And over here in Korea,... also,... tens of thousands of fans, wanting to share that moment of the opening match in Russia,... took to the streets of Seoul and the country's other major cities to watch the game on large screens.
Our Kan Hyeong-woo went to check it out and files this report.
"I hope all 23 of our players leave everything on the pitch so they finish victorious. Go Korea "

Anticipation and excitement.
Two words that best describe the atmosphere leading up to South Korea's first game at the Russia World Cup.

An estimated 16-thousand football fans flooded onto the streets of southern Seoul on Monday night to watch Team Korea take on Sweden.

Yeongdongdae-ro Street was one of many cheering locations across the nation after roads had been blocked the previous night for the special event.

As kickoff edged closer, fans clad in bright red began to fill the streets, watching pre-match entertainment courtesy of several K-Pop singers and bands.

The cheers and excitement reached fever pitch as the whistle blew for the start of the game. However, those cheers turned to groans when Sweden scored the game's first and only goal.

While the disappointment was palpable at the final whistle,... most went home knowing all is not lost... and the team still has two more chances at redemption.

"Watching games outside and cheering on the Taegeuk Warriors has been a Korean World Cup tradition since 2002, and this Russian World Cup is no exception."

Fans will be out on the streets again for the next two matches against Mexico on the 24th and Germany on the 27th.
Kan Hyeong-woo, Arirang News.