World Cup Soccer: Countries big and small

I rely on experts like Raśl Escalante of Mexico to keep me informed about the world soccer cup. He writes: "I'd like to congratulate American fans of Association Football on the US victory against Portugal. Although not quite a David, vs. Goliath match, expectations were close to that... only David was the US and Goliath was Portugal. The US has come a very long way from the days it was universally looked down upon, and was a lot more effective than in the past World Cup when it came in 32nd of the 32 teams who played. There is a distinct possibility of Mexico facing the US in the second round (if Mexico comes in second of its group and the US first).

I commiserate with Paul's local employees (I assume they are local). They should rebel against the Yankee oppressor or at least teach him the beauty of the world's favorite sport. Maybe in exchange Paul can inculcate in us appreciation for baseball (which I find only slightly less boring than cricket)".

My comment: Careful with the facts, Rałl. In the last few games the US has done quite well. Raśl is gloating because Mexico now leads Group G. The US is second in Group D. China, for which Paul Simon is rooting, is at the bottom of Group C. Which leads me to wonder about that Americanism, "to root". It originally meant "to dig up with the snout, as a pig". Has this Americanism taken root in other English-speaking countries? Perhaps a yelling supporter looks like a pig. As for Cameron Sawyer's Moscow soccer hooligans (originally so named after an Irish family), I suspect that the game arouses historic but dormant military rivalries. Russia and Japan are still arguing about some small Japanese islands still occupied by Russia. The riots at the France-Algeria match were echoes of the war of Algerian liberation. The British fans say openly that their matches against Germany are a continuation of World Wars I and II.

Miles Seeley objects to the scornful dismissal of the Saudi Arabia team. Although it is at the bottom of Group E, it at least got to the cup games. What about Israel? Does it have a team? Does it play friendly matches with Saudi Arabia, etc? I await information from people better informed than I.

Ronald Hilton - 6/10/02