The (not so) beautiful game

With the World Cup finals kicking off in Seoul on Friday, soccer will be the focus of attention of many people in many parts of the world, particularly here in Asia, for the next four weeks. Going by the billions worldwide who will be tuning into these matches, it is only fitting to describe this tournament as one of the greatest shows on earth, if not the greatest.

With European hooligans finding it hard, or too costly, to make the long trip to Asia, we should be in for a trouble-free World Cup. Let's hope that even international terrorists, wherever they may be, will take a respite and enjoy the World Cup spectacle like the rest of the world.

Asia has a particular reason to rejoice; this is the first time the finals are being held in the region. Significantly, the honor of hosting the event is being shared by Japan and South Korea, the two richest countries in Asia. Both have gone out of their way to make the 2002 World Cup not only a success, but also a memorable event, at least in terms of the ceremonies and logistics. Kudos to both countries, more so since they have been struggling with their own economic problems.

Asia is represented in the finals by four countries. Japan and South Korea, who automatically qualified for the finals as the host nations, will be joined by China and Saudi Arabia in a tournament that has traditionally been dominated by Europe and Latin America.

There is no reason to believe that this pattern will change, with European and Latin American countries again favored to take home the Cup. These two regions continue to set the standard in soccer. But with Africa making significant inroads in the last three tournaments, it is probably only a matter of time before Asia also makes its mark on the World Cup. If and when it does, then Asia will have every right to demand greater representation in the World Cup finals.

No doubt Asia will someday find its place among the great soccer nations. Although no Asian country today can claim to be a soccer giant, watching the sport has already become a favorite pastime for people in the region. Understandably because of the quality, most people in Asia prefer to watch the English Premiership, the Italian Serie A, the Bundesliga or their South American equivalents, rather than their own local leagues.

European and Latin American leagues are followed with such enthusiasm by millions in Asia that they have become quite a profitable industry, from live telecasts, special magazines and uniforms and souvenirs of favorite clubs, to the gambling and lottery syndicates. This year's World Cup will certainly be another boom time for the industry.

Asian people's passion for watching soccer, unfortunately, has yet to be matched by their ability to play what some call the "beautiful game". The average child in Jakarta will likely be able to name more English and Italian soccer stars than even the best Indonesian players.

But surely some of the skills possessed by the likes of Beckham, Ronaldo and Zidane will, eventually, rub off on the Asian children who watch them endlessly. In good time, Asia, with its huge population, should have a large pool of soccer talent to choose from. For now, however, we must be content with being good spectators.

Having said all that, there is a nagging feeling that the 2002 World Cup may not live up to its billing as the greatest show on earth, or even as the most beautiful game.

As we approach Friday's kickoff, the soccer world has been preoccupied with reports of injuries plaguing many stars, including Beckham, Zidane and Ronaldo.

This is the trouble with staging the World Cup at the end of the long season for the European leagues, where many Latin American stars also play. Many stars either cannot make it to Korea or Japan, or they just barely passed their fitness tests. Even those who are fit are coming in with tired legs, and they will all have to play the game in the heat of the summer.

If the World Cup is to live up to its reputation as the greatest spectacle on earth, it should be held when the players are at their fit best, and when the weather is most conducive for soccer. Under the present arrangements, stamina and perseverance, rather than skill and strategy, will be the more decisive factors in the outcome of many of the matches. That, somehow, takes away some of the fun and beauty of the game.