The decision to stage the first World Cup in Asia in South Korea and Japan was one of the most profound Fifa have made. Decades of animosity between the two countries had created a situation that would have resulted in national shame for whichever nation lost the vote to host the tournament.

Their shared and difficult history was something that even Fifa could not solve and, in July 1996, Fifa did the most pragmatic and sensible thing by making them joint hosts.

This created a curious but thrilling event with the two countries embracing the tournament in different ways.

It seemed the entire Korean nation were swept along with the idea and that every man, woman and child in every hamlet donned a red T-shirt for a month.

The Japanese were rather more reserved but added their own special brand of individualism to the occasion. Never before have so many Japanese David Beckham look-alikes walked the streets of Tokyo, Sapporo or Niigata.

Did You Know?

The first round of the 2002 World Cup Korea-Japan reflected a changing football world as upsets and surprises thrilled right from the start.

The tone of the group stage was set in the opening match as African debutantes Senegal shocked the holders France with an impressive 1-0 victory. Les Bleus never really recovered from the loss, failing to escape Group A without even mustering a goal. Though the disappointment was extreme for the French, it was a wonderful match and tournament for the Senegalese. The Lions of Teranga made it to the second round, beating Sweden on a golden goal, and then only fell to a Turkish golden goal in the quarter finals.

Group D also saw a monstrous upset as the United States opened their tournament by beating fancied Portugal 3-2. The Golden Generation of Portuguese came back to beat Poland, but then fell to the group’s other surprise package, Korea Republic, as another high-profile European power went home far earlier than expected.

Europe got its revenge in what was termed “The Group of Death,” where England and Sweden went through at the expense of powerful Argentina and always dangerous Nigeria. The most hotly anticipated match of the entire opening stage was perhaps the Argentina versus England rematch in Sapporo, Japan. England captain David Beckham, who was sent off in the corresponding contest at France ’98, successfully put his ghosts to rest as his penalty kick was the only goal in the always fascinating confrontation between the teams. Argentina, a pre-tournament favourites for many, could only manage a draw in their last match against the Swedes, and they joined the ranks of big-names on their way home earlier than expected.

While the knockout rounds followed a more predictable pattern than the startling group stage, co-hosts Korea Republic did their best to keep the dream alive. In the Round of 16, they faced illustrious Italy and claimed an electrifying 2-1 victory from Ahn Jung Hwan’s golden goal. Even more unlikely was what followed next ? a penalty shootout win in the quarter final over Spain.

A 0-1 loss in the semi-final to Germany could not dampen the incredible enthusiasm of the Korean people, who flooded the streets like a sea of red during and after every match. On the other hand, Turkey knocked out the Japanese in the second round on their way to the semi-finals, where they fell to Brazil.

In the end, thus, it was two familiar faces, Germany and Brazil, who played for the world championship, and it was the South Americans who won their unprecedented fifth World Cup. Ronaldo, who suffered a famously poor final four years earlier, was the hero for the Sele?ao, scoring both in the 2-0 victory. He ended up with eight goals in the tournament ? the most in a World Cup since Gerd M?ller scored ten times at Mexico ’70.

Off-side

4 Brazilian captain Cafu became the first man to play in three World Cup final matches. Though he was often overshadowed by the flashy skills of the “Three R’s” ? Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, not to mention Roberto Carlos on the opposite flank, Cafu played every minute of every match for the Sele?ao, and his marauding up and down the right flank was one of their biggest strengths.

4 Another first was the pairing in the final. Amazingly, the World Cup’s two most successful teams, Brazil and Germany, had never met each other at the tournament, not until their 87th and 85th matches, respectively.

4 The third-place match also featured a remarkable first, as Hakan Sukur’s goal for Turkey against Korea Republic came after just 11 seconds ? the fastest ever scored in the finals.

4 By claiming their fifth world championship at Asia’s first finals, Brazil kept alive their extraordinary record of having won the World Cup on every continent that has hosted the event.