Trinidadian historian C.I.R. James recognized sport as a form of ritualized combat, stirring national passion in ways that are second only to war.
When countries with historical and political tensions meet on the soccer field ,the level of intensity can reach fever pitch 。
When Korea or China faces off with Japan, to many it is as if the previous century of conflict is re-enacted on the field ,In a match to determine which team would go to Switzerland for the 1954 World Cup, Korean President Syngman Rhee reportedly ordered the Korean team not to return to Korea should they lose to Japan.