England’s
South American Tour of 1984
When
England embarked on its South American Tour in the Summer of 1984, the knives
had been out for quite some time for National Team Manager Bobby Robson.
For
the English, they should have been in France (and not South America) in June
1984, competing in the Euros. Instead Robson was seen as the responsible party
in their elimination against the surprising Danes. The home defeat at Wembley
in September 1983 had spelled doom for England and Robson. Of course, with
historical perspective being eliminated by the best Danish squad in history was
no cause for humiliation.
But
not for the English who had expected nothing short of qualification after a
positive showing at the 1982 World Cup.
Former
Ipswich Town Manager Bobby Robson had taken over the squad and began the
rebuilding process of the post Keegan/Brooking era.
Their
form in the new year 1984 had also left a lot to be desired. They had lost to
France (0-2) and even Wales. In the weeks prior to their Tour they had managed
a tie with Scotland (1-1) and a another rare loss at Wembley vs. USSR (0-2) on
June 2nd.
At
this point Robson was extremely unpopular as England Boss and many were openly
clamoring for the appointment of Nottingham Forest Manager Brian Clough.
Many
critics had also wanted new younger players to be tried out, as the veterans
were not delivering at the highest level.
England
had last toured South America in the summer of 1977 with a whole different
generation.
For
this Tour, they were to face Brazil, Uruguay and Chile in the space of a week.
Of
course under normal circumstances Argentina would have been one of their
opponents. But the Falklands War was in recent memory (just two years prior);
as a result this encounter had logically not been figured in the planning.
Many
England regulars were missing for various reasons for this Tour. These included
Terry Butcher, Glenn Hoddle, Viv Anderson, Trevor Francis, Paul Mariner and
Luther Blisset.
Robson
chose many young and inexperienced players to gain experience.
He
selected Mark Hateley (still a Second Division player at Portsmouth), John
Barnes, Terry Fenwick, Mike Duxburry, Mark Chamberlain, Simon Stainrod and
Clive Allen.
They
started their Tour against Brazil at Maracana on June 10th.
The
new temporary Manager Edu Antunes (Brother of Zico) had promised attacking
soccer after the defensive reign of Carlos Alberto Parreira in 1983.
However,
this squad turned out to be a poor experimental squad lacking many of the big
name players (Zico, Socrates, Falcao, Cerezo, Eder, etc..). Only Flamengo
defenders Junior and Leandro remained from the superb 1982 Tele Santana led
squad, as well as the fading veteran striker of 1978 (and 1982 reserve) Roberto
Dinamite.
Robson
decided to field a more attacking formation and chose Barnes and Chamberlain as
wingers. According to Robson: ‘I wanted some imagination’.
International
debuts were also given to Dave Watson in defense and as a second half
substitute to QPR striker Clive Allen.
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Photo
From: Official Match Programme, England v German Democratic Republic,
1984
(England
squad, June 10, 1984, Brazil 0-England 2)
|
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Photo
From: Placar, Issue 734, June 15, 1984
(Assis,
June 10, 1984, Brazil 0-England 2)
|
Brazil
began the match by attacking and had chances through Renato and Zenon to take
the lead.
Gradually
England got into the game with Bryan Robson and Ray Wilkins taking over the
midfield.
Of
course this match has entered the English Football folklore for John Barnes’
excellent solo goal. The move started just before halftime, when Hateley from
the center crossed for Barnes on the left side touchline. Barnes picked up the
ball and went on his run and scored the most famous goal of his career. So
impressive was his goal that even the local fans applauded him.
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Photo
From: Official Match Programme, England v German Democratic Republic,
1984
(Bryan
Robson and Renato, June 10, 1984, Brazil 0-England 2)
|
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, May 1990
(John
Barnes scoring his solo goal, June 10, 1984, Brazil 0-England 2)
|
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Photo
From: ondial, new series, issue 55, October 1984
(Tato,
June 10, 1984, Brazil 0-England 2)
|
With
the Brazilians not offering much in reply, England doubled the lead in the 62nd
minute. Ray Wilkins sent a cross from his own half that reached Woodcock who
laid it on for Barnes. His cross from the left side found Hateley who headed it
in.
The
match ended with the English enjoying a rare win at Rio vs. Brazil (albeit a
weakened one).
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Photo
From: Placar, Issue 734, June 15, 1984
(June
10, 1984, Brazil 0-England 2)
|
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Photo
From: Placar, Issue 734, June 15, 1984
(June
10, 1984, Brazil 0-England 2)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 65, June 1994
(Brazil
squad, June 10, 1984, Brazil 0-England 2)
|
This
match changed the lives of both goalscorers. Some feel it may have actually
affected Barnes in a negative way, as he always had to live up to this goal for
the rest of his career.
The
other goalscorer Mark Hateley earned a transfer to AC Milan out of it. Ray
Wilkins had just joined AC Milan from Manchester United. The morning after the
match, he received a phone call from AC Milan officials who wanted him to ask
Hateley about a possible trasnfer (which he did).
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Photo
From: Official Match Programme, England v German Democratic Republic,
1984
(June
10, 1984, Brazil 0-England 2)
|
 |
Photo
From: Official Match Programme, England v German Democratic Republic,
1984
(John
Barnes after scoring, June 10, 1984, Brazil 0-England 2)
|
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Photo
From: Official Match Programme, England v German Democratic Republic,
1984
(Goalscorers
John Barnes and Mark Hateley, June 10, 1984, Brazil 0-England 2)
|
Uruguay
Manager Omar Borras also watched this match from the stands.
He must have remarked that Brazil were not
that physical and prepared his tactical plans accordingly for the encounter at
Montevideo on June 13th.
The turn-out (about 40,000) was lower than
expected since there had been terrorist threats from Anti-Britain Groups.
Uruguay were without their new star Enzo
Francescolli who was not released by River Plate.
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Photo
From: World Soccer, August 1984
(Mike
Duxbury and Acosta, June 13, 1984, Uruguay 2-England 0)
|
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Photo
From: World Soccer, August 1984
(June 13, 1984, Uruguay 2-England 0) |
England started with virtually the same
lineup as the Brazil match. The only change was in attack, where Clive Allen
started in place of Woodcock.
Uruguay marked the English closer than the
Brazilians and were more physical.
Uruguay’s Daniel Martinez fouled Chamberlian
constantly during the match, while Montelongo had Barnes in check.
Uruguay took the lead in the eighth minute
after a harsh penalty decision given for a foul by Hateley on Acosta. It was
more of a 50-50 ball rather than a foul but the Referee pointed to the spot and
Acosta gave Uruguay the lead.
England striker Clive Allen, in his first
start, had a poor game and missed many chances for England.
At halftime, the hosts showed poor gamesmanship
by waiting for five extra minutes before coming back out at halftime.
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Photo
From: Official Match Programme, England v German Democratic Republic,
1984
(June
13, 1984, Uruguay 2-England 0)
|
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Photo
From: Mondial, new series, issue 65, August 1985
(Uruguay
squad, June 13, 1984, Uruguay 2-England 0)
|
In the 68th minute, Uruguay doubled its lead
through Cabrera. Montelongo crossed fron the right side, Cabrera controlled it
in the box and shot past Shilton.
Bobby
Robson described Uruguay’s attacking as the best he had seen as England
Manager.
On
July 17th at Santiago, Chile hosted England in their final match of
the Tour in front of a dismal crowd of 10,000.
England
started with the same lineup as the Uruguay match. It turned out to be a
disappointing match that England should have won but ended scoreless. Many felt
perhaps England did not exert themselves as they believed Chile to be their
weakest opponent on the Tour.
On
paper it certainly should have been, since this was essentially Chile’s Olympic
side in preparation for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
England
were generally in control but could not find a breakthrough. Chile goalkeeper
Roberto Rojas had an outstanding match and was responsible for keeping Chile in
the match (five years later he would be implicated in the scandal where he
feigned an injury against Brazil in a World Cup Qualifier/ the Firecracker
incident).
For
England, once again Wilkins and Bryan Robson stood out for their hard work in
midfield.
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Photo
From: World Soccer, June 1990
(June
17, 1984, Chile 0-England 0)
|
Chile
mostly defended and their Manager Isaac Carrasco felt this was the only way not
to be overrun by the English.
Ray
Wilkins felt if they had scored one goal, they could have gone on and scored
10. Winger Mark Chamberlain explained his poor output due to exhaustion.
At
the post -match reception England met Jorge Robledo, the Chilean star who
played for Newcastle United in the 1950s.
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Photo
From: Official Match Programme, England v German Democratic Republic,
1984
(Team
captains Bryan Robson and Alejandro Hisis, June 17, 1984, Uruguay
2-England 0)
|
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Photo
From: World Soccer, September 1984
(June
17, 1984, Chile 0-England 0)
|
Many
have looked upon this Tour as the turning point in Bobby Robson’s England
reign.
Objectively,
not much could be analyzed from England’s performances because none of the
opponents were at full strength (most notably Brazil).
Nevertheless,
the win vs. Brazil gave Robson and the Team much needed confidence, as many had
predicted that a poor showing against them would have spelled the end of
Robson’s time with England.
Robson
was able to build upon the experience of this Tour to prepare the World Cup
Qualifiers in the Fall of 1984.
England
managed to score five goals (vs. Finland) and eight goals (vs. Turkey) in their
first qualifiers to be on the driver’s seat. By the new year (1985), they had
defeated Northern Ireland at Belfast (1-0, Hateley goal) to take a commanding
lead. They would go through the qualifiers undefeated and perform in
satisfactory fashion during the 1986 World Cup (undone only by the Hand and the
Brilliance of Maradona).
The
selected squad for the South American Tour:
Goalkeepers:
Peter
Leslie Shilton (Southampton
Football Club)
Christopher
Charles Eric Woods (Norwich City Football Club)
Defenders:
Fenwick
Terence William Fenwick (Queens Park Rangers Football Club-London)
Graham
Paul Roberts (Tottenham
Hotspur Football Club-London)
Gary
Michael Stevens (Everton
Football Club-Liverpool)
David
Watson (Norwich City Football Club)
Michael
Duxburry (Manchester
United Football Club)
Kenneth
Graham Sansom (Arsenal
Football Club-London)
Midfielders
/ Strikers:
Bryan
Robson (captain)
(Manchester United Football Club)
Samuel Lee (Liverpool Football Club)
Samuel Lee (Liverpool Football Club)
Mark
Valentine Chamberlain (Stoke City Football Club)
Raymond
Colin Wilkins (Manchester United Football Club)
Simon Allan Stainrod (Queens Park Rangers
Football Club-London)
John
Charles Bryan Barnes (Watford Football Club)
David
Armstrong (Southampton Football Club)
Stephen
Kenneth Hunt
(West Bromwich Albion Football Club)
Clive
Darren Allen (Queens Park Rangers Football Club-London)
Anthony
Stewart Woodcock (Arsenal
Football Club-London)
Mark
Wayne Hateley (Portsmouth Football Club)
Coach:
Robert William Robson
The
Matches on Tour:
June
10, 1984- Rio de Janeiro - Estádio do Maracanã- Estádio
Mário Filho
Attendance : 56,000
Referee: Juan Daniel Cardelino (Uruguay)
Brazil 0-England 2 (John Barnes 43, Mark Hateley 62)
Brazil:
1-Roberto
Costa Cabral ‘Roberto Costa’
(Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama - Rio de Janeiro)
2-José ‘Leandro’ de Souza Ferreira (Clube de Regatas Flamengo- Rio de Janeiro) (21-Wladimir Rodrigues dos Santos ‘Wladimir’ (Sport Club Corinthians Paulista- São Paulo) 65)
4-José Carlos Nepomuceno ‘Mozer’ (Clube de Regatas Flamengo- Rio de Janeiro)
3-‘Ricardo’ Raimundo Gomes (Fluminense Football Club- Rio de Janeiro)
5-Leovegildo Lins Gama ‘Júnior’ (Clube de Regatas Flamengo- Rio de Janeiro)
6-José Sebastião Pires Neto ’Pires’ (Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama - Rio de Janeiro)
8-Zenon de Souza Farias ’Zenon’ (Captain) (Sport Club Corinthians Paulista- São Paulo)
10-Benedito de Assis da Silva ’Assis’ (Fluminense Football Club- Rio de Janeiro)
7-Renato Portaluppi ‘Renato Gaúcho’ (Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense)
9-Carlos Roberto de Oliveira ‘Roberto Dinamite’ (Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama - Rio de Janeiro) (19-José ‘Reinaldo’ de Lima (Clube Atlético Mineiro- Belo Horizonte) 67)
11-Carlos Alberto de Araujo Prestes ’Tato’ (Fluminense Football Club- Rio de Janeiro)
2-José ‘Leandro’ de Souza Ferreira (Clube de Regatas Flamengo- Rio de Janeiro) (21-Wladimir Rodrigues dos Santos ‘Wladimir’ (Sport Club Corinthians Paulista- São Paulo) 65)
4-José Carlos Nepomuceno ‘Mozer’ (Clube de Regatas Flamengo- Rio de Janeiro)
3-‘Ricardo’ Raimundo Gomes (Fluminense Football Club- Rio de Janeiro)
5-Leovegildo Lins Gama ‘Júnior’ (Clube de Regatas Flamengo- Rio de Janeiro)
6-José Sebastião Pires Neto ’Pires’ (Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama - Rio de Janeiro)
8-Zenon de Souza Farias ’Zenon’ (Captain) (Sport Club Corinthians Paulista- São Paulo)
10-Benedito de Assis da Silva ’Assis’ (Fluminense Football Club- Rio de Janeiro)
7-Renato Portaluppi ‘Renato Gaúcho’ (Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense)
9-Carlos Roberto de Oliveira ‘Roberto Dinamite’ (Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama - Rio de Janeiro) (19-José ‘Reinaldo’ de Lima (Clube Atlético Mineiro- Belo Horizonte) 67)
11-Carlos Alberto de Araujo Prestes ’Tato’ (Fluminense Football Club- Rio de Janeiro)
Coach:
Edu Antunes
Other
Substitutes:
22-
Paulo Victor Barbosa de Carvalho ‘Paulo Víctor’ (Fluminense Football Club- Rio de Janeiro)
14-‘Baideck’
(Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense)
18- Mílton Queiroz da Paixão ‘Tita’ (Clube de Regatas Flamengo- Rio de Janeiro)
England: 1-Peter Shilton, 2-Mike Duxburry, 3-Kenny Sansom, 5-Dave Watson, 6-Terry
Fenwick, 4-Ray Wilkins, 8-Mark Chamberlain, 7-
Bryan Robson (captain),
11- John
Barnes, 9- Mark Hateley, 10- Tony Woodcock (16-Clive Allen 76th)
Coach:
Robert William Robson
Other Substitutes: 12- Gary M. Stevens, 13- Chris Woods, 14- Sammy Lee, 15- David
Armstrong
June
13, 1984- Montevideo- Estadio Centenario
Attendance : 40,000
Referee: Lucio Gonzalez
(Paraguay)
Uruguay 2-England 0 (Luis Alberto Acosta 8 pen,
Wilmar Cabrera 68)
Uruguay:
1-Rodolfo Sergio Rodríguez (captain) (Santos Futebol Clube- Santos - São Paulo / Brazil)
4-Néstor Montelongo (Club Atlético
Peñarol Montevideo) (14-Carlos Eduardo Vázquez (Club Atlético Bella Vista-
Montevideo) 70)
2-Nelson Daniel Gutiérrez Luongo (Club Atlético Peñarol Montevideo)
3-Eduardo Mario Acevedo Cardozo (Defensor Sporting Club
Montevideo)
6-Daniel Martínez (Danubio Futbol Club Montevideo)
5-Miguel Angel Bossio Bastianini (Club Atlético
Peñarol Montevideo)
9-Wilmar Rubens Cabrera Sappa (Club
Deportivo Los Millonarios- Santafé de Bogotá / Colombia)
8-Ricardo Javier Perdomo Moreira (Club Nacional de Football
Montevideo)
7-Carlos Alberto Aguilera Nova (Club Nacional de Football
Montevideo)
10-Juan Ramón Carrasco (Club Nacional de
Football Montevideo) (16-José Luis
Zalazar Rodriguez (Club Atlético Peñarol Montevideo) 81st)
11-Luis Alberto Acosta Rodriguez (Montevideo Wanderers
Football Club) (18-Ruben Sosa Ardaiz (Danubio Futbol Club Montevideo) 61st)
Coach: Omar Borras
June
17, 1984- Santiago -Estadio Nacional
Attendance : 9,900
Referee: Luiz Felix (Brazil)
Chile 0-England 0
Chile:
Roberto
Antonio Rojas (Club Social y Deportivo Colo Colo-Santiago)
Hugo
Tabilo (Club de Deportes Cobreloa
–Calama)
Manuel
Araya (Club de Deportes Cobresal
-El Salvador)
Eduardo
Gómez (Club de Deportes Cobreloa
–Calama)
Luis
Hormazábal (Club Social y Deportivo Colo Colo-Santiago)
Juan Soto Quintana (Club Deportes Naval de
Talcahuano) (Luis Rodríguez (Corporación de Fútbol Profesional Universidad
de Chile-Santiago) 35)
Alejandro
Hisis (Club Social y Deportivo Colo Colo-Santiago)
Claudio
Toro (Club Deportivo Magallanes-Santiago) (Eduardo Gino Cofré (Club de Deportes Santiago Wanderers -Valparaiso) 56)
Jorge Aravena (Club Deportivo Universidad
Católica-Santiago)
Luis
Venegas (Club Deportivo Magallanes-Santiago)
Juan
Covarrubias (Club de Deportes Cobreloa
–Calama) (Héctor Puebla (Club de Deportes Cobreloa –Calama) 66)
Coach:
Luis Ibarra
England: 1-Peter Shilton, 2-Mike Duxburry, 3-Kenny Sansom, 5-Dave Watson, 6-Terry
Fenwick, 4-Ray Wilkins, 8-Mark Chamberlain (Sammy Lee 74th), 7- Bryan Robson (captain), 11- John Barnes, 9- Mark
Hateley, 10- Clive Allen
References:
World Soccer, July 1984 (’Maracana upset brings
Robson breathing space’ By Jonathan Shallard and Eric Weil)
England,
The Complete Post-War Record, Author Mike Payne
World Soccer, August 1984 (‘England Stronger after
South American Tour’ By Brian Glanville)
World Soccer, August 1984 (‘Three Poor Games but
Uruguay happy with win’ By Eric Weil)
Placar,
Issue 734, June 15, 1984
Three Lions on the
Shirt, Author : Dave Bowler
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