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FANS OF CHINA'S national soccer team will find out tomorrow exactly where the side will play their three group games at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Finals next June.

Supporters of the team, some planning to travel and follow the side's fortunes at the big event, will find out if their destination is Japan or Korea when they watch the World Cup draw.

The draw takes place in Busan, South Korea at a 90-minute ceremony tomorrow.

It will be the first official event of the 2002 FIFA World Cup and results of the draw will be keenly awaited by the teams that have qualified for the tournament and fans from every corner of the globe.

Wherever China are scheduled to play, the rewards for that country will be great.

Reports estimate more than half a million Chinese fans could travel there, hoping to attend matches next summer, and that another half a billion will be watching on television back home.

To ensure a fair draw, the 32 finalists will be seeded following a formula that takes into account the last three World Cup Finals and the FIFA world rankings.

China are in the third tier of seeds and cannot be placed with others from that rank, including rivals Saudi Arabia.

However, it is tantalisingly possible they could be drawn in a group with co-hosts Japan, a talent packed England side and the beatable United States team, with all matches played in Japan.

Another scenario would be to play in Korea against reigning champions France, undefeated qualifiers Portugal and Olympic champions Cameroon - matches China are unlikely to score a goal in, let alone win.

Those who were smart enough to have bought tickets earlier this year at a reasonable price are looking forward to some football fever next June.

One fan from Hong Kong managed to get tickets for three matches scheduled in Sapporo, in the north of Japan.

'I booked tickets for myself and some friends way back in February, but since then a lot of teams have qualified and they've become difficult to get,' said Simon Leung Wiu-cheung from Homantin.

Mr Leung, 30, was philosophical about which team he and his mates would most like to see play next summer.

'It would be great to see Brazil, Argentina or England, but really I'm just happy I'm going, although I can't say I don't mind completely!'

Even if China do not end up making an appearance in Sapporo, Mr Leung and his friends will be flying one flag or another and cheering enthusiastically.

'We'll wait and see who gets drawn to play there, then go out and buy the team shirt!'

Cable TV is the official World Cup broadcaster for Hong Kong, a right they allegedly paid millions of dollars for, and its sports crew know exactly where they want the China team to play.

'Japan!' said presenter Chan Yan-yan. Soccer commentators, Michael Cheung Chi-tak and Eric Lau Kin-kei, both agreed. 'Japan is best,' said Cheung, a former Hong Kong National team player.

The ceremony in Busan will be broadcast live on Cable TV at 6 pm.

Shoppers in Times Square and Causeway Bay will be able watch it on the huge screen, and live cameras there will capture the local reaction.



Fate and fortune