In Gecko's, a lively bar in Itaewon, on Tuesday night, people from Denmark, France, Ireland, Japan, Senegal, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, the USA and, of course, Korea, mixed happily, many of them dressed in their national colors, singing songs and sharing drinks together.

It was a wonderful atmosphere that demonstrated the success of the World Cup in Korea, where football fans from East and West, the Northern hemisphere and the South have merged, with hardly a hint of trouble, to create a fusion of color and cultures.

With the World Cup approaching the half way stage, Korea can be satisfied that, so far, it has co-hosted the tournament with success, winning praise from visitors for its friendliness and impressing the billions of television viewers overseas with its beautiful stadiums - although the empty seats have been a disappointment.

Korea has also been fortunate that the quality of football - the factor that truly determines success or failure of the World Cup - has been high with many exciting matches, such as Tuesday's thrilling 3-3 draw between Senegal and Uruguay in Suwon, and surprise results, such as France's opening match defeat.

The showpiece opening ceremony, a testament to Korean culture and creativity, also won praise.

But perhaps the thing that has created the biggest impression around the world has been the Korean team and its magnificent supporters, the Red Devils. The attractive, attacking nature of Guus Hidink's team and the noise, passion and color of its fans have attracted approving remarks from commentators around the world.

Some people in Seoul have expressed concern that the Red Devils, with their fervent brand of nationalism, project the wrong image of Korea, especially through their hostile reception for the USA team in Daegu. In fact, completely the opposite is true, the Red Devils are a symbol of a dynamic, passionate, fun, independent and increasingly self-confident nation.

As for the explosion of anti-American sentiment that was expected to surround the USA match, well, I hardly noticed it. The Star Spangled Banner was observed with respect by the Daegu crowd and the heckling of USA players was mild in comparison with the abuse that is normal in European or South American matches. In fact, as one newspaper column observed on the day of the match, perhaps the Red Devils should learn to be a bit LESS polite!

As for Ahn Jung-hwan's speed-skating goal celebration, most foreigners would not have understood it and those that did mostly thought it was funny.

However, there have been some complaints from foreigners during the World Cup.

Some visitors have recognised the weakness of Korea's service sector. For example, fans and journalists have found it difficult to find restaurants serving late at night and there has been a lack of food inside the stadiums - depriving the organisers of revenue and leaving people hungry. The lack of 24-hour cash (ATM) dispensers is another common complaint.

Security around the stadiums - from the over-enthusiastic traffic police to the stewards that insist on removing the bottle-tops of people's drinks - has been a little too officious, although perhaps understandably so considering the threat of terrorism.

My biggest fear is that if Korea fails to qualify for the last 16 on Friday, the country may quickly lose its interest in the World Cup. The empty seats and quiet atmosphere at many group games have reinforced the impression that most of Korea's interest in the World Cup is focused on the national team rather than the tournament as a whole. People's enthusiasm for Guus Hiddink's team seems to be more about national pride than genuine love of football - this is a country, after all, that watches more baseball than soccer.

It would be a heavy blow to the World Cup if Korea's bright team and their vibrant fans were lost to the tournament on Friday but it would be even more damaging if the Korean people ignored the rest of the event as a result. Over the next two weeks, Korea is about to get a once in a lifetime opportunity to see at close quarters the world's very best footballers fight it out for the most prestigious prize in world sport. It would be a shame if people turned away in their disappointment over Korea's exit.

These concerns will prove academic if Korea, cheered on by the Red Devils, achieve the point they need in Incheon on Friday, sparking a nationwide party. But win or lose, all Korean people should be very proud of its team, the Red Devils and themselves for putting on such a great show.

(Seoul Correspondent for the Financial Times)