World Cup Sid gets upclose with Uruguay, S Korea

Last updated on: June 27, 2010 18:51 IST

Image: The Uruguayan team bus leaves the hotel

Siddhanta Pinto in South Africa

World Cup Sid - Rediff.com's man in South Africa, Siddhanta Pinto - shares his experience of watching the first Round of 16 match between Uruguay and South Korea.

Summerstrand in Port Elizabeth, a beautiful beautiful drive past the pristine ocean got us to the Marine Hotel.

And surprise, surprise! I see the Uruguay team bus on their way to their round of 16 knock-out game. Notice the security man upset with me as I jump right in front of their motorcade to take some pictures.

Image: Uruguayan players in the team bus

Catch a glimpse of some of their stars, but sadly not my main man Forlan.

Image: On way to the Nelson Mandela Stadium

I find my way to the stadium from the top of Sydenham, 2 hours in advance, and already, there are lots who have beaten me to it.

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Image: Uruguayan fans cheer and wave their flags

The Uruguayan fans arrive early and take their positions. Extremely friendly, they make a huge racket.

Image: Uruguayan fans at the match

Uruguay fans cheer and scream before the match.

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Image: A fan plays a Kuduzela

Nope not a vuvuzela, it's a Kuduzela!

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Image: Diego Forlan warms up before the match

Uruguay's star player Diego Forlan emerges for warm up to rapturous applause.

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Image: Indian fans at the match

Football crazy Bangla brothers.

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Image: South Korean fans wave their flags

Say hello to the South Korea fans.

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Image: Players stand in respect as the national anthems are played out

Time for the National Anthems.

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Image: A South Korean player takes a free-kick

A brilliant South Korean free-kick lined up in the first few minutes...

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Image: The set-piece effort manages to find the post

And hits the post!

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Image: Diego Forlan tries to cuts past a South Korean defender

Immediately at the other end, the brilliant Diego Forlan with a superb piece of skill, gets the better of his defender and sends in a low cross.

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Image: Luis Suarez (extreme left) celebrates with team-mates after scoring

And the opportunistic Luis Suarez scores.

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Image: Forlan gets hoisted for setting up the first goal

All players do not rush to Suarez, some hoist Forlan, for it is clearly a goal for his hard work.

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Image: A thick cloud cover over the stadium

Half time at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, and the clouds are threatening.

Image: Fans cheer their teams by blowing the vuvuzelas

Vuvuzelas resound. Non-Stop!

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Image: Light showers start during the match

And then the heavens open up. It is freezing in the light blowing rain. People from the lower uncovered levels (such as myself) rush up towards shelter in a surprisingly not-so-packed stadium.

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