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CNN Live At Daybreak

Fans Await World Cup

Aired January 04, 2002 - 05:25   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The first World Cup of the 21st century is less than five months away. Japan and South Korea are co-hosting soccer's big game.

And as CNN's Lisa Barron reports, some fans can hardly wait to see their favorite teams in action.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two, three.

LISA BARRON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The day soccer fans had been waiting for, the World Cup draw in Puson, South Korea. The December 1 ceremony was broadcast live to some one billion people. The draw determined who will play whom, when and where in the 2000 Games co-hosted by Korea and Japan. And as the countdown continues, World Cup excitement is reaching fever pitch.

CHUNG MONG JOON, VICE PRESIDENT, FIFA: Before the final draw, some people in Korea were concerned that we could not feel the World Cup fever in Korea. However, after the very successful final draw, almost all the tickets are sold out.

BARRON: That despite the outcome of the draw, which grouped South Korea with some tough rivals.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am really proud that we are hosting the World Cup. The '88 Olympics gave us a chance to advertise Korea to other countries, so this World Cup will give us another opportunity to get a better reputation.

BARRON: In Japan, whose team will play in what many fans say is the easiest group, tickets are over sold. Even though the country is in its second recession in three years, there are 200 buyers for every seat on sale.

JUNJI OGURA, JAPAN ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: People, they're looking for to see the World Cup. So that reason, say they put in some money, they keep their money for to buy a ticket, yes? So, everybody now in Japan we have a fever, football fever now. So everybody looking for two seats, not only Japan national team games, also the various strong teams like England and also thorough Germany, Italy. So we know everything. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have really followed the World Cup games. It will be the first time Japan is a host. We have a home town team, so I'm very excited about football.

BARRON (on camera): Even those who aren't fans will find it hard to escape World Cup mania. In the center of Seoul, for example, you can't miss the larger than life soccer ball looming over the city streets.

(voice-over): Everywhere you turn in every host city there are World Cup monuments and memorabilia, towering new stadia, streams of flags representing the 32 qualifying nations, souvenir shops and information centers, even elaborate ice sculptures.

MONG JOON: This is the investment not only for football, but for the future.

BARRON: The only thing that could sour the mood for South Koreans, if their team does not make the second round and Japan does. South Koreans still harbor bitter feelings against Japan, which ruled the Korean Peninsula for 35 years until 1945. Still, people on both sides of the Sea of Japan are banking on the World Cup's power to transcend national divides.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The sports are the symbol of peace. I hope Japan and Korea can work together successfully. This is the best thing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that we do not have a good relationship with Japan, but this World Cup will help the relationship between the two countries.

BARRON: And the relationship among countries everywhere. As one PUCA (ph) official said, soccer has the power to bring people around the world together in painful times.

Lisa Barron, CNN, Seoul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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