tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4188545880250661713.post6178873354018308211..comments2023-10-22T20:48:28.198+08:00Comments on Kevin's Dim Summary: World Cup FeverKevin Reitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002489940619691842noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4188545880250661713.post-1296643525388274122010-07-02T20:41:06.185+08:002010-07-02T20:41:06.185+08:00Easy: 51% rural population cuts that 1.3 billion t...Easy: 51% rural population cuts that 1.3 billion to half, to start. Factor in migrant workers and abject poverty. We're now down to pool of 300 million. One-child policy that emphasizes education. Sports universities that emphasize regimentation. Lack of importation of talent to Europe. Corrupt national soccer governing body that prefers "system" players. Zero patience with national team coaches. Viciously cynical fan base. No history of good soccer (unlike North Korea). Basketball preferred by Mao over soccer. And finally... no national pride tied into sport. And voila!<br /><br />But yeah, I was pretty damn shocked too by North Korea's qualification.The Taohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07647424661870773417noreply@blogger.com