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China's number one fan

Wang says China's coach Bora Mulitinovic is a great mentor for the team but not very trustworthy as a person

SEOGWIPO, South Korea (CNN) -- Meet Mr.Wang. The 46-year-old claims to be World Cup debutant China's best football fan. Considering China is a nation of more than 1 billion people, it is a pretty big claim.

"I am China's most loyal supporter. I stick with them all the time," he says as he attaches two banners to the cyclone wire fencing of the Jungmun soccer field in South Korea's Jeju island as the Chinese team comes out to train.

'China's dragons are coming,' reads one sign. 'Good luck brothers,' the other.

Spotting the fan, one of the team's bodyguards come near.

"Hello Mr. Wang," says the bodyguard from the other side of the fence.

"Hello Mr. Bodyguard," comes the reply. "Tell Fan I hope he can play against Brazil," Wang adds, referring to China's star defender Fan Zhiyi who is virtually ruled out of Saturday's game at Seogwipo against the South American football powerhouse with a foot injury.

Lonely figure

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Dressed in a red and yellow silk singlet that covers his shirt and trousers, Wang Longjun cuts a lonely figure during training.

Despite being one of an estimated 30,000 fans that have made the trip to Korea from China, he is the only supporter there that morning -- a far cry from the bright yellow and green of the 1,000 Brazilians sprinkled throughout Seogwipp ahead of the match.

The mass exodus of residents to follow China's Group C fortunes against Costa Rica, Brazil and Turkey in Korea is believed to be the largest number of tourists ever to leave the communist nation's borders in one hit.

The pilgrimage was anticipated to reach as many as 100,000 by over optimistic organizers and provide something of a windfall for Korea's tourism industry.

"I wouldn't miss it for anything," Wang says. "I have followed China all my life and now after such a long time they are here."

Promise

But Wang almost didn't make it. As he explains, China's coach, Bora Mulitinovic, had told Wang that he would give him a ticket for the Seogwipo match.

"He said 'If I can take China to the World Cup finals, I will take you with me,'" Wang says.

When Wang met Mulitonivic to enquire about the ticket, he was told it would be there for him in Korea. However, he was not allowed a visa to travel without first possessing the ticket.

Worried he would miss the game, Wang sought assistance and eventually an Internet portal and a Chinese newspaper came to the rescue and helped him get to Korea.

"Bora Mulitinovic is a great coach, he is the chief. I will follow him wherever he goes," Wang says with respect to the man who is taking his fifth side to the World Cup finals.

"But he does not have a good general character," Wang laughs.

No heart

Wang flew in from his home city of Shenyang, in China's Liaoming province on Wednesday and will return on Sunday.

Delighted to be there, Wang recounts step by step every China game he has seen. But mention Costa Rica, and Wang's face turns ashen and his happy demeanor is lost.

"I am very disappointed. They played without any heart," Wang says of China's 2-0 defeat to Costa Rica Tuesday in their debut World Cup appearance.

Delighted to be there: Wang got to Korea with help from a newspaper and an Internet portal

"Mulitinovic didn't train these guys seriously enough."

By now, a crowd of Chinese journalists had gathered around Wang, requesting interviews and comments.

Animated, Wang describes the loss of Mulitinovic's prime defenders Fan and Sun Jihai as monumental catastrophes. He explains the problems up forward.

However, when asked about China's chances against Brazil, Wang's smile returns.

"It will be a big test, but we will lose," he says arguing that it is better to be realistic.

"A donkey will never be faster than a racehorse."