Football fever sweeps China
By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-08-05 06:15

Hundreds of thousands of soccer fans took to the streets across China on Tuesday night, shouting slogans and waving flags in celebration of the national team's shootout victory over Iran in the Asian Cup semi-final.

Moments after the win in Beijing, a victory motorcade toured around Workers's Stadium, trailing huge red Chinese flags.

"My heart is still beating fast. This is fantastic. I have never thought of such a thrilling victory from China," said Wang Guobiao, who was driving his own car in the parade.

"This match gave more ecstasy and excitement than the match in 2001," said Wang, referring to the 2002 World Cup qualifier in Shenyang that saw China advance to the global showcase by beating Oman 1-0.

China tied 1-1 with Iran in regulation time, then pulled off the 5-4 victory after a grueling penalty shootout, setting up Saturday's long-awaited final showdown with archrival Japan.

Dancing and singing on car tops, Beijing fans were immersed in venting their joy.

Most Chinese soccer fans have been waiting for 20 years for the team to make it to the final of a major international tournament.

The last time was in the 1984 Asian Cup.

And most fans were aware that China had lost to Iran nine times in their last 15 matches, including squandering a 2-0 second-half lead en route to a 4-2 loss in a 1997 World Cup qualifier.

"It is incredible. I could not believe that China took control of the match most of the time and created lots of chances. It is normal that China won matches against teams like Indonesia or Kuwait. But this time we beat Iran and even showed some superiority," said Jiang Zhengzhou, who watched the match with a group of friends on a hotel television.

With their first victory over Iran since 1994, China extended its unbeaten run to 19 games.

Now fans have their sights set on the final against Japan.

The defending champions fought their way into the final after a succession of unconvincing performances.

"This will be the best chance for us to beat them and I have never seen China win a major tournament title," said Jiang.

With the passionate home crowd at Workers' Stadium and with Japan playing without key players like Shinji Ono, the starry 24-year-old midfielder from Feyenoord and Hidetoshi Nakata of Bologna, China's prospects of winning the nation's first Asian Cup trophy look brighter.

Chinese fans booed the Japanese team and threw articles at Japanese supporters during Tuesday's other semi-final in Jinan, which saw Japan edge Bahrain 4-3.

Thousands of fans booed the Japanese national anthem and jeered the team throughout all three of their Group D matches and the Japanese players had to have extra security for their matches. So the approaching final has stirred pressure for both teams and security officials.

"Sports and politics should not be confused," one newspaper said, adding that although there is anti-Japanese sentiment stemming from historical problems, those who booed the anthem and jeered the Japanese players expressed their patriotism in a negative way.

It is believed more fans will go to the final to show their support for the team.

"I am not a real football fan because I did not watch too many of China's matches. But I was really moved by the atmosphere yesterday.

"I have bought a ticket for the final and I will give my utmost support for China,"said 18-year-old Luo Haoling.

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