Elizabeth |
| June 21 | Spain 2 - 0 Honduras | 2:30 PM | Johannesburg |
| June 25 | Switzerland 1 - 1 Honduras | 2:30 PM | Bloemfontein |
| June 25 | Chile 0 - 3 Spain | 2:30 PM | Pretoria |
Round 2
1A vs. 2B
France 1 - 2 South Korea (Extra time)
1B vs. 2A
Argentina 1 - 0 South Africa
1C vs. 2D
England 2 - 0 Australia
1D vs. 2C
Germany 2 - 1 USA (Penalties)
1E vs. 2F
Netherlands 4 - 1 Paraguay
1F vs. 2E
Italy 1 - 0 Denmark (Extra time)
1G vs. 2H
Brazil 4 - 1 Chile
1H vs. 2G
Spain 2 - 1 Ivory Coast (Penalties)
Quarter-finals
England 2 - 1 South Korea
Germany 1 - 3 Argentina
Netherlands 2 - 0 Brazil
Spain 3 - 1 Italy
Semi-finals
England 2 - 1 Netherlands (Penalties)
Argentina 2 - 3 Spain
Finals
Spain 1 - 0 England
Friday, May 14, 2010
Match Previews
With my accommodations all but booked, I am officially ready for South Africa! What I promised last time were some match previews. Here they are:
June 17th: Argentina/Korea - Joburg 1:30 pm
My first official World Cup game. And what a game it is. My fellow Koreans taking on the South American giants. With Korea and Argentina already having played against Greece and Nigeria respectively, I think both teams will be going into this match with a win apiece. Both teams will be looking to grab a stranglehold of the Group lead, but I think Argentina is just too strong for the South Koreans. Look for Messi to torment the South Korean defence, whether he plays on the right or down the middle. Korea will fight and fight all the way to the last whistle, though.
Argentina 3 - 1 South Korea
June 18th: Slovenia/USA - Joburg 4:00 pm
With both teams having already played a game, look for the USA to take this one very easily. They impressed me a lot during the Confederations Cup when they beat Spain and pushed Brazil as far as they would bend. Look for Landon Donovan and co. to take this one.
USA 3 - 0 Slovenia
June 20th: Ivory Coast/Brazil - Joburg 8:30pm
What a matchup. Two of the what I'd call the top ten teams in the world being matched together in the same group. It's Drogba vs. Kaka. My guess from the first match would be that Brazil demolished a poverty-stricken North Korea side, while I do believe Ivory Coast will sneak out winners vs. Portugal. Expect to see a lot of goals and a lot of open play in what I'm going to call a 6-goal thriller.
Brazil 3 - 3 Ivory Coast
June 22nd: Nigeria/Korea - Durban 8:30 pm
The last group game for the Super Eagles and Red Devils. I believe this will be a game for 2nd place in the group. I think both teams will have beaten Greece and lost to Argentina. In what could be a dramatic, thrilling encounter, I believe the Red Devils will prevail and move onto the second round. KOREA FIGHTING!
Korea 2 - 1 Nigeria
June 23rd: Slovenia/England - Port Elizabeth 4:00 pm
In what is the final group game for both teams in Group C, I believe England will have already wrapped up first place in the group off the back of wins vs. USA and Algeria, I think England may look to rest a player or two (Rooney, Lampard). With Slovenia long out of the competition, I believe they will play their hearts out to grind a result from this game.
England 1 - 1 Slovenia
June 24th: Paraguay/NZ - Polokwane 4:00 pm
This is a mismatch in every sense of the word. With most of Paraguay's players playing in the top leagues in South America and Europe, New Zealand only have a couple players plying their trade across the Atlantic, with most of their players playing in the A-League in Australia. Paraguay I think at this point will still have everything to play for, and I can't see anything but a win here for them.
Paraguay 3 - 1 New Zealand
June 17th: Argentina/Korea - Joburg 1:30 pm
My first official World Cup game. And what a game it is. My fellow Koreans taking on the South American giants. With Korea and Argentina already having played against Greece and Nigeria respectively, I think both teams will be going into this match with a win apiece. Both teams will be looking to grab a stranglehold of the Group lead, but I think Argentina is just too strong for the South Koreans. Look for Messi to torment the South Korean defence, whether he plays on the right or down the middle. Korea will fight and fight all the way to the last whistle, though.
Argentina 3 - 1 South Korea
June 18th: Slovenia/USA - Joburg 4:00 pm
With both teams having already played a game, look for the USA to take this one very easily. They impressed me a lot during the Confederations Cup when they beat Spain and pushed Brazil as far as they would bend. Look for Landon Donovan and co. to take this one.
USA 3 - 0 Slovenia
June 20th: Ivory Coast/Brazil - Joburg 8:30pm
What a matchup. Two of the what I'd call the top ten teams in the world being matched together in the same group. It's Drogba vs. Kaka. My guess from the first match would be that Brazil demolished a poverty-stricken North Korea side, while I do believe Ivory Coast will sneak out winners vs. Portugal. Expect to see a lot of goals and a lot of open play in what I'm going to call a 6-goal thriller.
Brazil 3 - 3 Ivory Coast
June 22nd: Nigeria/Korea - Durban 8:30 pm
The last group game for the Super Eagles and Red Devils. I believe this will be a game for 2nd place in the group. I think both teams will have beaten Greece and lost to Argentina. In what could be a dramatic, thrilling encounter, I believe the Red Devils will prevail and move onto the second round. KOREA FIGHTING!
Korea 2 - 1 Nigeria
June 23rd: Slovenia/England - Port Elizabeth 4:00 pm
In what is the final group game for both teams in Group C, I believe England will have already wrapped up first place in the group off the back of wins vs. USA and Algeria, I think England may look to rest a player or two (Rooney, Lampard). With Slovenia long out of the competition, I believe they will play their hearts out to grind a result from this game.
England 1 - 1 Slovenia
June 24th: Paraguay/NZ - Polokwane 4:00 pm
This is a mismatch in every sense of the word. With most of Paraguay's players playing in the top leagues in South America and Europe, New Zealand only have a couple players plying their trade across the Atlantic, with most of their players playing in the A-League in Australia. Paraguay I think at this point will still have everything to play for, and I can't see anything but a win here for them.
Paraguay 3 - 1 New Zealand
Thursday, May 6, 2010
My World Cup game schedule
Hey guys,
I thought I'd do a little update. Here are the games I'm going to be going to in South Africa:
June 17th: Argentina/Korea - Joburg 1:30 pm
June 18th: Slovenia/USA - Joburg 4:00 pm
June 20th: Ivory Coast/Brazil - Joburg 8:30pm
June 22nd: Nigeria/Korea - Durban 8:30 pm
June 23rd: Slovenia/England - Port Elizabeth 4:00 pm
June 24th: Paraguay/NZ - Polokwane 4:00 pm
June 26th: 2nd round 1A vs. 2B - Port Elizabeth 4:00 pm
The June 24th game is probably off my schedule. A flight to Polokwane is way too expensive ($500) and just to watch Paraguay/NZ... I love the Kiwis, but not that much I guess. I've put the ticket up for resale, but I doubt it will get sold, as there are still tons of tickets available for that game. What might end up happening is that I give the ticket away to a "ticket fund", which will be used to give to underprivileged children and such. So at least my ticket won't go to waste and would be going to a good cause! Enjoy the Kiwis on me. :)
I've been busy booking up hostels in the three cities I will be based in. They're obviously in high demand, so the search continues for them. Next time, I'll give a preview of the matches I'll be watching.
I thought I'd do a little update. Here are the games I'm going to be going to in South Africa:
June 17th: Argentina/Korea - Joburg 1:30 pm
June 18th: Slovenia/USA - Joburg 4:00 pm
June 20th: Ivory Coast/Brazil - Joburg 8:30pm
June 22nd: Nigeria/Korea - Durban 8:30 pm
June 23rd: Slovenia/England - Port Elizabeth 4:00 pm
June 24th: Paraguay/NZ - Polokwane 4:00 pm
June 26th: 2nd round 1A vs. 2B - Port Elizabeth 4:00 pm
The June 24th game is probably off my schedule. A flight to Polokwane is way too expensive ($500) and just to watch Paraguay/NZ... I love the Kiwis, but not that much I guess. I've put the ticket up for resale, but I doubt it will get sold, as there are still tons of tickets available for that game. What might end up happening is that I give the ticket away to a "ticket fund", which will be used to give to underprivileged children and such. So at least my ticket won't go to waste and would be going to a good cause! Enjoy the Kiwis on me. :)
I've been busy booking up hostels in the three cities I will be based in. They're obviously in high demand, so the search continues for them. Next time, I'll give a preview of the matches I'll be watching.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Welcome to my blog!
Hey guys,
Welcome to my blog. I'm going to be talking about the trials and tribulations of my summer vacation in South Africa checking out the World Cup. This idea spawned I guess from when I was a child. My first memories of the World Cup were while watching Italia '90 with my dad. My fondest memory of that tournament was watching the Maradona-led World Champions Argentina go down in to the pesky Germans in the final. Watching the despaired emotion of Maradona and the joy on the face of Lothar Mattheus was awe-inspiring for this 9 year old Canadian boy. Ever since that moment, I've wanted to go to the World Cup.
I was really close to going to Germany in 2006, but a combination of having a lack of funds, and friends dropping out caused me to abandon that journey. But this time, no economic shortfall exists and I'm more than willing to go it alone this time.
That time is coming soon, it's time to live out my childhood dream......
Welcome to my blog. I'm going to be talking about the trials and tribulations of my summer vacation in South Africa checking out the World Cup. This idea spawned I guess from when I was a child. My first memories of the World Cup were while watching Italia '90 with my dad. My fondest memory of that tournament was watching the Maradona-led World Champions Argentina go down in to the pesky Germans in the final. Watching the despaired emotion of Maradona and the joy on the face of Lothar Mattheus was awe-inspiring for this 9 year old Canadian boy. Ever since that moment, I've wanted to go to the World Cup.
I was really close to going to Germany in 2006, but a combination of having a lack of funds, and friends dropping out caused me to abandon that journey. But this time, no economic shortfall exists and I'm more than willing to go it alone this time.
That time is coming soon, it's time to live out my childhood dream......
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