Soccer SuperFans

Contrary to my selfish mindset during the opening stages of the tournament, I've come to shed the idea that I am simply a Super Eagles fan who was focused only on cheering for the Nigerian team during the World Cup. 

Instead, I have been consumed by the fiery passion, which has engulfed the planet during four weeks of the greatest party on earth.  I am proud to count myself as one of the billions worldwide who are now suffering from a metaphorical hangover as they readjust to daily life.

I went onto South Korean internet sites, commentators had pointed out that the North Korean players' shoes did not have the metal studs to prevent them from slipping, which also made them difficult to direct their movements.  When I saw this comment, I realized that my concern wasn't without reason.  If the shoes have plastic studs, obviously they would slip in the rain. 

While everyone else around me, including other students from Korea, were cheering for Brazil, I was alone focused on the North Korean team's every move. 

It was a strangely isolating experience, a kind of loneliness in the moment that I find difficult to explain.  It made me feel a little cold inside for a moment to see that how indifferent South Korean people were toward North Korea, perhaps even more than I expected. 

Most importantly, the North Korean team needs at least one win before North Koreans back home even find out that their soccer team participated in the World Cup. If they win this game, North Korean people can know that their soccer team played in the 2010 World Cup, but if they lose in their first try, North Korean people can never know about them.