World Cup 1982 - Day Twelve

DAY TWELVE

Thursday 24^th June 1982

GROUP TWO, Estadio Carlos Tartiere, Oviedo. (17:15)

ALGERIA   (3)   3   (Assad 8, 30, Bensaoula 34)

CHILE   (0)   2   (Neira pen 59, Letelier 74)

Algeria: Cerbah; Guendouz, Merzekane, Larbes, Kourichi; Mansouri (Dahleb), Fergani; Assad, Bensaoula, Madjer, Bourebbou (Yahi)

Chile: Osben; Galindo, Bigorra, Figueroa, Valenzuela; Dubo, Bonvallet (Soto), Moscoso, Neira; Caszely (Letelier), Yanez

In their first ever World Cup, Algeria had been a revelation.  Beating West Germany in their first match they then lost to Austria, but victory against Chile could see them get through to the second phase, something which would’ve seemed remarkable when they arrived in Spain.  But they’d have to try and do it without Belloumi who was injured.  Chile had been disappointing, although a good win here could still see them go through.

Algeria were attacking from the start and it was hardly a surprise when they scored after 8 minutes from yet another move down the right.  Madjer crossed, Bensaoula layed it back for Assad to fire them in front.  Madjer then hit the post when he cut inside on the left and floated a shot with his right foot which hit the far post and he was unlucky not to double their lead.  Bensaoula then also hit woodwork with a drive from 25 yards.  But Algeria were soon to score again.  Assad was put in and his left foot ‘poke’ was deflected in.  Just 4 minutes later they’d made it 3-0.  Bensaoula fired another shot from 25 yards out but this time it beat Osben.  3-0 up at half-time and they had one foot in the second phase.  Chile, to their credit, came back into it in the second half.  On the hour, Yanez was tripped in the box and Neira stepped up and scored to get them a goal back.  With 15 minutes still remaining, Letelier scored a good individual goal, rounding the keeper and beating three men on the line with a left foot shot.  In the end Algeria were deserved winners and now had to wait for tomorrow’s game between Austria and West Germany.  An Austrian win or draw would see Algeria through.

GROUP FOUR, Estadio Jose Zorrilla, Valladolid. (17:15)

CZECHOSLOVAKIA   (0)   1   (Panenka pen 84)

FRANCE   (0)   1   (Six 66)

Czechoslovakia: Stromsik; Fiala, Barmos, Vojacek, Radimec; Bicovsky, Stambacher, Vizek; Janecka (Panenka), Kriz (Masny), Nehoda

France: Ettori; Amoros, Janvion, Tresor, Bossis; Genghini, Platini, Giresse; Lacombe (Couriol), Six, Soler (Girard)

In Group Four, France had bounced back from their opening game defeat to England when they comfortably beat Kuwait.  But with Czechoslovakia being held by Kuwait the French only needed a draw from this one.  Czechoslovakia had been disappointing up to now and didn’t really get any better in this match.  France had the better of the chances in the first half with Lacombe and Giresse going closest.  In the 66^th minute the Czechs failed to clear in their defence and Lacombe went through, with the keeper coming out and only half-stopping the shot and Six was there to walk the ball into the empty net.  France should’ve made the game certain when Soler hit the post and Giresse fired over.  But with 6 minutes to go, Bossis brought Vizek down in the box and Panenka was calm under pressure when scoring from the spot, despite the referee re-spotting the ball and Platini walking in front of him at the start of his run.  The game ended 1-1 and the Czechs ended with 10 men as Vizek was sent-off for retaliating to some niggly challenge from Soler, and that probably summed up their tournament.  France were almost through to join England from this group, but a 4-goal win for Kuwait would put them out.

GROUP FIVE, Estadio La Romareda, Zaragoza. (21:00)

HONDURAS   (0)   0

YUGOSLAVIA   (0)   1   (Petrovic pen 87)

Honduras: Arzu; Villegas, Costly, Drummond, Bulnes; Maradiaga, Cruz (Laing), Zelaya, Yearwood; Betancourt, Figueroa

Yugoslavia: Pantelic; Gudelj, Stojkovic, Jovanovic, (Halilhodzic) Krmpotic, Zajec; Petrovic, Sljivo; Vujovic (Sestic), Susic, Surjak

This was the tightest group of them all.  2pts separating all 4 sides.  Honduras, like Algeria and Cameroon, had been a revelation.  Whereas the Yugoslavs could consider themselves unlucky to lose to the hosts, yet a win here could put pressure on Spain when they take on Northern Ireland the next night.  The game was goalless at half-time with Yugoslavia having the better of the chances, with Petrovic hitting the bar from a free-kick.  The game was entering the final minutes when substitute, Sestic beat a couple of Hondurans on the right wing, but as he weaved his way into the area, Villegas brought him down.  The referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty and Gilberto Yearwood protested so much he was sent-off.  Petrovic took the penalty and scored.  It was the third penalty of the day and gave Yugoslavia a crucial win but they had a nervous 24-hour wait to see if they were going through.  They would if Spain won.

World Cup 1982 - Day Nine

DAY NINE

Monday 21^st June 1982

GROUP TWO, Estadio Carlos Tartiere, Oviedo. (17:15)

AUSTRIA   (0)   2   (Schachner 56 Krankl, 67)

ALGERIA   (0)   0  

Austria: Koncilia; Krauss, Degeorgi, Pezzey, Obermayer; Hattenberger, Baumeister, Prohaska, Hintermaier; Schachner, Krankl

Algeria: Cerbah; Guendouz, Merzekane, Mansouri, Kourichi; Fergani, Belloumi (Bensaoula), Dahleb (Tlemcani); Zidane, Madjer, Assad

This was a much anticipated match after both won their opening matches.  Algeria were still buzzing from their victory over the mighty Germans.  Austria had eased past Chile although the 1-0 win would suggest otherwise.  Both teams knew the winner of this match would definitely go through to the next phase.  Both sides had decent penalty shouts in the first half and Algeria found Koncilia in fine form in the Austrian goal.  10 minutes into the second half and Austria came forward and Welzl’s shot was blocked but the ball fell to Walter Schachner who swung a foot at it and his shot went in off the post.  10 minutes later Welzl, who’d only come on at half-time, was again involved as he brought the ball forward after an Algerian attack had broken down.  As the defence struggled to work out who to mark, they left the most dangerous player, Hans Krankl and he fired a left foot shot from the edge of the area in for the 2^nd goal.  Austria were 2 wins from 2 games and through to the next round.

GROUP FOUR, Estadio Jose Zorrilla, Valladolid. (17:15)

FRANCE   (2)   4   (Genghini 31, Platini 43, Six 48, Bossis 90)

KUWAIT   (0)   1   (Al-Buloushi 75)

France: Ettori; Amoros, Janvion (Lopez), Tresor, Bossis; Genghini, Platini (Girard), Giresse; Lacombe, Soler, Six

Kuwait: Al-Tarabulsi; N. Mubarak, Al-Mubarak (Al-Shemmari), Mayouf, M. Mubarak; Al-Houti, Al-Buloushi, Al-Anbari, Karam (Marzouq); Sultan Al-Dakheel

France had been beaten by England in their opening game whereas Kuwait had earned a creditable draw against the Czechs in their first ever World Cup match.  This game became infamous for what happened towards the end of the match, but for the first half France were the more dominant.  Just after the half-hour France had a free-kick just outside the area just right of centre and Genghini curled a beautiful shot over the wall and into the top corner for the opening goal.  Six had the ball in the net earlier, but it was ruled offside when Giresse played a one-two and had run too far ahead of the ball for the return.  Then just before the break, Giresse played Platini in and he calmly passed the ball into the net, past Al-Tarabulsi.  It was as simple as they come but underlined the sheer quality of this French midfield.

France began for the second half, where they left off in the first as Platini played a lovely ball over the defence for Six to take it on the chest and then meet it on the half-volley to put France 3-0 up.

Maxime Bossis then surged forward, played a one-two with Giresse and was put clear of the defence to round the keeper and score, but the flag went up for offside and the goal was ruled out.  Kuwait then got a goal back when a quickly taken free-kick gave Al-Buloushi the chance to score.  France then had the ball in the net again, but Amoros was adjudged offside after he’d come forward from the back looking to get in on the act.  Then the fun and games began.  Another good passing move saw Platini play Giresse in and the Kuwait defence stopped because they heard the whistle.  However, the referee hadn’t blown his whistle and Giresse was most definitely not offside, but when Giresse went onto score the Kuwait players were incensed.  Not only the players but the management and even the President of Kuwait FA in the stands, and he ordered the players off in protest.  The game was held up for about 15 minutes and unbelievably the referee ordered a drop-ball to resolve the issue.  Had the French been losing at the time it is hard to see them agree to this solution, but they got on with it and eventually scored their 4^th goal.  But not before the 5^th disallowed goal of the game when Kuwait had the ball in the net.  A header looked to be going in when inexplicably, Al-Dakheel, who was in an offside position, helped it over the line.  Had he left the ball he may not have been flagged for offside.  Then in the 90^th minute, Bossis forced his way forward and then fired the ball in from a tight angle.  4-1 was a good response to their defeat to England and with the Czechs also losing to England, the French knew a draw against the Czechs may be all they need to progress.

GROUP FIVE, Estadio La Romareda, Zaragoza. (21:00)

NORTHERN IRELAND   (1)   1   (Armstrong 9)

HONDURAS   (1)   1   (Laing 60)

Northern Ireland: Jennings; J. Nicholl, C. Nicholl, McClelland, Donaghy; M. O’Neill (Healy), McCreery, McIlroy; Hamilton, Armstrong, Whiteside (Brotherston)

Honduras: Arzu; Gutierrez, Costly, Cruz, Villegas; Maradiaga, Zelaya, Yearwood; Betancourt, Figueroa, Norales (Laing)

Both countries had drawn their opening game and with Spain winning the night before, they knew a win here would go a long way towards securing a place in the next round.  The Irish were soon on the attack and a left-foot cross from Norman Whiteside into the area found Martin O’Neill free, but his header went over when he really should’ve done better.  10 minutes in and Ireland had a free-kick over on the left wing.  McIlroy curled it in right-footed, it hit the bar, bounced down for Chris Nicholl to head it against the bar again, where Gerry Armstrong was on hand to head the ball over the line and the Irish were in front.  Many were expecting an avalanche of goals but the Hondurans were made of sterner stuff.  Not long after, Betancourt saw his shot hit the bar of Jennings goal and bounced back out again.  Towards the end of the half, Armstrong hit the post with a shot as the Irish tried to force a 2^nd goal. 

Early in the second half, Whiteside thought he’d scored his first international goal but it was disallowed for Hamilton’s push on a defender as he headed the ball down for Whiteside.  On the hour, Honduras had a corner on the right and it was met by Betancourt whose bullet header was superbly pushed over the bar by Jennings.  The resultant corner was then headed in by Laing on the near post.  Both teams had chances to add to their tally, but it ended 1-1.  Northern Ireland would now need to get a result from their last match against the hosts.

World Cup 1982 - Day Four

DAY FOUR

Wednesday 16^th June 1982

GROUP TWO, Estadio El Molinon, Gijon. (17:15)

ALGERIA   (0)   2   (Madjer 54, Belloumi 69)

WEST GERMANY   (0)   1   (Rummenigge 68)

Algeria: Cerbah; Guendouz, Merzekane, Mansouri, Kourichi; Fergani, Belloumi, Dahleb; Assad, Madjer (Larbes), Zidane (Bensaoula)

West Germany: Schumacher; Kaltz, K-H. Forster, Stielike, Briegel; Littbarski, Dremmler, Breitner, Magath (Fischer); Rummenigge, Hrubesch

Algeria were making their first appearance in the finals and their first task was up against the mighty Germans.  West Germany were reigning European Champions, with the pedigree of having been World and European Champions in the mid-70’s.  This game was definitely a case of the Germans underestimating their opponents as they had done four years previously when Tunisia held them to a 0-0 draw in Cordoba.  After a goalless first half, the Africans grew in confidence and within 10 minutes of the turnaround, had gone in front.  They broke quickly from the back when Zidane slid a ball through to Belloumi, whose shot was partially stopped by Schumacher, and bounced kindly for Madjer to hook it over the line for the opening goal.

But the Germans didn’t panic and gradually regained control.  In the 68^th minute, Felix Magath attacked down the left and his ball into the 6-yard box was turned in by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.  But if it was expected for the Germans to run riot, the Algerians hadn’t read the script.  Almost from the re-start Salah Assad was put away down the left and his low cross was turned in by Belloumi.  The crowd, and the Algerians, went mad.  They’d pulled off the shock of the tournament, to outdo the Belgians on the first day. 

GROUP FOUR, Estadio San Mames, Bilbao. (17:15)

ENGLAND   (1)   3   (Robson 1, 67, Mariner 83)

FRANCE   (1)   1   (Soler 24)

England: Shilton; Mills, Thompson, Butcher, Sansom (Neal); Coppell, Robson, Wilkins, Rix; Francis, Mariner

France: Ettori; Bossis, Tresor, Lopez, Battiston; Larios (Tigana), Girard, Platini, Giresse; Soler, Rocheteau (Six)

Both these countries only just qualified for this tournament, and for England it was their first appearance at the finals since they were defending champions in 1970.  They couldn’t have asked for a better start when Bryan Robson scored the fastest goal in World Cup history at the time, when he ran onto Butcher’s near post flick, to hook the ball past Ettori. 

The French were stunned, but gradually came back into it.  England were without their two star players, Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking and England’s midfield struggled to deal with Platini, Giresse and Larios.  It was Larios who provided the ball over the top of the defence for Soler to fire a left foot shot past Shilton to equalise in the 24^th minute.  Level at half-time, the two teams appeared well matched as Platini tried his luck with a couple of free-kicks and Francis, Coppell and Wilkins went close for England.  But then midway through the second period, Francis crossed from the right and Robson again arrived late and unmarked to head past Ettori for his, and his team’s 2^nd goal.

This time the French didn’t come back and with 7 minutes to go Francis shot was half-stopped by Tresor but fell kindly for Paul Mariner, and he fired in England’s 3^rd, for a wonderful start to the tournament.

GROUP FIVE, Estadio Luis Casanova, Valencia. (21:00)

SPAIN   (0)   1   (Lopez-Ufarte, pen 65)

HONDURAS   (1)   1   (Zelaya 7)

Spain: Arconada; Camacho, Tendillo, Alexanco, Gordillo; Alonso, Joaquin (Sanchez), Zamora; Juanito (Saura), Satrustegui, Lopez-Ufarte

Honduras: Arzu; Gutierrez, Bulnes, Costly, Villegas; Maradiaga, Zelaya, Yearwood; Betancourt, Figueroa, Norales (Caballero)

That evening saw the first appearance of the hosts, as Spain took on Honduras in Valencia.  Honduras were playing their first ever World Cup match and were off to a tremendous start.  The Spanish defence was caught asleep as Zelaya held off Tendillo and beat Arconada for an astonishing start after only 7 minutes.  The home crowd was shocked but determined to roar their team on.

Honduras still lead at half-time as Spain missed chance after chance, although they were denied several fouls as the referee seemed to have little sympathy for the hosts.  It took until 20 minutes into the second half for Spain to finally get on level terms.  Gordillo ran down the left and his cross saw Satrustegui brought down in the area and this time the referee gave the decision Spain’s way.  Lopez Ufarte stepped up and tucked it in the corner for the equaliser.  The expected avalanche didn’t materialise from Spain as Honduras continued to offer a threat.  In the end it was a poor result for the home side, under severe pressure, but they only had themselves to blame as they missed a whole host of chances.  For Honduras they had matched Algeria for the result of the tournament so far.

After the goal-fest of yesterday, today was a day of shocks.  First timers Algeria and Honduras had joined Cameroon in putting in great performances in their World Cup debuts.

World Cup 1982 - Qualification (CONCACAF)

15 countries entered the qualifying competition and were split into three groups based on geographical regions.

NORTH AMERICAN ZONE: 3 teams who played against each other home and away.  The first and second teams progress to the next round.

CENTRAL AMERICAN ZONE: 5 teams who played against each other home and away. The first and second teams progress to the next round.

CARIBBEAN ZONE: 7 teams divided into 2 groups.  Group A had 4 teams and Group B had 3 teams.  2 teams in Group A played in the Preliminary Round against each other home and away with the winner going through to Group A.  The 3 teams in each group then play against each other on a home and away basis, with the group winners going through to the next round.

The final round is then a league system for the 6 qualifiers who play each other once with the top two in the table qualifying for the finals in Spain.  All matches were played at Tegucigalpa in Honduras in November 1981.

NORTH AMERICAN ZONE

Canada, Mexico, USA

Three of the strongest nations in CONCACAF competed in the same group to eliminate just one of them.  Firstly, Canada and Mexico drew 1-1 in Toronto on their astroturf pitch.  Stojanovic put the home side in front but Luna equalised for Mexico.

A week later in Fort Lauderdale USA and Canada played out a 0-0 draw.  It was clear a side losing a match would make their chances of progressing really difficult.  At the beginning of November 1980, Canada then beat USA, 2-1 to give them 4pts and be in a great position to qualify for the next round.  USA’s hopes of qualifying were then ruined completely when they travelled to Azteca Stadium in Mexico and were beaten 1-5.  This was a great win for Mexico and they then drew again with Canada to make it impossible for USA to go through.  USA finally got a win when they beat Mexico, 2-1 but it was too late.

QUALIFIERS: Canada, Mexico

CENTRAL AMERICAN ZONE

Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama

El Salvador was the only country from this group to have qualified for the finals when they appeared in Mexico in 1970.  Panama began by playing all their home matches between July and August 1980.  They failed to win any of them.  Guatemala won 2-0 and so did Honduras, with goals from Salvador Bernardez and Anthony Costly.  Costa Rica drew 1-1 and then El Salvador won 3-1.

In October 1980, Honduras then won in Costa Rica, 3-2 before El Salvador then beat Panama, 4-1.  It was clear Honduras and El Salvador were going to be the two best teams in this group, although Guatemala were battling.  They had two 0-0 draws against Costa Rica and Honduras.  They were then able to hold El Salvador to a goalless draw.  The first meeting between El Salvador and Honduras came in November 1980 in San Salvador.  El Salvador won 2-1 to put them in the driving seat.  A week later in the return fixture, Honduras got their own back when they won 2-0 in Tegucigalpa.  These were the only defeats either country suffered as Honduras won the group with El Salvador 2^nd.

QUALIFIERS: Honduras, El Salvador

CARIBBEAN ZONE

PRELIMINARY ROUND

Guyana and Grenada played out a Preliminary Round over 2-legs.  Guyana won both matches, 5-2 & 3-2 to go through 8-4 on aggregate.

GROUP A

Cuba, Guyana, Surinam

Cuba was the fancied team in this group and outlined their superiority by beating Surinam, 3-0 in Havana and then drawing 0-0 in the away fixture.  Surinam then beat Guyana in both their meetings but if Cuba could pick up at least 3pts from their two matches against Guyana, they would be through.  A 1-0 win in Havana secured Cuba’s progression and they confirmed things when they then won 3-0 in Guyana.

QUALIFIER: Cuba

GROUP B

Haiti, Netherlands Antilles, Trinidad and Tobago

Haiti qualified for the finals in 1974, yet was a much changed team by now.  They began in August 1980 by beating Trinidad 2-0 in Port-au-Prince.  A fortnight later, Trinidad got their own back by beating Haiti, 1-0 in San Fernando.  Haiti then bounced back with a 1-0 win over Netherlands Antilles at home.  Trinidad and Netherlands Antilles played out two 0-0 draws, to leave Trinidad and Haiti level on 4pts with the Antilles on 2pts.  The last match of the group was the Antilles at home to Haiti.  The game ended 1-1 which was all Haiti required to progress to the next round.

QUALIFIER: Haiti

FINAL ROUND

Canada, Cuba, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico

In this group were the last three representatives in World Cups from this region, El Salvador (1970), Haiti (1974) and Mexico (1970 & 1978).  All the games were played at Tegucigalpa in Honduras during November 1981.

Mexican legend, Hugo Sanchez scored two goals to help his side beat Cuba, 4-0.  The next day, Canada pulled off a shock when they beat El Salvador, 1-0 thanks to a 90^th minute goal from Stojanovic.  Honduras first outing saw them easily beat Haiti, 4-0.  Canada then lost their early advantage when they were held 1-1 by Haiti, with Stojanovic again scoring.  The big meeting between Mexico and El Salvador ended in a 1-0 win for El Salvador with Hernandez scoring the only goal in the last 10 minutes.  Two days later Honduras went to the top of the group as they beat Cuba, 2-0 with goals from David Buezo and Anthony Costly.

El Salvador then were surprisingly held 0-0 by Cuba.  Mexico were then almost beaten by Haiti but Hugo Sanchez saved their skin 3 minutes from time.  Honduras then continued their 100% record when they beat Canada, 2-1, with Caballero and Figueroa scoring.  With just two games to go, Honduras were going to be difficult to shift from top spot but all the other countries were still very much in the hunt.

Cuba, who’d yet to score in their 3 matches, finally got a goal, although it came courtesy of an own goal from Haitian defender, Frantz Mathieu.  Nunez then added a 2^nd and Cuba had their first win.  Mexico then continued their frustrating campaign by only drawing 1-1 with Canada.  Honduras and El Salvador then played out a goalless draw, ending Honduras winning record.  Honduras had now qualified for the World Cup Finals for the first time in their history.  The second place was going to be a real battle between Mexico, Canada, El Salvador and Cuba.  El Salvador were up against the weakest side, Haiti.  Cuba were to play Canada and Mexico, previously one of the favourites, probably had to beat Honduras to qualify.

First up, El Salvador beat Haiti, 1-0 with a goal from Huezo.  El Salvador had only scored 2 goals in the 5 matches in this round but had now put themselves in with a great chance of going through, although their goal difference may not be enough.

Next up was Cuba v Canada.  El Salvador’s win over Haiti meant Cuba couldn’t qualify, but a win for Canada would send them through as they’d scored more goals than El Salvador.  Cuba scored first through Nunez but then Wes McLeod equalised just into the second half.  Rodriguez then put Cuba back in front only for Bob Iarusci to bring the Canadians level again.  But the game ended 2-2 and for Canada, the heartbreak of knowing just one more goal may have got them to the finals.

So to the final match of the qualifying round, Honduras v Mexico.  Honduras was already through and any victory for Mexico would be enough to join them, as their goal difference was already superior to El Salvador.  But the Mexicans just couldn’t break through and the game ended 0-0.  Mexico only had themselves to blame by drawing too many matches.

QUALIFIERS: Honduras and El Salvador