Trivia and Facts-Part 10

1-Dutchman Ernie Brandts is the only player to have scored for both teams in World Cup Finals.

On June 21, 1978 vs. Italy (won 2-1 by the Dutch), he scored and own goal in favor of Italy in the first half.

He redeemed himself in the second half by scoring Holland’s equalizer with a long-range shot.

Photo From : Onze, July 1978

(Ernie Brandts and Roberto Bettega, June 21, 1978, World Cup Holland 2-Italy 1)

2- Silvio Berlusconi’s AC Milan acquired Argentinean Claudio Borghi after his displays for Argentinos Juniors in their Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup run in 1985.

At the time, many predicted that he would be the next great superstar and much was expected of him during the 1986 World Cup.

Since AC Milan already had its foreign player limit in 1986 (Englishmen Ray Wilkins and Mark Hateley) and 1987 (Dutchmen Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten), Borghi was loaned to Serie A club Como.

After the limit was raised to three in 1988, Berlusconi wanted to integrate Borghi in the team. However, AC Milan manager Arrigo Sacchi insisted about Dutchman Frank Rijkaard.

Sacchi was strengthened with the Scudetto win and therefore Berlusconi relented.

Many years later, in an interview, Berlusconi tried to claim credit for having the idea of having 3 Dutchman in the same team.

Football writer Brian Glanville correctly pointed out this error in his column.

Borghi is the current manager of Chile.

Photo From : Calcio 2000, February 2001

(Claudio Borghi and Antonio Cabrini, June 5, 1986, World Cup , Italy 1-Argentina 1)

Photo From : Calcio 2000, November 1998

(Frank Rijkaard in action for AC Milan, 1989/90 season)

3-Of all the European teams that qualified for the 1982 World Cup Finals in Spain, England had the worst record of all in the qualifiers.

Their total tally of 9 points (which included 3 losses) was even less than some teams that did not even qualify (ten points for Wales and Republic of Ireland).

Ironically after the qualifiers, they went on an impressive unbeaten streak and were eliminated from the World Cup having been unbeaten and concede only one goal.

Photo from: Onze, Hors Serie 12, 1982

(Paul Mariner in action for England vs. Hungary, June 6, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Hungary 1-England 3)

4- German manager Berti Vogts once claimed that he was so unpopular as a coach, that if he walked on water, his detractors would complain that he couldn’t even swim.



Photo from: World Soccer, March 1996



 5-Trevor Francis, as manager of Queens Park Rangers, in 1989 suspended and fined one of his players, Martin Allen, for leaving the team hotel and going to his wife’s side while she was in hospital in labor.

Francis later apologized and admitted he was wrong at the time.

Photo from: Onze, April 1980

(Trevor Francis as a player for Nottingham Forest)