World Cup Diary

England starting to live up to the World Cup hype

By Gavin Hamilton, World Soccer Editor

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The beauty of watching of the World Cup here in Korea is that I am far away from the hype that always accompanies England when they win more than one match in a World Cup.

My colleagues, who were sharpening the knives after England drew with Sweden, are now reaching for the superlatives as they describe England's unstoppable journey to the Final.

Rio Ferdinand has already been hailed as the greatest English defender since Bobby Moore after the defeat of Denmark. I dread to think what will be written if England beat Brazil.

The incredible thing -- and I can't believe I'm writing this -- is that England are now starting to live up to the hype. Putting aside the nationalistic prejudices that drive our newspaper sales, the Final is well within sight. England will never have a better chance to win the World Cup. England genuinely have the match of a Brazil side which plays fast in attack but loose at the back.

Let's not forget -- and with Wimbledon about to start, it's not difficult to forget -- that heroic sporting failure is what Britain does best.

But in keeping with this World Cup of shocks, it would not surprise me in the least if another sporting truism is broken.

The Guus Hiddink tribute industry is in full swing. Gwangju, one of the 10 World Cup host cities, has announced that it plans to name one of its main municipal highways after the South Korea coach. A spokesman for the local council said that Gwangju World Cup stadium could also be renamed in Hiddink's honour.

Meanwhile Seoul's Sogang University is to award an honorary doctorate in business administration to Hiddink in recognition of the Dutchman's leadership qualities. Yesterday's Korean Times reported that a dozen people, "mostly women in their 20s" had been hospitalized after suffering wrist and arm injuries caused by "waving the Korean flag and clapping too hard" while cheering on the Korean team.

That's the price you pay for sporting success.

Quotes of the day.

"Where are the experts now?"
--U.S. coach Bruce Arena rubbishes the critics who predicted the U.S. would struggle at this World Cup.

"I've played more matches for Senegal than I have for Monaco."
--Senegal goalkeeper Tony Sylva makes it clear he won't be happy as third-choice at Monaco next season.

 

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