Two great international sports tournaments just took place this year and I’d like to share them through allowing you guys to watch these video clips.
WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC 2009
Final Match: Japan vs. South Korea
Venue: Dodgers Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Final Score: Japan 5 – South Korea 3 (After 10 innings)
This final match between Japan and South Korea took place early this year for the 2nd installment of the World Baseball Classic, an international tournament showcasing the skills and talents of professional baseball players. Japan won the inaugural championship against Cuba in 2006 with an intense match and a final score of 10-6. Cuba in the 2009 tournament, however met with Japan too early and got knocked out.
The rivalry between South Korea and Japan could be the most intense since both faced each other in the elimination round (Round 1) and the double elimination round (Round 2) and after 4 matches between the two, each had a 2-2 record before the finals. Korea easily beat Venezuela in the Semifinals 10-2 to reach the final and Japan had a special meeting with Derek Jeter and the United States which they triumphed over with a score of 9-4 with great plays by Ichiro Suzuki who made a triple base run.
The final could be the best match of the WBC so far as Korea kept chasing Japan until the 9th inning. But it was Ichiro’s hit on extra innings that gave Japan the win in this tournament. Considering how flawless he was through the final stages of the tournament – hitting everytime he’s at bat – Ichiro Suzuki’s performance definitely will never be forgotten in the WBC. Credits too to the Koreans who have fought so hard to prove that they deserved to go to the finals after becoming a formidable rival against the Japanese team.
2009 FIFA CONFEDERATIONS’ CUP
Final Match: Brazil vs. USA
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
Final Score: Brazil 3 – USA 2
USA: Dempsey, Donovan
BRA: Luis Fabiano (2), Lucio
Last weekend, the FIFA Confederations Cup hosted by FIFA World Cup 2010 hosts South Africa was a great success. There were great upsets such as Egypt’s win against Italy 1-0 in the elimination stage as well as the loss of Spain against the United States in the Semi-finals which was a surprise to football. But in the end, it’s this comeback win by Brazil against the USA 3-2 which proved that the scenery of international football is not yet making a big change.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDO BRASILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! *Trumpet & Laser beam sounds lolz*
Next year will be the 2010 FIFA World Cup and this is the real deal since this tournament have created classic matches and clashes between European and South American teams which historically have always excelled so well in the sport. It’s also the tournament where a national emblem will be awarded a star representing their achievements, their impact and legacy to international football. So far Brazil is the country which won the most world cups with 5. Italy has 4 (the 4th one was won in 2006 after beating France on a penalty shootout). Germany has 3. Argentina and Uruguay have 2. England and France have 1.
