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

 

This is the continuation, part b, of the interview with Mr. Aasan @1990qual regarding Czechoslovakia during the 1990 World Cup. This interview deals with the Preparation phase.

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 b-Preparations ahead of the World Cup:

 

Soccernostalgia Question: After the qualification phase, Michael Bilek was regarded as Czechoslovakia’s star after his two goals vs. Portugal. Can you talk about him and his performances in the qualifiers?

 

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: Michal Bílek was 23 at the start of the qualification. He was already emerging as a key figure in the Sparta team. They had just won their second successive domestic title, the fourth in five seasons, and through the benefit of hindsight, we know that they'd go on and win the next three Czechoslovakian league titles as well. Alas, they'd not make a great impact in the European club competitions, so the national team remained the main stage for domestic players to exhibit themselves. One of Bílek's strengths was that he was capable of playing in various positions. Since Vengloš was rarely shy to stir things up a bit formations wise, Bílek's versatility meant he would be shifted around from one position to another. Perhaps did he seem at his most potent when he was featuring along the left hand side in Vengloš' 3-5-2, despite the fact that he was predominantly a right-footed player? His strength probably was coming forward, as he would from time to time be exposed defensively. Despite a fairly modest size, Bílek would infrequently pop up with occasional headers such as the one which he powered home from distance during the 4-0 win over Luxembourg. He also knew how to strike a free-kick, and his total return of four qualification goals saw him top the internal charts along with Skuhravý. You mentioned his twin strike against Portugal, and the way he won it for the hosts through his free-kick in the latter stages was stunning. It was such a huge two points.

 

Photo From: Soccer International, Issue 4, April 1990

(Michal Bilek)

Soccernostalgia Question: When the World Cup draw was made, Czechoslovakia were paired with hosts Italy, Austria and USA? How did they view their chances?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: It is fair to say that they remained with an optimistic point of view regarding their chances. Vengloš' aim was the quarter-finals. He admitted in the wake of the qualification that they were not yet quite where he wanted them to be, but that they were working on their weaknesses. His emphasis was on a solid defensive, with his team being a physically, well-organized unit which was hard to break down. This would limit their attacking freedom somewhat, but he said they would continue to work on these things in the months prior to the start of the tournament. Therefore, the manager said, had they chosen a tough-looking schedule of friendlies in the run-up to the World Cup, with Spain, England and West Germany all providing opposition.

 

Soccernostalgia Question: In this new year and during the preparation phase, there was a positive atmosphere with the new freedoms. How did this new political situation affect the team? 

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: Certainly, there was. The new levels of freedom within the realms of the country gave everyone a lift, and this was something which the football select drew advantage from. In Bílek's words: "In the past I've been a little ashamed to wear my country's jersey, but at the World Cup we'll be the ambassadors of a free and democratic Czechoslovakia. We will seek to seduce and to give the world the same positive image as (the new president) Václav Havel." The midfielder's words were mirrored by assistant manager Václav Ježek, who pointed out that "after forty years of living in obscurity, we're all now trying to take in what it is like to live free." Ježek, incidentally, was the only coach at national team level never to have been a member of the communist party. This had even led to his phone being surveilled. There is little doubt that they were all appreciating their new lease of life.

 

Soccernostalgia Question: There were opposition from within the Federation as well as some players when the possibility to re-integrate Kubik and Knofilcek was discussed. Can you discuss the reasons for the antagonism towards the pair? 

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: Well, that is true, and predominantly the players' reluctance to accept the pair back into the mix stemmed from the fact that Knoflíček and Kubík had obviously not taken part in the qualification. It should also be remembered that the core of the team consisted of Sparta Prague players, and the pair which had defected had been Slavia's assets at the time. It does not sound unreasonable from the national team players' point of view that those who had worked together in order to accomplish qualification should also be the ones to test themselves at the global stage, although Knoflíček and Kubík both were of such a calibre that it would be foolish to ignore their talent. In fact, it had been Ivan Hašek who had announced in a speech to the national team squad that everyone ought to accept the pair's return. The captain was an influental man, and the squad would ultimately concord and welcome Knoflíček and Kubík back.

 

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 24 (799), June 13-19,1990

(Ivo Knofilcek)

Soccernostalgia Question: The friendly vs. England in April 1990 is historically looked upon as the match where Paul Gascoigne made England’s World Cup team. However, from a Czechoslovakian perspective, this was the match where Kubik and Knofilcek used the chance given to them to convince Venglos to gain back their place in the team. Can you talk about their performances and the rest of the team’s reaction?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: Well, it was odd to see the Czechoslovakian team so defensively ill disciplined. While they'd only conceded thrice from eight qualifiers, they failed to secure their final third of the pitch on this occasion. Admittedly, they did line up with a slightly changed outlook, with players coming in for regulars, and indeed key performers missing such as goalkeeper Jan Stejskal and libero/central midfield man Jozef Chovanec not travelling from the Netherlands. Czechoslovakia's rear guard had looked solid throughout the qualification, often in a back four. On this occasion, Vengloš had gone for five at the back, with Kocian working as a spare man behind man-markers Straka (Bull) and Kinier (Lineker). Fair to say it was no great success, and to see the experienced Straka fail to handle a novice at international level such as Steve Bull was quite odd. The latter scored two, should've had a hat-trick, and wasted even further opportunities. Straka's misery was compounded by the fact that he injured himself by landing awkwardly after a challenge, and had to come off for Kadlec. With the pair of returning players in Kubík and Knoflíček restored to the side, the management team obviously now had further assets to draw competence from. Individually, Kubík looked sound in his central role among three midfielders, always composed in possession and sound in delivery, although he did have vast spaces to cover defensively, and was a bit run ragged. Alongside him in midfield were skipper Hašek and the delicate Moravčík, and neither were particularly keen to tuck inside and aid Kubík in his attempt at controlling the engine room. The now Fiorentina man did have a couple of decent attempts at goal in the first half, as his left foot was often a threat, and he did eventually dispatch a free-kick into the back of the net for his comeback goal late on. Definitely a worthy return to the national team. As for Knoflíček, he was distinctly less visible, although he did look to make runs into either channel, often providing the more wide option for central striker Skuhravý, and it must indeed be said that he did assist the latter for the opening goal. Against strong English defenders, though, Knoflíček probably didn't hold the ball up as well as he would've hoped. He got subbed for Griga on the hour, which could well have been pre-meditated. An average performance by the wily forward. Did their return upset the team's rhythm in any way? It is difficult to assess the team's perfomance in a game which probably mattered more to the opponents in terms of English players wishing to put on a display, though Kubík's quality was there for everyone to see. Now it would be about just how Vengloš and Ježek could implement the pair to fit with the rest of the team.

 

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 24 (803), June 13-19,1990

(April 25, 1990, England 4-Czechoslovakia 2)

Soccernostalgia Question: Ahead of the World Cup, Bilek, Chovanec, Kubik and Knofilcek were the better-known Czechoslovakian players, while Tomas Skuhravy was very much under the radar. In fact, much of the talk was problems in attack where Skuhravy and Luhovy were seen as inconsistent. Is this why perhaps a striker like Knofilcek seen as a necessity?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: A World Cup squad consisted of 22 players at the time, and any team would need to bring enough strength in depth to be able to compete at the desired level. Skuhravý and Luhový were both based domestically, and although they were fine strikers, with the former particularly making a name for himself through his four goals in the qualification, it did take a whole lot to be successful at the very highest level. The way Czechoslovakia were set up to play, with a focus on being strong defensively, and perhaps relying on their strikers to try and hold the ball up in order to bring others into play, running into the channels and so on, any strong addition to the squad, such as a proven forward at international level in Knoflíček, was welcome. Add Griga to the mix, and they now looked to have four strikers who were all looking to claim a place in the starting eleven.

 

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 38, No. 7, Issue 948, February 22, 1990

(Tomas Skuhravy)

Soccernostalgia Question: When Kubik returned, he was placed on the left side of the midfield and Moravcik moved to the right. How was this tactical switch perceived during the World Cup?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: When Kubík (and Knoflíček) returned, Czechoslovakia only had two friendlies left to play until the start of the World Cup. There seemed to be a race against time for Vengloš to successfully allocate the pair into the starting eleven, so perhaps would there not necessarily be a starting berth for both once they embarked on the finals? Kubík had come into the side as the central midfielder in their 5-3-2 at Wembley, and in the final friendly, away to West Germany towards the end of May, the formation remained the same, although with Czechoslovakia able to call on all of their best players, Kubík had to make do with operating to the left of central midfielder Jozef Chovanec, with the numbers combination once again being a 5-3-2. Moravčík, on this occasion, was working up front in tandem with Skuhravý, who certainly did seem to be Vengloš' first choice up top. Knoflíček and Luhový would both come on after the break. There were various players in the squad who were capable of performing in several positions. This could also be seen as something of an asset to the Czechoslovakians, although perhaps at the same time did it mean that it was difficult for Vengloš to pinpoint his ideal starting eleven? Of course, he could also change his starting personnel around with a view to counter the opposition's strengths.

 

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 24 (799), June 13-19,1990

(Lubomir Moravcik)

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

 

For this Interview, I have the pleasure to ask questions from one of the duo that make up the fantastic website http://italia1990.com.

Mr. Aasan @1990qual took great time and interest in responding all the questions with context and detail.

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 a-World Cup Qualifiers:

Soccernostalgia Question: What was the state of Czechoslovakian Football in the Fall of 1988?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: With the highly acclaimed 1988 European Championships already history, albeit a recent one, the international footballing agenda was about to embark on the qualification for the 1990 World Cup. Czechoslovakia had failed to qualify for a major international tournament since their participation at the 1982 World Cup, when they had bowed out at the first group stage, managing two draws only, against WC debutants Kuwait and later, more respectably, France. Since the 1982 World Cup, Czechoslovakia towards the end of the European summer six years later had no remaining names from the 22 who had travelled to Spain. They had also since gone through four national team managers, with the latest being legendary former player Josef Masopust. Returning, as he had indeed been in charge of their 1982 troops, to the position was 52 year old Jozef Vengloš. He had a doctorate in physical education earned in Bratislava as far back as in 1955. At club level, no team from the domestic league had ventured beyond the quarter-finals stage in either of the three European competitions, and even that stage had only been reached twice over the course of the past five seasons. Czechoslovakia were turning into something of a European footballing mediocrity. Back at national team level, a humiliating 3-0 loss in Finland in the qualification for the 1988 Euro would have strongly limited any optimism they still harboured at that time for reaching the competition proper in West Germany. Denmark ultimately qualified at Czechoslovakia's expense. So, against this backdrop, Vengloš had needed to assemble a squad strong enough to challenge in a tough-looking qualification group for Italia '90, where they'd come up against Belgium, Portugal, and Switzerland, with Luxembourg providing the cannon fodder. Still, with two World Cup berths up for grabs, they must have considered themselves as likely candidates for participation, despite their third-rank status.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 15, April 1990

(Jozef Venglos and Vaclav Jezek)

Soccernostalgia Question: The last time Czechoslovakia had been in the World Cup had been in 1982 with Jozef Venglos as Manager. He was re-appointed in 1988 for the 1990 World Cup qualifiers. What were the expectations in a Group with Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland and Luxembourg?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: While I carefully touched on this already in reply to the previous question, I think Czechoslovakia would've felt that they were in with a shout, although they had been drawn from pot 3, behind first seeds Belgium and second seeds Portugal. While the Belgians under legendary manager Guy Thys remained favourites in what was still a fairly open group, Vengloš must have felt that they could give Portugal a run for their money with regards to finishing runners-up. Certainly, at home, whether it be in Bratislava or in Prague, Czechoslovakia would be a match for any opponent. It should also be pointed out that Vengloš was working with Václav Ježek, a well-respected 64 year old coach who had indeed been in charge of the national team during their magnificent triumph in the 1976 European Championships. For this, Ježek would later win the vote, in regards to the country's greatest manager in the 20th century. He'd won domestic championships with Sparta, and he'd worked abroad both in the Netherlands and, most recently, in Switzerland.

 

Soccernostalgia Question: His job was made harder even before the qualifiers when on July 1988, vital National team elements: Lubos Kubik and Ivo Knofilcek defected to the West during their club, Slavia Prague’s tour of West Germany. Describe the players’ status and its implication on the National Team?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: Czechoslovakia in this era had a number of good footballers. Still, in order to stand a fair chance of actually qualifying for the World Cup, Mr Vengloš would need to have available to him every talented player within the country's realm. Slavia Prague had been preparing for the upcoming domestic season in West Germany in the summer of '88, and both Knoflíček and Kubík had opted to try their luck in the West through defecting. They had both featured for Czechoslovakia in their impressive 1-0 friendly win in Copenhagen on June 1, as the Danish had been in preparation for the upcoming European Championships, with Kubík even netting the solitary goal. They were already among the more senior members of the Czechoslovakian team, as the 24 year old Kubík, a stylish midfield playmaker with a gifted left foot, earned his 19th cap in Denmark, and forward Knoflíček, 26 years of age, was winning his 26th. In losing them both for the entire qualification campaign, as they'd both be expelled from the national team for a year and a half, Vengloš would need to rethink. It is also worth noting how Czechoslovakia through 1988 only ever had those two representatives from Slavia Prague, with city rivals Sparta the chief supplier for the national team with no less than nine players turning out at country level during the course of the calendar year. Sparta had just won the league for the second campaign running. They'd go on and claim the next three Czechoslovakian first league titles, too.

 

Photo From: WC 90 - CORRIERE DELLO SPORT – GUIDA

(Lubos Kubik)

Soccernostalgia Question: Can you summarize Czechoslovakia’s qualification process for the 1988/89 season?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: I will try! Czechoslovakia got their campaign off the mark with an expected two points from their journey to Luxembourg, although the win might perhaps have been less impressive than they'd been hoping for, given the fact that the Swiss had already visited the same venue and won even more comprehensively (4-1). Their goals had come from midfield schemer Ivan Hašek and libero and team captain Jozef Chovanec. In a group totalling 20 fixtures, eight per team, Czechoslovakia would only play twice in the autumn of '88, with their next match being group favourites Belgium on home soil in Bratislava. Despite pinning their opponents back for large chunks of the game, the Czechoslovaks could not find a way past the impressive Preud'homme, and the game finished goalless in front of nearly 50 000 people in Bratislava. Still, by the turn of the calendar year, Vengloš' team found themselves atop the qualification table, with their next fixture the return leg in Belgium at the end of April. By that point, the Belgians had claimed another vital away point through levelling late in Portugal, while the Portuguese themselves had picked up a total of five points from three home ties, having defeated both Luxembourg and Switzerland in the process. This had left Czechoslovakia trailing both the Belgians and the Portuguese, so they'd have been looking to get something out of the game in Brussels. However, on the day, the Red Devils put them to the sword and won by 2-1, despite Czechoslovakia putting up a fine battle and only losing to a late Degryse strike. They also saw the return to national team action of defenders Straka and Kocian, who were by now plying their trade in the West German Bundesliga. A routine 4-0 home win over Luxembourg saw Czechoslovakia's qualification campaign back on the rails, and a 1-0 away win in Switzerland courtesy of Skuhravý's third goal in two matches saw them secure a third win in five. This meant that by the summer of 1989 they were well positioned only a point behind the Belgians, although Portugal, who had yet to play away, were just two points in their wake, with a match to spare. The crunch game came on Oct 6, with Portugal the visitors in Prague. They had completed their first two away ties of the qualification in losing comprehensively in Belgium and then vitally winning in Switzerland, so that prior to kick-off, they were both on seven points from five matches. Despite losing striker Griga to an early red card before 20 minutes of action, the hosts claimed a hugely important win by the margin of 2-1. Both goals had come courtesy of shrewd midfield man Bílek. A fourth straight qualification win subsequently followed as Switzerland were sent packing after 3-0 in Prague. Significantly, this meant Czechoslovakia were two points ahead of Portugal and with a handsome seven goals cushion before both countries' final qualifier: their head to head in Lisbon. Portugal were never going to win by the four goals demanded of them to pip the Czechoslovakians, and despite the hosts doing what they could to try and achieve that win, Stejskal's inspired performance between the sticks ultimately saw to that Czechoslovakia could return home with a scoreless draw. The point meant they were qualified for Italia '90, and only second to group winners Belgium on goals scored. It had ultimately been a very fine qualification campaign by Vengloš' squad.

 

Soccernostalgia Question: Czechoslovakia’s sweeper Jozef Chovanec became the first Czechoslovakian player under the age of 30 to transfer to a European side when he joined PSV Eindhoven in November 1988 (as a future replacement for Ronald Koeman). How was this transfer regarded at the time?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: I believe Chovanec, 28 at the time, didn't transfer to PSV until the turn of the year, as he still featured for Sparta domestically in December '88. He'd then make his debut in the Dutch league in February '89, playing alongside such greats of the game as Gerets, Vanenburg, (Ronald) Koeman and not least Romário. Any Eastern European player to make the move from behind the Iron Curtain and on to the Western European scene naturally raised some debate. Chovanec was a key man for club and country alike, and was among Vengloš' most trusted players, typically being used in the libero position. Furthermore, he was also the captain of his country, a distinction he must have held with great pride. Fellow international defenders Kocian and Straka had earlier completed their moves to West German football, so a pattern was beginning to emerge. It had only seemed reasonable that players of this calibre would move abroad once they were allowed to by the age of 28.

 

Photo From: Soccer International, Issue 4, April 1990

(Jozef Chovanec)

Soccernostalgia Question: He struggled at the club and eventually drifted into midfield and Venglos chose to place him in midfield as well. Explain this decision?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: Chovanec obviously arrived at a club which were reigning Dutch and European champions, so it was never going to be a foregone conclusion that he'd become a regular starter right away. Like any player moving from one country to another, he'd need time to adapt, both to his new surroundings and to the way PSV boss Guus Hiddink wanted him to contribute. The PSV libero role belonged to a player of Ronald Koeman's calibre, so it went without saying that Chovanec's opportunity to stake a claim for a starting berth likely lay elsewhere. He was an accomplished player on the ball, and he had fine physical attributes, and so was an adept man in the centre of the pitch. With Kocian back in the mix internationally, the now St. Pauli defender would look to occupy the national team's libero position, although for the couple of fixtures against Belgium (away) and Luxembourg (home), it had indeed been Chovanec who had got the nod for the spare man at the back job, with Kocian in the holding midfield role. They would swap roles for the remainder of the qualification, with Chovanec probably offering more quality in possession than Kocian was capable of.

 

Soccernostalgia Question: After his transfer Venglos took away the captaincy from Chovanec and made Ivan Hasek his new captain. Venglos explained that he wanted a home-based player to be the Captain. What do you think of this decision?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: The manager's decision probably rested mainly on the fact that it was far easier for him to maintain a close connection with Hašek than with Chovanec after the latter's switch abroad. The highly energetic Hašek remained a key player for club and country alike, while as we've already touched on, Chovanec would need some time in order to properly get going at his new club. Stripping the now Netherlands based player of the captaincy could surely not be seen as any form of punishment, nor should it be viewed as particularly dramatic. Chovanec would still remain key to Vengloš.

 

Soccernostalgia Question: Getting back to the two defectors, Lubos Kubik returned to Czechoslovakia and joined Italian side Fiorentina in the summer of 1989. Ivo Knofilcek would have to wait until December 1989 before joining West German side St. Pauli (18 months of inactivity). How is their action looked upon historically?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: First of all: Their story is a remarkable one. It had been Knoflíček's idea originally to defect, and as he was sharing room with Kubík on Slavia Prague's 1988 summer camp in Hannover, West Germany, he persuaded his team mate to join him. It had been Derby County in England who had wanted Knoflíček, much on the back of his two excellent goals for Czechoslovakia against Wales in qualification for the 1988 Euro. Their owner, famous media mogul Robert Maxwell, was himself of Czechoslovak origin, and had been the instigator behind the move. However, in defecting, Knoflíček and Kubík were given 18 months long bans by the football federation, and since they were without official documents, there was no way they were going to enter the UK. They spent half a year at Maxwell's holiday residence in Spain until they obtained Bolivian (!) passports, which would eventually allow them entry into the United Kingdom. Still, once there all they could do was train, and the situation was obviously a tricky one for all parties. While Kubík would return back home to Czechoslovakia for a while, Knoflíček opted to try his luck in Italy, where he had what he thought would be a stop-over with Foggia prior to a move to Juventus. However, whilst there, he was contacted by Ján Kocian, a former team mate from the national side, who was by that time playing for St. Pauli in the West German topflight. Knoflíček was inspired by their conversations, and would travel to Hamburg, looking to impress. He must have done so, as under coach Helmut Schulte he would make his debut for the club in a 2-1 home win against Borussia Monchengladbach in December. Matchwinner? Ivo Knoflíček. Kubík would end up at Fiorentina, where he made his debut at the start of the 1989/90 season, as his ban had been lifted by the FA once he'd returned to his home land. While all of this appears surreal by today's standards, it was very much a fact for players from behind the old Iron Curtain that they were only allowed to join clubs in the West after fulfilling certain criteria, of which age was probably the main one. So it is in this context that Knoflíček and Kubík must be

 

Soccernostalgia Question: The World Cup qualification coincided with the Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe. In fact, Ivan Hasek actually addressed a crowd in November during the protests. Can you give more detail?

Mr. Joachim Aasan @1990qual response: What was unfolding across Eastern Europe around this time was of such proportions, totally unprecedented, and something which obviously was of huge historical significance. The fall of communism and ultimately the break-up of the Soviet Union would have implications also for football, as clubs in Eastern Europe would no longer able to hold on to their major assets. In Czechoslovakia, their 'liberation' became known as the 'Velvet Revolution', and it took place in the second half of November '89. In an interview made by French football magazine 'Onze mondial' with Sparta Prague and the national team's midfield man Michal Bílek, the then 24 year old recollects the memorable days which would redefine the entire Eastern Europe: "We were due to play Inter Bratislava in a league match, and just prior to this students approached us and explained to us what had happened in the protests the previous day, on Nov 17, which they had organized. They asked for our support, which we did not hesitate in providing. The Inter game was called off. Subsequently, we, the Sparta players, released a press statement denouncing the abuse of the totalitarian government. On Nov 21 we joined the general strike. We marched from our stadium to downtown, flags in hand. On Wenceslas Square, our captain Ivan Hašek harangued the extatic crowd, and was received with a standing ovation. I will never forget this date, it was wonderful, totally surreal. The revolution changed my life. That day I stopped being just a footballer; I became a free man."

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

(Ivan Hasek)