Korea-Japan 2002 This was the name of the first World Cup shared by two host countries. Although crazy, Asian efficiency, responsibility and sense of organization created a fantastic tournament. Nothing flew out. The Korean public was more euphoric, certainly because of the unprecedented arrival in the semi-finals, which was helped a lot by arbitration, yes. FIFA president Sepp Blatter had promised Japan the World Cup a few years earlier, and Hiroito’s home country had begun building grand stadiums, but as the choice of venue approached, Blatter realized the majority of the executive committee was leaning towards South Korea, another contender. Almost as the voting was over and seeing that he was clearly defeated, the Swiss had to almost beg Dr. Chung Mong-joon, president of the Korean Association and owner of Hyundai, to agree to share the World Cup.

Another interesting feature of this Asian Cup: very few foreign visitors. And there it was easy to notice because of the racial issue. Everything was magnificently decorated. Stadiums, press rooms, communications, transportation, hotels, training centers. The weakest item was nine points. Only one thing was missing: popular heat.

In the final, two soccer superpowers met for the first and only time. Germany reached the definition for the seventh time, Brazil for the sixth (and last). Germany reached the crucial match with a less discreet team, full of forgettable names. Perhaps his only figure is goalkeeper Oliver Khan. But there was no less than Brazil in the match, even though the goals were from the other side. That’s how this game is.

Brazil brought Marcos out; Cafu, Roque Junior, Lucio, Edmilson and Roberto Carlos; two top midfielders like Gilbert Silva and Kleberson, both very effective; two creators, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho (85′ Juninho Paulista) and Ronaldo Fenómeno (90′ Denilson) just above.

Luiz Felipe Scolari, a gaúcho and therefore footballingly very close to the mentality of River Plate, placed five behind him, perhaps for the first time in the history of Verdeamarilla, to take care of the casemate for Marcos, the famous goalscorer of Palmeiras who was instrumental in winning the title. Likewise, it was to be expected that the two full-backs would be permanently separated in attack, which did not happen as Germany largely dominated and forced them to defend. Felipão did not give Kaká a single minute. It wasn’t a game to risk anything. He made only two changes after the end of the match.

Rudi Völler, the German coach, groomed Khan; Frings, Linke, Ramelow, Metzelder and Bode (also five in background); Hamann, Jeremy and Schneider; Oliver Neuville and Miroslav Klose. Very impressive: DT left Michael Ballack, at that time a figure of Teutonic football, on the bench.

Name by name the differences seem hopeless in favor of the South Americans, it was not like that in the match. It was a really strange process. The statistics speak of 59% of Germany’s possession, which seemed to always have the ball.

What is indisputable is that, despite this, the Seleção generated 7 clean scoring chances (including both wins). The final score -Brazil 2, Germany 0- was not only deserved, it marked the difference between a team that knew how to arrive and specify and another that lacked the light to open gaps and break through the net.

The amazing thing, which confused the world fans, is that FIFA awarded the Golden Ball of the World Cup to Oliver Khan, who made a mistake in the first goal and an unfortunate action in the second goal. Nobody understood. However, it should be noted that the journalists present at the stadium voted. FIFA’s mistake was the omission of a paper to fill in at the end of the first half. And two goals fell in the second.

On the contrary, it seems contradictory to say, Ronaldo saved his night with two goals, he played very badly, he lost three unwinnable situations, only against Khan. But at least he avenged his fateful end four years earlier. He shone in the previous games, but not in the final. As he was burdened by the memory of France in 1998.

Instead, Ronaldinho was Ronaldinho at his best, mischievous, nimble, first, decisive. Dinho competes in the man-of-the-match category with Kleberson, then a 23-year-old right midfielder for Atlético Paranaense, who played everything. Terrible circle, criterion, arrival, shot at the crossbar, missed the goal by a centimeter, passed for Ronaldo’s second goal, zero trepidation. Felipão’s great discovery. He was on the bench for the first four games, came on against England and ended up being a big factor in Brazil’s five-time title run.

The fifth title came with a record that no one has managed to date: he is the only champion to have won all 7 matches played.

In 1970, Brazil also triumphed in all their commitments, but there were six of them, because they played a smaller number of teams. In Mexico 70, 16 teams participated, in Korea and Japan already 32.

By way of criticism: He received embarrassing referee help in two games against Turkey and, most notably, against Belgium, who were shamefully disallowed when it was 0-0 with Belgium in charge. Germany and Brazil are two teams that have never suffered even a badly penalized side in the history of the World Cup. Always everything smoothly. But, as coined by Américo Barrios, a teacher of Argentine journalists, “the champion is not disputed”. And less to this violent Brazil. (OR)