FC Seoul

Today I popped down to World Cup Stadium- 8 stops or 20 minutes on the subway line 6 from Hyochang Park- to see FC Seoul take on their city rival Namsan.

Namsan were top of the K-League, two points ahead of Seoul in third place. It was a scrappy game, but late in the second half FC Seoul scored a sweet volley into the bottom left hand corner to grab the victory. It was a nice afternoon trip with Mr.Che- 2nd grade English teacher from Baemoon, and his 8-year old daughter.

Incredibly FC Seoul have beaten me to it- their official English slogan really is “Soul of Seoul”

Photography Update

My photo page has been reorganised, and a bonus number of pics will be uploaded in the next few days.

Please check out my photography at…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevesayskanpai/collections

I’ll put updates on the blog when I add new pics (after finishing adding old photos)

Please leave a comment on Flickr if you like the shots!

Steve

I Love Pocari Sweat!

Sometimes you think you have a problem. That you alone are weird, and have this strange habit while everyone else is “normal”. And then you discover, via the internet (that most trustworthy of resources) that there are many others out there like you. There are even Facebook groups for people like you. Thats what I finally realised today about my favourite drink for the past 3 years, Pocari Sweat!

Pocari Sweat is an oddly named Japanese sports drink that to the untrained taste bud resembles watered down Gatorade or Lucozade. It claims to replace electrolytes lost while sweating- hence the odd name (odd but not as odd as “Calpiss”, a milky Japanese soft drink that is absolutely undrinkable). Its arch-rival is Aquarius, a sports drink manufactured by that Great Satan the Coca-Cola drinks company that it both similar and completely different at the same time (Pocari is manufactured by the Otsuka Pharmeceutical Company)

Pocari has become the mainstay of my life for the past 3 years- I drink it CONSTANTLY and was actually craving it more than anything else- sushi, baseball, karaoke- while back home in the summer. Luckily they sell it in Korea! Actually I might have to limit the countries I can live in from now on to those that sell Pocari Sweat- China, Egypt, Thailand, the UAE and Oman.

Wherever you are in the world, seek out and consume Pocari Sweat in vast quantities!

Hanshin Aftermath

Little news of Hanshin’s dramatic defeat to Chunichi has permeated through to the Korean media, but thanks to the wonderful internet there’s plenty of video clips online.

Here’s a video of the post-game ceremonies- from 0.36 onwards you can see Manager Okada being thrown in the air as the traditional send-off after 5 years in charge. He’s in tears as he shakes the hands of the players, and you can see Fujikawa (number 22) also in tears, bowing and apologising for his mistake which handed Chunichi the victory. All so sad!

Here’s a clip from the last game of the season, Hanshin having lost the Championship.

Expect a review of Hanshin’s season after the Climax Series and Nippon Series are over.

Hanshin Tigers- Climax Series Ultimate Showdown vs Chunichi Dragons!

Want to see highlights of yesterday’s live-blogged game? (and, let’s face it- who wouldn’t)- Click here.

It seemed yesterday’s live blogging propelled the readership up from an average of 8 people a day to a massive 74 views yesterday! (WordPress gives you stats on these things don’t ya know). Thank you for all ur interest in my humble blog, and please leave a comment!

Today’s game could- once again- be Hanshin’s last for the season. Or it could propel us into a Final of Finals showdown against the Yomiuri Giants! Check back here from 6 o’clock to follow along with me! Until then, get in the mood by listening to this.

Game Underway!

Line Up- Akahoshi, Sekimoto, Arai, Kanemoto, Toritani, Katsuragi, Yano, Hirano, Iwata

1st 表(DRAGONS)

This is it! The decider between the Dragons and the Giants. Yesterday’s drink of choice was Belgian beer Leffe, while tonight I’m going for some White Zinfandel. No score at the top of the first.

1st 裏(TIGERS)

Hanshin in to bat. Akahoshi- “Red Star”- gets to first, then steals to second. Sekimoto strikes out. Arai- “Bon Jovi”- also struck out. Kanemoto hits into left field and is caught.

2nd 表(DRAGONS)

No score. Iwata is performing well tonight as Hanshin’s pitcher. Next up is Toritani- yesterday’s hero- onwards!

2nd 裏(TIGERS)

No score. A slower start than yesterday. Although I have been distracted for the last few minutes trying to kill a huge mosquito in my apartment. Finally got the bastard.

3rd 表(DRAGONS)

Another double play- nice fielding from Hanshin. Three out! All change. Still no score. Next up Iwata, followed by Hanshin’s Big Guns.

3rd 裏(TIGERS)

As expected Iwata is struck out.　Red Star is struck out with some good pitching from Chunichi. Sekimoto is caught. Still…no…action…

4th 表(DRAGONS)

This is a dull game compared to yesterdays. Luckily I can multitask- I can eat noodles, drink wine and send text messages at the same time as watching the baseball. Anyway, it will all get nervy in an hour or so, as the stakes rise…

Chunichi player caught- one out. Iwata’s pitching is consistently solid- I did his a disservice in assuming he would be our weak point today.　Almost another double play!　Two out. Three out! Ok! Nice defense by Hanshin- now all we need is some decent attacking.

4th 裏(TIGERS)

Arai up and out. Aniki- Kanemoto- is up. 2-3…and he’s out! Damn it. Next is Toritani…also out!! Damn it. What a boring game.

5th 表(DRAGONS)

Borrrrring. Maybe its the “kincho”, or nervous tension that’s the reason. Guess what? No score, all out.

5th 裏(TIGERS)

1 out. Interesting bunt towards third base by Yano, and he gets away with it when Woods drops the throw to first. Iwata caught. All change…mada mada!　Tsumaranyo!

6th, 7th

No. Score.

8th 表(DRAGONS)

We’re down to the tickly bits, but theres been no sign of anything resembling entertainment as of yet. Iwata continues to pitch! This is bizarre- but then again, he’s shown no signs of distraction yet. All out- all change.

8th 裏(TIGERS)

If there’s suddenly some action now the crowd will go wild. One out Hiyama in to bat. Out. Akahoshi…hit and an error combines to get him to THIRD BASE!!! Finally a chance!!!

Next up Sekimoto…awww no!! He hits and its caught out! Damn it!!

9th 表(DRAGONS)

Pitcher change- Iwata, otsukaresama! Iwata goes off after a great evenings work to be replaced by Japan’s best closing pitcher, Fujikawa Kyuji. We can’t afford any mistakes in this last innings…

Runner gets to first! This is nerve wracking! One mistake and we could be dumped out. Sheer passage of time has made this game interesting- the tension is palpable at this late stage.

OK one out! But a runner on second…fuck!! He’s got to third! Stole a base after Fujikawa’s wild pitch. What a chance for the Chunichi Dragons…

Dragons player caught out but the runner on third has no time to run home- we’re living dangerously!!　Woods, Chunichi star hitter, up next…

Two balls! I’m starting to shout at the computer screen. Get it together!　Three balls!!　Actually it might be better to walk Woods to first anyway.

Jeeeesus, I thought they’d scored. But its a foul, and the count is 2-3. Hanshin hanging on in there…

Nooooo!!!!　A poor pitch from Fujikawa and Woods smacks it into the stands. Chunichi lead by two!　Chunichi Dragons 2, Hanshin Tigers 0!

This is a disaster, and Fujikawa is a fucking joke.

9th 裏(TIGERS)

One chance to salvage the season. Three players and that could be it.

“Bon Jovi” Arai- caught out.

“Aniki” Kanemoto- looks like he’s on the verge of tears. Big hit…and he’s out!

Toritani- it’s all over. A season of joys and sorrows is brought to an end…1-1…2-1…and he’s out!

FINAL SCORE: Hanshin Tigers 0 Chunichi Dragons2

PITCHING ORDER: Iwata -> Fujikawa

KEY MAN: Iwata （岩田）

Hanshin’s 2008 season ends in disaster…今年の阪神終わる…and manager Okada’s five year stint ends…I can’t believe it…as the Chunichi players celebrate, shock and despair is etched on the faces of Toritani, Kanemoto, and Fujikawa- who basically handed the victory to Chunichi on a plate in the very last innings.　The tragedy in losing so late- cannot mask the fact that we underperformed offensively both today and all season. Yet it is a tragedy…eight innings of play with no score, good pitching from both sides and no real chances. Then Iwata- after eight winnings of solid work- is replaced by Fujikawa and in that next innings it all goes pear-shaped. Fujikawa is a star- the best pitcher in Japan- but today it went horribly wrong.

That’s all for Hanshin Tigers 2008.　サヨナラ。

Hanshin Tigers- Climax Series Battle!

Or “Last Obsessive Hanshin Tigers Post for this Season”?

Hanshin played their first Climax series game yesterday, surrendering pathetically 2-0 to the Chunichi Dragons at Osaka Dome. They now face the Dragons again, knowing that if they lose tonight the season really is all over. Check this website for updates of the game!

Go go Hanshin!!

1st 表 (top)　－　０－０

1st 裏 (bottom) －　Kanemoto timely hit puts the Tigers 1-0 up! Then Toritani hits a 3-run home run to put us 4-0 in the lead!!!

2nd 表 －　Chunichi pull one back. 4-1.

2nd 裏、3rd – No score.

４th 表 － No score, as Shimoyanagi continues his solid pitching. Next up Hanshins weaker hitters.

４th 裏 – Big hit from Yano gives Hanshin a runner on first! ファイト阪神！

- Another hit. Runners on first and third!

- But the good work is undone by Baldiris, whose weak hit lets Chunichi complete an easy double play. 2 out runner on third. Next up tho is Shimoyanagi- virtually no chance of a hit!

- 3 out.

5th 表(DRAGONS) - 3 out, next up Hanshin’s big hitters!

5th 裏(TIGERS) – Akahoshi out. Sekimoto big hits down the middle, and is almost caught out but he narrowly escapes being caught to get to 2nd! Next up is Arai, who’s player song is “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi for some reason…

- One out runner on second. With the count at 2-2 Arai hits it but is caught out. Two out.

- “Aniki”- Tomoaki Kanemoto, our greatest player- steps up. This 40 year-old batting machine holds the world record for the most consecutive games played in. He’s one of the greats. He hits it big….but its caught!! Three out, change.

6th 表(DRAGONS) - DISASTER. Chunichi player Moriya hits a home run. 4-2. Woods caught out. One out. Pitcher change- Shimoyanagi off, Atchison on.

- Damn it! Ichi rui (first base) hit. Get it together Hanshin!

- Next batter caught out. Two out!

- Ok!! Third catch by Aniki. Three out, all change! Hanshin lead 4-2…

6th 裏(TIGERS) - Ok!!!!! Toritani steps up and smashes the ball down the middle and into the crowd. Home run, 5-2 Hanshin!!

- Yano hits to get to first base. Okuri bunt gets him to second. 1 out runner on second.

- Get in there! Lin hits to get Yano to third. Another chance!!

- Mistake by Chunichi! The catcher drops the ball and Yano runs home!! 6-2!!!

- Four ball- Hiyama heads to first. Akahoshi- who’s name means “Red Star”- in to bat. With runners on first and third, Chunichi make another error!! The wild pitch means the runner on third runs home, while Akahoshi walks to first. Unbelievable mistake at this stage of the game. Hanshin lead 7-2!!

- This is turning into the pivotal innings in the game. An extended Chunichi time out results in a change of pitcher in an effort to close out the 6th. Next up are Hanshin’s top players- Sekimoto, Arai, Kanemoto, and Toritani! There’ll be further chances to score in this innings.

- 1 out, runners 1st and 2nd, Sekimoto : three strikes and he’s outta there. Next up Arai. He’s out too! So much for my prediction of more runs. At least we’ll start the bottom of the 7th with Kanemoto and Toritani this way. All change, Hanshin lead 7-2…

7th 表(DRAGONS) – Pitcher change- Atchison off, Williams on. Four ball moves runner to first.

- Nice play!! Hanshin Double Play, two out no runners!

- Hit gets runner to first. Another hit gets two runners in the field. Get it together Williams…

- Ok! On 2-3, Williams gets the third and final strike and its all change. 7-2 Hanshin…

LUCKY SEVEN INTERLUDE – Hanshin fans blow up the sperm-shaped balloons and release them into the stratosphere. We should be home and dry now, but never count your chickens…

7th 裏(TIGERS) - Kanemoto is caught out.　Toritani is run out. Yano is run out. Short innings, 7-2 Hanshin.

8th 表(DRAGONS) – Pitcher change- Williams off, Kubota on. Woods hits a HOME RUN! 7-3… they’re not out of it yet.

-One out and a runner on first…two out…ach yesterdays late night is getting the better of me, must sleep soon- three out! OK…7-3 Hanshin…

8th 裏(TIGERS) – Once again a quiet Hanshin innings. No score means it remains 7-3 going into the 9th and final innings.

9th 表(DRAGONS) -Pitcher change- completing the JFK line up, Kubota leaves the field to be replaced by Fujikawa. Come on Hanshin!

- One out!

- Two out!

- Three out, game set 終了しました！！

FINAL SCORE: Hanshin Tigers 7 Chunichi Dragons 3

PITCHING ORDER: Shimoyanagi -> Atchison -> Williams -> Kubota -> Fujikawa

KEY MAN: Toritani（ 鳥谷）

And with that the game is over, meaning the semi-final of the Climax Series is tied 1-1. The key innings of the game were the 1^st and 6^th- and in both of these Toritani played a crucial role. His 3-run home run built the foundation for Hanshin’s success, and his single homer in the 6^th – combined with two wild pitches and stolen runs- cemented Hanshin’s lead.

Tune in tomorrow at the same time for the final game of the semi-final playoff!! The winner of tomorrow’s game will advance to play the Yomiuri Giants in the 5-game final. Once again it could be Hanshin’s last game of the season- or it could put them into the final with their arch-rivals the Yomiuri Giants.

頑張れ阪神！

Seoul Design Exhibition 2008, Olympic Park

Marathon Day

On Friday we had the annual marathon. My job was to run behind the students and “encourage” them with a rolled up newspaper. Actually it was quite fun, and after we got out of sight of the Vice Principal I walked along with the stragglers and talked to those who wanted to practice English. Whenever a checkpoint came up I would shout “run! go! go! go!” to get them going again until the danger- sorry, teachers- had passed.

This marathon lasted from 9am till around 11, after which we talked, played games and rested in the World Cup Stadium Park until 3pm. Then there was a drinking party, dominated by old men and soju (more of which another time) that I managed to escape from around 5ish.

Starting The Marathon At 8.30am

Gentle Encouragement From Gwansama

Me With Kuma-Lee and Nam

Mr. Lee and Ms. Jin

Nam, Ms.Im, Mr.Lee and Mr.Park

Fight-ing!

World Cup Fun; South Korea vs UAE

Last night I went to see a World Cup Qualifier at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul, featuring the mighty Red Devils (aka South Korea) and the footballing giants of the United Arab Emirates. Despite initial misgivings, it ended up being a really entertaining, open game. Pre-game joviality included the taking of pictures with the one UAE fan we saw, and some bets- I had 2-1, and amigos Jake and Paul 2-0 and 2-1 respectively.

Things started well, and it didn’t take long until Lee Keun-Ho made the best of early pressure to put Korea into the lead on 20 minutes. Only 6 minutes later, Park Ji-Sung made it two with a well taken shot blasted into the top right corner. At half time it looked like Korea might just sit back and protect their lead, but they opened with a flourish after the break and should have been 3 or 4 nil up in no time. One attempted lob hit the bar, and for a while I thought luck was on the UAE’s (and Jake’s) side. On 72 minutes UAE scored a soft goal, and I thought I was in the money. But my financial gains- and any lingering Korean nerves- dissapeared 10 minutes from time with a third, and Lee Keun-Ho got his second- and Korea’s forth- in the closing minutes.

While the attendence was dissapointing, and the crowd lacking the Brummie spirit of, well, Blues fans, it was a really good game and the World Cup Stadium is a great venue- a spacious, modern venue holding 65,000. Looks like I’ll be back there again in a few weeks with a teacher who wants to take me to an FC Seoul game.

Pictures soon.

Forgotten Photos From The Summer

Here’s some pics from the summer I found on my digital camera.