1- Asgeir
Sigurvinsson
Icelandic
midfielder Asgeir Sigurvinsson was one of the first successful exports from his
country to make it in the Professional Western Leagues. He had a long spell in
the Belgian League with Standard Liege in the 1970s, which led to a transfer to
the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich. After one season there, he had a very
successful spell at Stuttgart in the 80s for the rest of his career.
Unfortunately,
Iceland were unable to qualify for the Finals of any Tournament during his
playing days.
 |
Photo
From: Fussball Magazin, Issue 6, June 1986
(Asgeir Sigurvinsson at Stuttgart,
1985/86) |
2- Andrei
Kanchelskis
Ukrainian-Born
midfielder Andrei Kanchelskis made his International debut during the last
years of the Soviet Union, which led to a transfer to Manchester United in
1991.
After
the break-up of USSR, he felt his International prospects were better with
Russia with the 1994 World Cup approaching. However, after qualification, he
was one of the rebels who opposed the Russian Manager Pavel Sadyrin, as a
result he missed the chance to participate in the 1994 World Cup. Russia also
missed the 1998 World Cup after a play-off loss vs. Italy and Kanchelskis
missed his last chance to play in a World Cup.
 |
Photo
From: The Game, Issue 3, June 1995
(Andrei Kanchelskis at Manchester United,
1994/95) |
3- Julien
Cools
Belgian
midfielder Julien Cools was a standout in the 1970s with Club Brugge, with whom
he won Three League titles with them. Unfortunately, Belgium were unable to
qualify for any World Cups (1974, 1978), when he was at his peak.
 |
Photo
From: Onze, Issue 28, April 1978
(Julien
Cools at Club Brugge)
|
4- Franck
Sauzee
French
midfielder (and also defender) Franck Sauzee was a pillar in Michel Platini’s
France squad of the late 80s and early 90s that was rebuilding following the
retirements of Platini himself, Giresse, etc. He won League titles and the
Champions League with Olympique Marseille in those years. His best opportunity
would have been the 1994 World Cup, however, the French missed out after a
heartbreaking loss to Bulgaria in the last minute. After this loss, he retired
from the National Team.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 27, April 1991
(Franck
Sauzee, November 17, 1990, EC Qualifier, Albania 0-France 1)
|
5- Heinz
Herrmann
Swiss
midfielder Heinz Herrmann was a mainstay of the National Team for over a decade
(1978/91) and earned more than a century of caps in the process.
However,
the Swiss were unable to qualify for any Finals in that period and by the time
of the 1994 World Cup, he was close to retirement and out of International
reckoning.
 |
Photo
From: Mondial, new series, Issue 91, October 1987
(Heinz
Hermann)
|
