Recently in Hong Kong one was able to witness one's first ever football '(unofficial) World Cup Final'! What's the story... This 'competition' runs an alternative to the FIFA World Cup, basically an Unofficial Football World Championship on an ongoing regular basis. It runs on an easy system - similar to that of Boxing - if you win against the current champion you become the world champion! This dates back to the very first international match - England v Scotland back in 1872. England won the match and they became Unofficial Football World Champions until they lost. A league table exists which tracks all time champions (Scotland are currently leading). You get a point for a win when you play in a World Champions Match and nothing for a draw.
As a mad football fan, I had heard about this competition before and thought it was a quirky alternative to the popular FIFA World Cup. But until recently I had never been to a match then the option of North Korea v Hong Kong came up - Australia drawing with North Korea meant that the North Koreans were still unofficial World Champions going into the match with Hong Kong recently.
So now I could go to an actual Unofficial World Cup Final - living currently in Hong Kong made it possible!
The youth in me hasn't left - I was very excited especially when I saw my match ticket and knew I was heading to basically an alternative World Cup Final.
I headed over to Hong Kong Stadium on HK Island for the match - I went with 3 others and it was a fun day out. The price to get in was 80 HKD (basically 6.40 UK and $10.30 USD). The views inside and around the stadium are immense. Skyscrapers and hills almost hide the sky on you!
If you've been to Hong Kong you will know that skyscrapers are as much a part of the city's culture as the traditional lunchtime meal Dim Sum. You can't help but appreciate the views everywhere you go in Hong Kong and the area that houses the national stadium here in no different.
However we were here for the football and in Hong Kong's first appearance in this Unofficial World Cup Final, they couldn't quite handle the North Koreans. They kept it to 0-0 for most of the first half, but once the Koreans scored one, they hit another 2 to establish a 3-0 half time lead. Hong Kong had some pace about them but overall were out of their depth in terms of skill and strength and North Korea added a 4th to make the final score a deserved 4-0. North Korea retained their tag of Unofficial World Champions.
Later on however Australia clinched the Asian Cup place leaving the North Koreans out of luck. The Aussies hit 8 past Chinese Taipei (Taiwan's national team) in an 8-0 win. So while North Korea are still unofficial World Champions, they lost out on their East Asian Cup place on goal difference!
There were actually a few North Korean fans at the match who I spoke to - they spoke English and had interesting stories to tell even though they are not actually North Korean they brought a flag along to support the team they support.
You might ask - where is the photo of North Korea lifting the trophy - but there isn't an actual presentation - it's just the honour! Well done to North Korea for remaining unofficial world champions and roll on the next UFWC / Unofficial Football World Championships title match.
And while I'm at it - if you know me, you'll know I come from Northern Ireland - I hope we can win the UFWC again - Northern Ireland are 5 times winners and 29th in the all time rankings. I'm looking forward to attending another UFWC title match someday!
As a mad football fan, I had heard about this competition before and thought it was a quirky alternative to the popular FIFA World Cup. But until recently I had never been to a match then the option of North Korea v Hong Kong came up - Australia drawing with North Korea meant that the North Koreans were still unofficial World Champions going into the match with Hong Kong recently.
So now I could go to an actual Unofficial World Cup Final - living currently in Hong Kong made it possible!
The youth in me hasn't left - I was very excited especially when I saw my match ticket and knew I was heading to basically an alternative World Cup Final.
I headed over to Hong Kong Stadium on HK Island for the match - I went with 3 others and it was a fun day out. The price to get in was 80 HKD (basically 6.40 UK and $10.30 USD). The views inside and around the stadium are immense. Skyscrapers and hills almost hide the sky on you!
If you've been to Hong Kong you will know that skyscrapers are as much a part of the city's culture as the traditional lunchtime meal Dim Sum. You can't help but appreciate the views everywhere you go in Hong Kong and the area that houses the national stadium here in no different.
However we were here for the football and in Hong Kong's first appearance in this Unofficial World Cup Final, they couldn't quite handle the North Koreans. They kept it to 0-0 for most of the first half, but once the Koreans scored one, they hit another 2 to establish a 3-0 half time lead. Hong Kong had some pace about them but overall were out of their depth in terms of skill and strength and North Korea added a 4th to make the final score a deserved 4-0. North Korea retained their tag of Unofficial World Champions.
Later on however Australia clinched the Asian Cup place leaving the North Koreans out of luck. The Aussies hit 8 past Chinese Taipei (Taiwan's national team) in an 8-0 win. So while North Korea are still unofficial World Champions, they lost out on their East Asian Cup place on goal difference!
There were actually a few North Korean fans at the match who I spoke to - they spoke English and had interesting stories to tell even though they are not actually North Korean they brought a flag along to support the team they support.
You might ask - where is the photo of North Korea lifting the trophy - but there isn't an actual presentation - it's just the honour! Well done to North Korea for remaining unofficial world champions and roll on the next UFWC / Unofficial Football World Championships title match.
And while I'm at it - if you know me, you'll know I come from Northern Ireland - I hope we can win the UFWC again - Northern Ireland are 5 times winners and 29th in the all time rankings. I'm looking forward to attending another UFWC title match someday!
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