| The 2002 World Cup eBook |
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| Remarkable Achievements |
[  Contents Here ]
 In just two World Cups, 1998-2002,  Ronaldo has equaled
Pelé's mark of 12 goals in World Cups.
 (Ronaldo, 1994-2002, was never on the field in 1994;
Pelé, 1958-1970, hardly played in 1962 & 1966, due to injuries.)
 Ronaldo's 12 goal-mark has placed him
amid the Top All-Time World Cup Scorers:
 Gerd Müller (14 goals),
 Fontaine (13 goals, all scored in 1958!) and
Pelé (12 goals).
 At the same time, Ronaldo's 8 goals in one Cup (2002)
have raised him above celebrated names such as
 Polish striker Lato (7 goals, 1974) and
Brazilian striker Jairzinho (7 goals, 1970).
 S.Korea had never won a match, in 5 previous World Cups,
till their winning streak in 2002,
broken by defeats to
Germany in the Semi-Finals, &
 Turkey in the 3rd Place Match.
S.Korea's feat is remarkable:
out of their 14 previous World Cup matches,
they had just managed 4 draws
and lost 10.
 S.Korea's pre-2002 goal difference was a languid -32!
But in 2002, South Korea's First Round campaign
was one of the strongest!
The S.Koreans outpaced all teams, except
Brazil,  Spain, Germany,  Denmark & co-host  Japan!
S.Korea, moreover, finished the Competition in an honorable
Fourth Place,
 and had a +2 goal difference.
Incredible progress!
This is likely the most outstanding improvement of all times
in World Cup history.
 Dutch coach Guus Hiddink must be rightfully remembered,
amid the praise given the South Korean Squad.
Turkey's achievement in 2002 is likewise worth special reference.
the Turks had previously taken part in one single World Cup:
They did not make beyond the First Round, then, with
one win and two defeats,
and a -1 goal difference.
In 2002, however, Turkey (3rd Place), just like Germany (2nd Place),
had no defeats,
except for the Champion (Brazil):
Germany in the Final Match, and
Turkey in the First Round, and again in the Semi-Finals.
Worth remembering was Turkey's gracious gesture,
at the end of their last match:
the Turkish players supporting the distressed S.Koreans at the defeat,
and getting the S.Koreans to link arms
and greet the crowd all together!
 In lack of an Award for sportsmanship and humanitarianism,
the Turks deserve to be remembered also for this gesture
along with their honorable 3rd.Place
and invincibility (that just did not hold before the Champion Squad).
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