World Cup Stories-Part Two (Czechoslovakia at the 1990 World Cup-part c World Cup Finals)- an Interview with Mr. Joachim Aasan of @1990qual, http://italia1990.com)

This is the continuation, part c, of the interview with Mr. Aasan @1990qual regarding Czechoslovakia during the 1990 World Cup. This interview covers the Finals of the World Cup.

The Interview will be divided in three parts, part a (World Cup Qualifiers), part b (Preparations ahead of the World Cup) and part c (World Cup Finals)

Questions and Analysis: 

 

The Interviewee is:

Mr. Joachim Aasan

Mr. Aasan’s contact info:

On Twitter: @1990qual

Website: http://italia1990.com

Part c-World Cup Finals:

 

Soccernostalgia Question: At the World Cup, how do you summarize Czechoslovakia’s match vs. USA?

 

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: Well, Czechoslovakia did come into the game as most people's favourites, though it should be added that the American team was still a bit of an unknown quantity. While this had been the first time in 40 years that they had actually qualified for the World Cup, they were looking to host it in four years' time, and so were hoping to leave a decent print on this tournament. And they certainly didn't look shy in the early stages, with the Czechoslovakian players probably somewhat nervous. It took the best part of the opening quarter of an hour before the favourites started to impose themselves, although they were by no means in anything near free flow by the time they opened the scoring around 25 minutes in. They exploited gaps in the US defence, and Skuhravý easily slotted past Meola from Moravčík's pass for the opening goal. It became increasingly easier for the Czechoslovakians, who had regained their composure by then, and they were interchanging positions and looking comfortable on the ball in their 3-4-3 formation. Three men at the back was indeed by now being Vengloš prefered choice. Against inferior opposition, they could allow to push their wide men higher up the pitch than they had during the qualification, when they had looked distinctly more a 5-3-2 unit on the occasions when they'd opted for three centre-halves. Five minutes from the half time whistle, they increased their lead through reigning Czechoslovakia player of the year, Michal Bílek. The left sided man converted from the spot after US skipper Windischmann had fouled his counterpart Hašek. If the first half had ended on a bit of a sour note for the Americans, then the early proceedings of the second half were hardly favouring them. Skuhravý almost scored from an impossible angle, and from the subsequent corner, Hašek headed home relatively unguarded at the near post for 3-0. With the game barely resumed, USA were reduced to ten men following an off-the-ball incident where Swiss referee Röthlisberger claimed that 21 year old Eric Wynalda had punched Moravčík in the back of the head. It all becomes a bit too comfortable for Czechoslovakia, who switch off at times. They see the ten men pull a goal back through Caligiuri on the counter, and USA could've made it 3-2 through Ramos and really made a fight out of it. That would've been harsh on Czechoslovakia, though, who were always a couple of levels better. The near post corner routine worked a treat again as Chovanec' ball in from the right found Skuhravý, who got above Meola to notch his second, and well into time added on, substitute Luhový, the domestic league's leading scorer for the past couple of seasons, toe-poked home following a quick break upfield. An impressive scoreline in the end for Czechoslovakia, albeit only one which described the expected gulf in class between the two teams. Bílek could even afford to attempt a failed replica of his fellow countryman Panenka's penalty from the 1976 European Championships with the scoreline 4-1 already by the time captain Hašek won his second spot-kick of the game.

 

Photo From: Soccer International, Volume 1, Issue 8, August 1990

(Match vs. USA)

Soccernostalgia Question: For the next match vs. Austria, Czechoslovakia grinded out a win with a penalty kick. How do you see this match?

 

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: After their expected loss against the Italians, coupled with Czechoslovakia's rout against USA, Austria must have felt uneasy coming into this crunch game, which was expected to decide which team would follow the host nation through to the knockout phase. Vengloš had made a forced change to his starting eleven, with the injured Straka being replaced by tall Sparta Prague man Václav Němeček. Although the latter was predominantly seen as a midfielder, he would slot into the defensive position left vacant by Straka's absence. They continued in the 3-4-3 formation which had served them so well in the opening fixture, though it would soon become apparent that Skuhravý, who had enjoyed a field day against America's Steve Trittschuh, would not have it all his way against the physical figure of Austria's centre-back Robert Pecl. Still, Czechoslovakia remained on the front foot for large parts of the opening half, and only an Ernst Aigner clearance on the goalline had prevented Moravčík from opening the scoring. Czechoslovakia would win their third penalty of the competition as Chovanec ran on to Pfeffer's dreadful backpass, as the midfielder was felled by goalkeeper Klaus Lindenberger. He injured himself in the process and was stretchered off, later seen with a big bandage around his right thigh. Bílek, who had scored one and then seen another penalty saved in their opening day win, dispatched this one comfortably into the bottom left corner for 1-0 on the half hour. Július Bielik came on for the stricken Chovanec, something which meant that Hašek moved into the centre alongside Kubík, with the substitute taking up the captain's former position along the right. With Austria posing next to no goalthreat during the opening half, the 1-0 half-time lead was a thoroughly deserved one. The second half is quite a different proposition to the first, with Austria spending large portions of it camped inside the Czechoslovakian half of the pitch. They'd made a double substitution during the interval, and brought on forward Andy Ogris to play in the wide right position for Kurt Russ, while Peter Schöttel had been replaced by Michael Streiter. This saw Pfeffer move into the heart of the defence, with Streiter taking the left-back position. Czechoslovakia were quite content to sit back and try to hit the Austrians on the counter, and they were probably the more threatening in front of goal, with Hašek slicing a header well wide and Moravčík testing Lindenberger's mettle with a powerful first time effort. Down the other end, Stejskal didn't have too much to do, with the Czechoslovakian defence marshalling Polster and Rodax. There were some cynical fouls, and four players saw yellow in the final 45 minutes, with Kubík being one of them. This meant he was out of the final group stage game against the host nation, and with Chovanec also possibly missing following what looked like a thigh injury, Vengloš could well have to compose an entirely new midfield. Czechoslovakia just about deserved their win, since the Austrians posed little goal threat despite their superiority in possession. They were already through with the Italians from Group A.

Photo From: Soccer International, Volume 1, Issue 8, August 1990

(Diagram of Baggio’s goal vs. Czechoslovakia and Chovanec being fouled by Lindenberger for the penalty vs. Austria)

Soccernostalgia Question: For this match vs. Austria, made a tactical switch that confused Austrian manager Josef Hickersberger. Straka had played vs. USA but when he didn’t start against the Austrians, Hickersberger was convinced that Kinier would start in his place. He was surprised to see Nemecek (a defensive midfielder) deployed as the man-marker of Rodax, while Kadlec marked Polster. Do you know more about this decision?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: I'm not sure I agree with that view, as Czechoslovakia's formation remained the same, it was just a player in for another. As Straka didn't feature again until the knockout phase of the tournament, it is highly likely he had picked up a knock in the opening game or during training. Němeček did indeed come in at centre-half, and went about his task very professionally, rarely allowing the opposition any pockets in which to manoeuvre. Kinier had played at centre-half in Czechoslovakia's build-up to the World Cup, when he'd kept Gary Lineker away from the goal charts during their 4-2 loss at Wembley, though he'd not even made the substitutes' bench for their opening two fixtures in Italy.

 

Photo From: World Soccer, February 1990

(Frantisek Straka and Lubomir Vlk)

Soccernostalgia Question: In a match remembered for Roberto Baggio’s brilliant goal, Czechoslovakia, already qualified, were unperturbed in the loss against the Italian hosts. How do you see this performance?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: It should be remembered that Czechoslovakia came into this game without three key performers: Kocian, Straka and the suspended Kubík were all out. Chovanec had made a quick recovery, and was back in his central midfield position, while Kinier stepped into the defensive line with no Kocian in sight. Weiss took over for Kubík, and he did indeed slot straight into the Italy based midfield ace's position, and he proved to be quite an agile and mobile alternative to the man whom he replaced. Yet, he didn't have Kubík's passing ability and the same level of composure or even physical prowess. At the back, Kadlec took over as the spare man, with Kinier marking Schillaci, and Němeček trying his utmost to track Baggio's movements. The latter was appearing for the first time in the World Cup, and was intent on putting on a display. Czechoslovakia twice had Stejskal to thank for saves from the little eel. Italy were slick, they were direct, and they at times ran their opponents ragged. It was a very fine first half performance from the Azzurri, and their one goal lead courtesy of Schillaci's tenth minute header, was even scant reward for the way they had portrayed themselves. Czechoslovakia's only attempt goalwards came in first half injury time from Bílek's free-kick from just outside the area. Zenga, the extravagant goalkeeper, wasn't duly worried. Vengloš, on the other hand, should be for the amount of times his defence were sliced open. Czechoslovakia lost 2-0, but it had probably not mattered a whole lot in the end, although they would have felt hard done by in having a perfectly good goal taken away from them by a poor combined decision from the linesman (Marcel van Langenhove) and the referee. Italy had been rampant for the first hour, and then after that were probably just a tad more measured in their approach. The hosts still carried too much for the Czechoslovakians, who had earlier been very fortunate to not have been awarded a penalty against, following Skuhravý's tackle on the excellent Schillaci. Had the referee's cancelling out of Griga's goal been something of a compensation for that? Němeček had been replaced by Bielik at the interval, since Baggio had enjoyed a field day against the tall Sparta Prague man, with only Stejskal standing between the Italians and a bigger lead. Moravčík had moved into central midfield for the second half, with Weiss switching to a forward position, although he remained flexible in his approach until he was taken off for Stanislav Griga on the hour. The powerful striker's headed goal from Skuhravý's cushioned pass had occured with the score still 1-0 to the hosts, and after that there was not a whole lot Czechoslovakia could muster. Certainly not after falling further behind courtesy of that famous Baggio goal. Griga again came the nearest with a half volley on the turn from Skuhravý's flick-on, though his shot went just over the bar. Round of 16 next.

 

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1990

(Matches vs. Italy and Austria)

Soccernostalgia Question: In the second round, Skuhravy temporarily became World Cup’s top goalscorer with a hat-trick of headers vs. Costa Rica. Was this the match that made him a star at the global stage?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: While it would be easy to reply a quick 'yes' to that question, I think there were certainly more factors involved. It wasn't as if a 24 year old Skuhravý was a nobody prior to the round of 16 win, as he had been Czechoslovakia's leading goalscorer in the qualification (along with Bílek, both with four goals), and he had also presented himself during the trouncing of the Americans in the opening tie. Not only had Skuhravý netted twice then, but he'd had numerous efforts off target. He did arrive at quite a few opportunities, and seemed to benefit from Knoflíček's runs into the channels to draw the attention of opposing defenders away slightly. Having said that, it must be added that Skuhravý was a huge presence with his physique, and he was so difficult to defeat in the air. Four of his five World Cup goals had come from headers.

 

Photo From: Soccer International, Volume 1, Issue 8, August 1990

(Match vs. Costa Rica)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 21, October 1990

(Tomas Skuhravy scoring vs. Costa Rica)

Soccernostalgia Question: In the quarterfinals, Czechoslovakia went out against the eventual Champions West Germany with a penalty kick. In a match remembered for three header goal line clearances by Czechoslovakia. They had really come against a much stronger team. How do you assess this match?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: It must have been with a level of trepidation that the Czechoslovaks entered the San Siro pitch against the increasingly strong title favourites. The West Germans had probably been the most impressive side until that point in the competition, but on the back of a fine win in their previous game, Vengloš' team certainly were going to try and make a match out of it. They were once again able to field what looked to be their strongest line-up, and it turned out they took to the pitch in that 5-3-2 formation with which the world was becoming familiar by then (since the Italy game). An early Bílek free-kick which drew a save from Illgner apart, Czechoslovakia were not really in the game during the opening half. West Germany were completely dominant, and due to some cynical fouling, three Czechoslovaks saw yellow during the opening 45 mins in Moravčík, Bílek and Straka. Even if they tried to play it tough, the opposition remained unfazed, and deservedly went ahead from the spot 24 mins in. Czechoslovakia just couldn't stop the West German tidal waves from washing over them, and Hašek twice had to make goalline saves. West Germany went through with just that goal from the spot, although they did work Stejskal a good few times also during the final 45 minutes. They were also denied a second spot kick when the 'keeper looked to have clipped Uwe Bein's feet. Bílek was taken off for Němeček with the second half just beyond its halfway stage, though merely a minute later Moravčík earned himself his second yellow having kicked his boot off in frustration at not winning a corner off Littbarski. The ten men of Czechoslovakia did raise their game, though, as the West Germans were less reluctant to committing players forward, although they never came any closer than Němeček did when the substitute all of a sudden found himself through, but totally caught by surprise he couldn't get a proper shot away. Griga had come on for Kubík with ten mins left, though even a third forward didn't make much of a change, as Czechoslovakia failed to test Illgner at all. Despite Beckenbauer looking a tad frustrated towards the end, it was ultimately quite comfortable for the West Germans. The Czechoslovakians were out.

 

Photo From: Soccer International, Volume 1, Issue 8, August 1990

(Match vs. West Germany)

Soccernostalgia Question: This match against West Germany is also remembered for Lubomir Moravcik being sent off. In anger he kicked in the air and his shoe flew off. Was this one of the more indelible images of the World Cup (perhaps parodied since)?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: Probably. Although it probably also caught even the Czechoslovak himself by surprise, as it didn't look like he had actually meant to do it. The boot was probably just loose after he'd tussled with Littbarski, and what could well just have been meant as a 'kick through thin air', accidentally turned out to be one which bereft his team of the eleventh man at a crucial point in the game. As he'd already been booked, though, the referee really didn't have any other choice but to dish out the red.

 

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1990

(Match vs. West Germany)

Soccernostalgia Question: How did Venglos judge the team’s performances in the World Cup?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: With great pride. He said it was a performance which the people of Czechoslovakia would remember for a long time. They had at times excited the audience with some intricate football, and it had been viewed as a 'successful operation of seduction' (quote: Onze Mondial). They had been well organized and had revealed some excellent individuals to the watching masses. The manager's aim prior to the World Cup had been to reach the quarter-finals stage, so he had reached his objective.

 

Soccernostalgia Question: Given his pre-Tournament billing, how did Michael Bilek acquit himself in this World Cup? He appears to have slowly disappeared from contention afterwards?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: Bílek had begun brightly enough with those penalty goals against both USA and Austria, in addition to also having missed his attempted 'Panenka' against the Americans, though he rarely proved to be much of a threat coming forward from that left-sided defensive role of his. Bílek's World Cup never really reached the next level after the early promise, and the role was possibly not best designed for him, as he might've prefered a more advanced original base.

 

Soccernostalgia Question: Clearly Tomas Skuhravy was the main beneficiary of this World Cup, can you describe his trajectory afterwards?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: Skuhravý was signed by Genoa right in the wake of the World Cup, and the Serie A club had struggled for goals during their 1989/90 campaign, scoring only 27 in 34 to finish elventh. With Skuhravý in town, as the big striker would play alongside Uruguayan forward Carlos Aguilera, the team would finish an impressive fourth at the end of the 1990/91 season. Both the Czechoslovakian and the Latin American would round the campaign off with 15 league goals to their names, and it remains Genoa's best topflight season in the history of the club. They progressed to the semi-finals stage of the UEFA Cup the following season, where they were knocked out by later winners Ajax, although the team would struggle to recreate the league form from the previous season. Skuhravý remained with the club for five seasons, as they eventually got relegated to Serie B after the 94/95 term. Sporting Lisbon was his new destination, but due to injuries, he only played a meagre four league matches for them during the 1995/96 season, not even getting his name on the scoresheet once. He rounded his career off only 30 years of age.

 

Soccernostalgia Question: Can you describe the trajectory of others such as Hasek, Kadlec and Moravcik in the immediate afterwards?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: Ivan Hašek: 26 years at Italia '90. An energetic wide midfielder who in many ways epitomized this Czechoslovakian team. Got himself on the scoresheet in the opening trouncing of USA, and remained an effective player for the team throughout their World Cup campaign. He was courted by French second tier club Strasbourg during the tournament, and thanks to the recent revolution, he was free to venture abroad as he pleased. He signed up for the club right on the German border, and remained there for three and a half seasons. The first two were in Ligue Deux, until Strasbourg won promotion to the topflight ahead of the 92/93 campaign. He did struggle with injuries during his time in France, and never really reached his potential. He subsequently moved on to Japanese football, where he played two seasons for Sanfrecce Hiroshima and then one season for United Ichihara. Coming into his 33rd year, he returned home to see his career out at Sparta Prague. Hašek played 55 times for Czechoslovakia, and also won a solitary cap for the Czech Republic in 1994 before retiring from the international stage. He went on to work as a coach for many a year, and most recently held the position as Lebanon's national team manager. Miroslav Kadlec: Turned 26 during Italia '90. Signed up for Kaiserslautern in the German Bundesliga after the tournament, and indeed went on to win the title in his first season. Kaiserslautern were a force domestically in the first half of the 90s, and they then finished runners-up to Bayern Munich in 93/94, a single point behind. Kadlec later experienced a relegation and then a straight return back to the top division. He stayed on at Kaiserslautern for eight years, and aged 34 he opted to sign for Drnovice back home in the Czech Republic. He saw out three seasons with them, and then played his final season with Brno before eventually retiring close to 38 years old. Kadlec won 38 caps for Czechoslovakia, and then a further 26 for the new republic. He did not carve out a managerial career for himself after finishing playing. Ľubomír Moravčík: Turned 25 at Italia '90. Hailed from Plastika of Nitra in what is today Slovakia, and joined the well reputed Saint-Étienne club in the French first division after the World Cup. He stayed there for six years, living a mid-table existence for the first four, and then scrapped to avoid relegation in his final two seasons there. Moravčík did in fact get relegated in his final season with the club, something which prompted a switch to Bastia. They were by then established in Ligue Un, and would qualify for participation in the Intertoto Cup following both his seasons with them. A move to the German Bundesliga followed, although he would just stay on with Duisburg for a few months before being snapped up by his old supremo from Italia '90: Vengloš was by then in charge of Celtic, and he had no qualms about taking the 33 year old on. While Vengloš' tenure in Glasgow was a brief one, as he left the managerial post after just the one season (he did remain at the club in an advisory capacity for some time), Moravčík stayed on for four years, becoming a hero among the Parkhead fans, winning the league title in his final two seasons. The player himself also felt the club as something special, and would later claim that this was the most exciting era of his career. He took up coaching after a brief spell in Japanese football as a 37 year old, although he didn't particularly distinguish himself. He made a total of 42 appearances for Czechoslovakia and a further 37 with Slovakia.

 

 

Soccernostalgia Question: In closing, historically, how is this World Cup regarded for Czechoslovakia? (Coincidentaly, the last before the break-up)

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: Their best efforts had obviously come in '34 and in '62, when they'd gone all the way to the final, where they'd lost against hosts Italy and to Brazil respectively. Still, in this modern era, their performance at Italia '90 was obviously their best achievement in what was their eighth appearance in a World Cup altogether. Their previous one had come in 1982, when they'd failed to win either of the three first stage matches which they played. Czechoslovakia also had a pedigree at the European Championships, having won the competition in 1976. They were certainly a fine footballing nation with a solid history behind them. And, as we know, Italia '90 turned out to be Czechoslovakia's final ever competition as a nation.

To round off, I've decided to throw in some highly personal assessments of some of Czechoslovakia's players, namely those who started at least four out of their five matches. This is hardly a forensic report, so please do not think of this as something of an objective truth. To underline the simplicity factor, I've decided to split the candidates into a mere three categories. Czechoslovakia had 17 players who received game time during the 1990 World Cup. Eight of these started all five matches, while a further two started four times. These are the players I've categorized. This at the same time means that I've taken 'the easy way out' in regards to Straka, as he just fell short of being assessed, having started three matches. Němeček (two starts) and Weiss (one start) were the only other players in either of the five starting line-ups.

 

Good: Stejskal, Kadlec, Hašek and Skuhravý Comments: Their 'keeper oozed confidence throughout the tournament. Excellent shot-stopping, but also with fine aerial reach, and didn't look out of place when coming to claim high balls. Kadlec was Mr Reliable at the heart of their defence, even though some might remember him for being one of the players whom Baggio tricked on his way to _that_ goal. Hašek was their bundle of energy throughout, and would typically put the team's interests before his own. A totally committed player. Skuhravý, in open play, would not have made this category, but his five goals alone earned him a place. Excelled against USA and Costa Rica, but found his match in Pecl of Austria, and was also tamed by Italy and West Germany.

 

Photo From: Soccer International, Issue 4, April 1990

(Jan Stejskal)

Acceptable: Kocian, Chovanec, Moravčík Comments: Czechoslovakia's defence got stretched when they came up against world class opposition. Not that that in itself was an embarrassment, but one did perhaps harbour even greater hopes that they would be able to compose themselves to a higher degree. Chovanec as the central midfielder with the greater defensive responsibility did perhaps not always do enough, and could at times look a bit one-paced, even if he did assist three times from right wing corners. A lack of pace was probably something which could be used against Kocian as well, and the libero rarely ventured forward, rather leaving that to Kadlec. As for Moravčík, he didn't do a whole lot above the ordinary, and there might have been some confusion regarding which was actually his best position: wide or inside right?

Disappointing: Bílek, Kubík, Knoflíček Comments: While Bílek did score twice, both from the penalty spot, he was something of a disappointment in open play. He remained with quite a defensive focus throughout the tournament, only really excelling against the Americans. Kubík had a lot of the right attributes in order to succeed in a playmaking role in the centre of the pitch, but really looked slow and languid for most of the time at Italia '90. As for Knoflíček, he probably did work according to instructions from the management team with his relentless thrusts down the channels, though as a goal threat he remained impotent. Far from an impressive tournament for the former pair of defectees.

 

The previous verdict raises the question: Could Czechoslovakia possibly have fared even better had Kubík and Knoflíček not returned in time for the World Cup? Personally, I do not think so. A quarter-final was an excellent achievement, and despite being second best for most of the game against the World Cup winners in spe, they left the tournament on a positive note. They had got as far as the manager had wanted prior to the competition, and they had displayed some neat attacking football along the way. While Kubík and Knoflíček did perhaps not reach their peaks at Italia '90, they'd have been replaced by players of a lesser stature, and it is unlikely that they would've made it beyond the last eight anyway. Whether they dampened some of the team spirit from the qualification or not, we can only speculate.