Thursday, May 16, 2002
Thursday, May 16, 2002 |
| Sport | ||
|
News:
Front Page |
National |
Southern States |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Sport
-
Football
Mexico hosted the 13th World Cup finals less than a year after being hit by a massive earthquake that left 30,000 dead. As in 1970, the players had to endure searing heat and thin air, and midday kick-offs, thanks to television schedules. The match of the tournament took place in the quarterfinals, when Zico's Brazil faced Michel Platini-inspired France, which had already knocked out holder Italy, in Guadalajara. A flowing match finished 1-1 before France won the penalty shootout 4-3. Diego Maradona established himself as the star of the tournament. The Argentine's infamous `Hand of God' goal, when he punched the ball into the net, and a spectacular solo effort put paid to England's hopes in the last eight stage and he produced more magic to see off Belgium in the semifinals. West Germany beat France in the semifinals, just as it had four years earlier, but in the final it was quickly 0-2 down to Argentina, Jose Luis Brown and Jorge Valdano scoring. Somehow, the Germans recovered. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Rudi Voller netted in the closing stages to force extra-time, only for Maradona, inevitably, to send Jorge Burruchaga through for the winner. Not since Pele in 1970 had one man so inspired a team to glory. Legends: Diego Maradona, Argentina (born 1960): The most gifted footballer since Pele, whose ability for creating headlines off the pitch is surpassed only by his astounding performances on it. In 1982, he was sent off for a disgraceful kick on a Brazilian opponent as Argentina crashed out before the semifinals. But in Mexico, in 1986, he was simply unstoppable, as Argentina triumphed. An outrageous handball goal and a dazzling solo effort past six defenders dashed England's chances, but he produced another sensational zig-zag dribble in the semifinals against Belgium. When West Germany recovered from 0-2 down in the final, it was Maradona's first-time through pass that set up Argentina's winner. Four years later, he inspired an ordinary and highly negative Argentina side to the final, finishing it in tears as West Germany won with a penalty. At USA 94, he was back, seemingly slim and sharp, despite a series of drugs problems, only to be sensationally kicked out of the tournament after testing positive for a cocktail of amphetamines. Gary Lineker, England (born 1960): Clinical goal-scorer second only to Bobby Charlton in the all-time England goal-scoring records with 48 from 80 caps. Missed the chance to equal the record when he tamely chipped a penalty straight at the goalkeeper in a friendly against Brazil. Fast off the mark, and immensely cool under pressure, he often passed the ball into the net rather than blasted it. The majority of his goals came from close-range. Saved England in the 1986 finals when he scored a hat-trick against Poland. Further goals against Paraguay and Argentina saw him finish to scorer with six goals. At Italia 90, he was coolness personified in scoring two penalties to see England past Cameroon and then equalising late on against West Germany in the semifinals. Never won a domestic league title at club-level. International career ended when he was controversially substituted while captaining, by then coach Graham Taylor in a disastrous European Championship match in Sweden in 1992. Likeable, known as Mr. Clean for his record of never having been booked in his professional career. Rudi Voller, Germany (born 1960): A real goal poacher who was inspirational in West Germany's surprisingly strong showing at the 1986 finals in Mexico. Not particularly big, but strong on the ball and super efficient at dispatching half chances, as he showed when scoring late in the final against Argentina to make it 2-2. Managed 43 goals in 84 appearances for West Germany, helping it to victory in the 1990 World Cup in Italy with three goals in the opening stages. He was then sent off against Holland together with Frank Rijkaard for fighting, with the Dutchman spitting full in Voller's face as they trudged off the pitch. Top scorers: Gary Lineker (Eng) 6; Diego Maradona (Arg) 5; Emilio Butragueno (Spa) 5; Careca (Bra) 5. Trivia: — Mexico became the first country to stage two Finals after the original host Colombia, financially bankrupt, withdrew its application. — Denmark, Iraq and Canada were making their debuts in the finals. — Eight venues were used for the 52-match programme. They were: Guadalajara, Puebla, Leon, Queretaro, Irapuato, Toluca, Monterrey and Mexico City. — The opening game between the holder Italy and Bulgaria ended 1-1. Alessandro Altobelli, scorer of Italy's last goal in the 1982 final, became the first player to score in this tournament. — Iraq was denied a goal in its first World Cup game, which it lost 0-1 to Paraguay, when the referee blew his whistle a split-second before Ahmed Rhadi's header crossed the line. — Ray Wilkins became the first England player to be sent off in the World Cup when he was red carded in a 0-0 draw with Morocco for throwing the ball at the referee. — Mexico's 1-1 draw with Paraguay in the group stages featured 55 fouls. The referee was England's George Courtney. — Uruguay's Jose Batista was sent off after just 55 seconds for hacking down Gordon Strachan in a 0-0 draw with Scotland. — Gary Lineker saved England's bacon by scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 defeat of Poland that saw it edge into the second round. It had earlier lost 0-1 to Portugal, whose players threatened to go on strike just before the match over bonus payments. — On his 41st birthday Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pat Jennings gained his world record 119th international cap against Brazil. After the game, which was won 3-0 by Brazil, Jennings announced his retirement. — Argentina's Marcelo Trobbiani made his one and only World Cup appearance as an 88th-minute substitute in the final against West Germany, equalling the record for the shortest World Cup career set by Tunisia's Khemais Labidi in 1978. The winning squad: Goalkeepers: Luis Islas, Oscar Ruggieri, Hector Miguel Zelada. Defenders: Jose Luis Brown, Nestor Clausen, Jose Luis Cuciuffo, Oscar Garre, Ricardo Giusti, Julio Jorge Olarticoechea, Daniel Passarella. Midfielders: Sergio Almiron, Sergio Daniel Batista, Ricardo Bochini, Jorge Burruchaga, Hector Adolfo Henrique, Diego Maradona. Forwards: Claudio Borghi, Pedro Pablo Pasculli, Carlos Tapia, Marcelo Trobbiani, Jorge Valdano. Coach: Carlos Bilardo.
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail
News:
Front Page |
National |
Southern States |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | Home |
Copyright © 2002, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|