The ears are still singing, the neck hairs are still on end, the mind is still well and truly boggled.

Asian-style soccer mania washed over the World Cup when fans of co-hosts South Korea and Japan revealed the astonishing intensity of their passion for the game on Tuesday.

Those in the stadiums at Pusan and Saitama witnessed a unique brand of ordered hysteria that taught the traditional soccer hotbeds of

Europe and South America a thing or two about supporting your team.

To the uninitiated it was an intoxicating, uplifting experience as wave after wave of positive energy pulsed around the arenas.

The fans' fervour communicated itself to the players on the pitch, and South Korea's 2-0 win over Poland and Japan's thrilling 2-2 draw with Belgium have dispelled fears that the home teams at Asia's first World Cup could get steam-rollered.

Pusan stadium was a cauldron of deafening noise throughout South Korea's impressive victory. As a

result, the home side appeared to have far more energy than the Poles.

The locals had been counting down to the game from the day six years ago they were awarded cohosting rights. Most of those lucky enough to have tickets ensured they were safely in their seats at least an hour before kick-off.

Performing almost in perfect unison, the 50,000 supporters created a sea of red, bobbing and sway

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