2002

Well, we eventually touched down in Paris, where we were met by a driver from Kirker Travel, who kindly donated Eurostar tickets for the two of us to get back to Ashford (where we’re to be picked up by Ben and hopefully driven straight to the nearest pub for a pint of proper ale). Rather sweetly, the driver was waiting with this sign as we walked out of the arrivals gate…

Wake / Wach

How bright his star is shining

So, The Boy Noble signs off at the end of a fantastic World Cup, from every perspective. The amazing results, the wonderful Japanese - who can’t be praised highly enough, and the fans from all round the world who were nothing but friendly, and from a personal point of view, it’s been absolutely fantastic - seeing my first England game is a moment I’ll never forget

Camera to camera brings on the smiles

Again we have the pleasure to share a stadium with the Brazilian fans, but this time they won leaving only one game between themselves and a possible FIVE World Cup championships. ‘PENTA Campion’ rings off their lips with understandable confidence, though of course the mighty Kahn will stand between the sticks for Germany.

Nothing in Tokyo is this free

Phil holds the precious tickets, but his wallet is now lighter than air

Crowds framed by umbrellas

Unlucky Korea went out to the Cup last night… rather overpowered by a German team playing a similar style of football - a disciplined team game with little flair and much hard work. Korea had far fewer chances than they did against any of the latin teams that they put out of the competition, and in the end, succumbed to the sustained German pressure.

Well I woke up this morning,
To catch a bullet to the game…
But the waking wasn’t worth it,
Coz the football match was lame…

Sixty quid each invested in two return tickets to Shizuoka - no hope of getting in to the game, but high hopes of hooking up with other fans and watching the game on a big screen nearby, which is the next best thing to being inside the stadium…

We’re finally in Japan on the same soil as our boys, who in 3 ‘n’ a half hours are taking on Brazil. The tension in me runs. We are heading off to Shizuoka to get as close as we can, have no ticket and aren’t certain of a big screen situation and have also heard that it can be difficult to see games at all!!

Surely not!!

We shall see.

Come on you EEEEEENGERLAND!

A word from your England correspondent making his maiden speech all the way from Cairns, Australia.