Soccer Memories-Part 52- A video Interview and blog presentation with Former goalkeeper, football data analyst and writer, Mr. Daniel Campos on Marcelo Salas and his match vs. England at Wembley on February 11, 1998.

 

For this interview, I look back at Chilean striker Marcelo Salas’ memorable match vs. England at Wembley on February 11^th, 1998, with Former goalkeeper, football data analyst and writer, Mr. Daniel Campos

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This will be a blog presentation and a video interview acting as companion piece to this blog upload.

 

The Interviewees are:

1-Mr. Daniel Campos

Mr. Campos’ contact info:

Twitter: @francisfields @chileanfutbolEN

Podcast: @ltfutbolpodcast (Let’s Talk Futbol podcast show)

Instagram: @chileanfootballnews

 

 

My contact information:

on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

Marcelo Salas’ introduction to Europe: Wembley, February 11, 1998

 

Chilean Football had been somewhat off-the radar at International level for nearly a decade, when Chile were invited to face England at Wembley in February 1998.

The last World Cup participation had been in 1982 featuring Carlos Caszely in the tail end of his career along with the younger Patricio Yanez.

The failure to qualify for the 1986 World Cup was followed by a surprising runner-up finish at the 1987 Copa America, with the highlight being the (4-0) win over Brazil.

They would clash against Brazil again in 1989 as part the 1990 World Cup qualifiers.

The consequences of these ill-tempered matches against Brazil would block Chile’s path not only to the 1990 World Cup but also the 1994 edition. Chile would be banned following goalkeeper Roberto Rojas’ feigning of being hit by an object and the subsequent team walk-out in the World Cup Qualifier on September 3^rd, 1989, at Maracana.

Chile were restricted to playing in the Copa America in the 90s (including hosting the 1991 edition).

As far stars performing in Europe, the main success story was striker Ivan Zamorano. His goalscoring prowess led him to a move from Spanish side Sevilla to Real Madrid in 1992 and then to Italian Serie A side Internazionale Milano in 1996.

When the 1998 World Cup qualifiers kicked off in the Spring of 1996, another Chilean striker Marcelo Salas, nicknamed Matador, was anonymous outside of the South American continent.

The former Universidad de Chile striker joined Argentina giants River Plate in 1996 to replace the Parma-bound Hernan Crespo.

Photo From: Chile Don Balon, Edicion Chile, May 21-27, 1996

(Marcelo Salas at Universidad de Chile)

Photo From: Don Balon, ChileDon Balon, Edicion Chile, September 10-16, 1996

(Marcelo Salas at River Plate)

It would be these qualifiers that would increase his profile and attract the attention of European clubs. Due to injuries, he and Zamorano only managed to play only five times together. Nevertheless, both were crucial in helping Chile’s qualification campaign. Salas managed to score 11 goals including two hat-tricks vs. Colombia and Peru. He scored in the vital final qualifier vs. Bolivia on November 16^th, 1997 (3-0) that helped Chile qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 16 years.

He was becoming a target for European clubs and Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson had made the trip to observe him in this final qualifier.   

It was an unnecessary trip as on February 1^st, 1998, he signed for Serie A side Lazio.

In the interim, he was also elected as the 1997 South American Player of the Year by ‘El Pais’ magazine.

Photo From: World Soccer, January 1998

(Marcelo Salas)

Photo From: World Soccer, February 1998

(Marcelo Salas)

Chile went on tour in early 1998 to prepare for the World Cup. In late January, they participated in the Carlsberg Cup in Hong Kong, losing to a Hong Kong XI (1-3, on January 28) and tying Iran (1-1, losing on penalty kick shoot-out, on January 30^th).’

In February, they faced New Zealand (scoreless tie, February 4^th) and Australia (0-1 loss, February 7^th).

They were to face England at Wembley in a high profile friendly on February 11^th, 1998. The Chileans were missing the injured Zamorano.

The English were missing the likes of David Beckham, Andy Cole and Les Ferdinand. In addition, Team captain Alan Shearer was just returning from a long injury lay-off.

The respective ‘B’ sides faced one another a day before at Birmingham with Chile winning (2-1).

 

There was much hype for the main event the following day, as England’s 18-year-old Liverpool striker Michael Owen was to make his debut. However, it would be Salas’ day and he justified his recent transfer to Lazio and growing status with a memorable display.

The under-strength English side struggled against the more in-form Chilean side.

Salas took his opportunity under the spotlight and delivered.

Just before half-time, Sierra sent a long cross, Salas controlled it and immediately volleyed from just inside the box. It was a beautiful and skillful goal at one of the greatest stages of Football.

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1998

(Salas’ first goal, February 11, 1998, England 0-Chile 2)

In the 79^th minute, Salas earned a penalty kick after Sol Campbell fouled him in the box. Salas scored from the penalty kick to cap off a memorable evening.

England Manager Glenn Hoddle played down the result and expressed satisfaction with the performance of debutants Owen and Dion Dublin.

About the first goal, he said “we were very unprofessional in the way that we let them break down from our own corner and score.”

He felt on the night Chile deserved to win and that the loss may have a positive effect as it brought them down to earth.

He also stressed that this was an experimental side and performances would improve.

On the night, Chile were fitter and more fluid as they had played four matches in the past days and weeks.

Salas had introduced himself to a European crowd and was now being tipped as a star in the upcoming World Cup in France.

He would once more deliver in France and began with a two goal display vs. Italy (June 11, 1998, 2-2 tie). He would score again vs. Austria and Brazil as Chile reached the second Round.

Following the World Cup, he joined a strong Lazio side. He just missed out on the League title but did win the Cup Winners Cup in his first season.

He would be part of the Scudetto winning Lazio side in the following season.

His rest of the career in Italy was not as successful. He joined Juventus in 2001, but his stay was hampered by a serious injury and rarely featured. He would be loaned out to former clubs River Plate and Universidad de Chile, before being transferred outright to Universidad de Chile in 2006 before retiring aged 33 in 2008.

He was one of South America’s best strikers in the late 90s and early Millennium era.

It was still an era where it was possible for an unknown player to make an impact through a match and make a name for himself.

The match vs. England in February 1998 would be Salas’ signature match.

 

Photo From: British Soccer Week, Issue 618, February 18, 1998

(February 11, 1998, England 0-Chile 2)

Photo From: British Soccer Week, Issue 618, February 18, 1998

(February 11, 1998, England 0-Chile 2)

 

 Date: February 10, 1998

Competition: Friendly (Unofficial-B International)

Result: England B 1-Chile B 2

Venue: Birmingham, The Hawthorns

Attendance: 13,917

Referee: Tomasz Mikulski (Poland)

Linesmen: P.J. Joslin, R.J. Oliver (both England)

Fourth Official: N.S. Barry (England)

Kick-off time: 19:45

Goalscorers:

(England B): Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey 90

(Chile B): Manuel Neira 70, 82

Summary of goals:

0:1 (70^th minute, Chile B): From the middle, Rodrigo Valenzuela sent Neira through who advanced to score.

0:2 (82^nd minute, Chile B): Navia’s pass from the right side was struck in by Neira.

1:2 (90^th minute, England B): Huckerby’s cross from the right side was struck in by Heskey.

Lineups:

England B:

1-Kevin Pressman (Sheffield Wednesday Football Club)

2-Kieron Courtney Dyer (Ipswich Town Football Club) (14-Stephen Andrew Guppy (Leicester City Football Club) 56)

3-Jason Martin Wilcox (Blackburn Rovers Football Club) (12-James Lee Duncan ‘Jamie’ Carragher (Liverpool Football Club) 79)

4-Riccardo Scimeca (Aston Villa Football Club-Birmingham)

5-Dominic Matteo (Liverpool Football Club)

6-Martin Hall (Coventry City Football Club)

7-Darren Huckerby (Coventry City Football Club)

8-Neil Quashie (Queen's Park Rangers Football Club-London) (15-Frank James Lampard (West Ham United Football Club-London) 34)

9-Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey (Leicester City Football Club)

10-Paul Charles Merson (Middlesbrough Football Club)

11-Raymond Parlour (Arsenal Football Club-London) (16-Paul Murray (Queen's Park Rangers Football Club-London) 62)

 

Coach: Peter John Taylor

Other Substitutes:

13-Richard Ian Wright (Ipswich Town Football Club)

17-Jamie Scowcroft (Ipswich Town Football Club)

 

Team Captain: Paul Charles Merson

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Umbro

Uniform Colors: Red Shirts, White Shorts, Red Socks

 

Chile B:

12-Carlos Tejas (Club de Deportes Coquimbo Unido -Coquimbo)

2-Juan Carlos Gonzalez (Club Social y Deportivo Colo Colo-Santiago)

4-Ricardo Rojas (Corporación de Fútbol Profesional Universidad de Chile-Santiago)

14-Luis Fuentes (Club de Deportes Coquimbo Unido -Coquimbo)

5-Raúl Muñoz (Club Social y Deportivo Colo Colo-Santiago)

10-Milovan Mirocevic (Club Deportivo Universidad Católica-Santiago) (16-Paolo Vivar (Club de Deportes Cobreloa –Calama) 64)

15-Jorge Gomez (Club de Deportes Cobreloa –Calama) (19-Rafael Olarra (Corporación de Fútbol Profesional Universidad de Chile-Santiago) 56)

7-Marcelo Peña (Audax Club Sportivo Italiano) (17-Fernando Cornejo (Club Deportivo Universidad Católica-Santiago) 56)

8-Roberto Cartes (Club Deportivo Huachipato –Talcahuano) (18-Rodrigo Valenzuela (Club de Fútbol América S. A. de C. V. (Aguilas) - Ciudad de México (Mexico City) / Mexico) 71)

13-Manuel Neira (Club Social y Deportivo Colo Colo-Santiago)

22-Sebastian Rozental (Rangers Football Club –Glasgow / Scotland) (20-Reinaldo Navia (Corporación de Fútbol Profesional Universidad de Chile-Santiago) 46)

 

Coach: Gustavo Huerta

Booked: Carlos Tejas, Marcelo Peña

Other Substitutes:

1-Nelson Tapia (Club Deportivo Universidad Católica-Santiago)

 

Team Captain: -

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Reebok

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, Blue Shorts, White Socks

Date: February 11, 1998

Competition: Friendly

Result: England 0-Chile 2

Venue: London - Wembley Stadium

Attendance: 65,228

Referee: Ryszard Wojcik (Poland)

Linesmen: Krzysztof Slabik and Eugeniusz Koczar (both Poland)

Fourth Official: Tomasz Mikulski (Poland)

Kick-off time: 20:00

Goalscorers:

(England): None

(Chile): Marcelo Salas 45, 79 pen

Summary of goals:

0:1 (45^th minute, Chile): From the midfield line, on the right end, Sierra sent a long cross, Salas controlled it and immediately volleyed from just inside the box.

0:2 (79^th minute, Chile): Campbell fouled Salas in the box. Marcelo Salas scored from the ensuing penalty kick.

Lineups:

England:

1- Nigel Anthony Martyn (Leeds United Association Football Club)

2- Gary Alexander Neville (Manchester United Football Club)

3- Sulzeer Jeremiah ‘Sol’ Campbell (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club-London)

5- Anthony Alexander Adams (Arsenal Football Club-London)

6- Philip John Neville (Manchester United Football Club) (14- Graeme Pierre Le Saux (Chelsea Football Club-London) 46)

9-Dion Dublin (Coventry City Football Club)

4- David Batty (Newcastle United Football Club) (15- Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince (Liverpool Football Club) 63)

8- Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Butt (Manchester United Football Club)

7- Robert Martin Lee (Newcastle United Football Club)

10- Edward Paul ‘Teddy’ Sheringham (Manchester United Football Club) (18- Alan Shearer (Newcastle United Football Club) 63)

11-Michael James Owen (Liverpool Football Club)

 

Coach: Glenn Hoddle

Booked: Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince 85

Other Substitutes:

12-Gareth Southgate (Aston Villa Football Club-Birmingham)

13-Shaka Hislop (Newcastle United Football Club)

16-Paul John Gascoigne (Rangers Football Club -Glasgow / Scotland)

17-Steven McManaman (Liverpool Football Club)

Note:

1-First cap for Dion Dublin and Michael James Owen.

2- Michael James Owen became the youngest England player to be capped in the Century.

3-The original squad included Tim Flowers (Blackburn Rovers). He withdrew and Shaka Hislop was called up as replacement.

4-The original squad included Andy Hinchcliffe (Sheffield Wednesday), Martin Keown (Arsenal), David Beckham (Manchester United), Andy Cole (Manchester United), Les Ferdinand (Tottenham Hotspur), who had to withdraw. Dion Dublin was called up as a replacement.

5-England played without a playmaker.

 

Team Captain: Anthony Alexander Adams

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Umbro

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts, White Socks

 

 

Chile:

1-Nelson Tapia (Club Deportivo Universidad Católica-Santiago)

18-Moises Villaroel (Club de Deportes Santiago Wanderers -Valparaiso)

3-Pedro Reyes (Club Social y Deportivo Colo Colo-Santiago)

2-Ronald Fuentes (Corporación de Fútbol Profesional Universidad de Chile-Santiago)

5-Javier Margas (Club Deportivo Universidad Católica-Santiago)

4-Francisco Rojas (Club Social y Deportivo Colo Colo-Santiago)

7-Nelson Parraguez (Club Deportivo Universidad Católica-Santiago)

8-Clarence Acuna (Corporación de Fútbol Profesional Universidad de Chile-Santiago)

10-Jose Luis Sierra (Club Social y Deportivo Colo Colo-Santiago) (20-Rodrigo Valenzuela (Club de Fútbol América S. A. de C. V. (Aguilas) - Ciudad de México (Mexico City) / Mexico) 88)

21-Rodrigo Barrera (Corporación de Fútbol Profesional Universidad de Chile-Santiago) (22-Juan Carreno (Club Deportivo Huachipato –Talcahuano) 77)

11-Marcelo Salas (Club Atlético River Plate- Buenos Aires / Argentina)

 

Coach: Nelson Bonifacio Acosta (Uruguay / Nationalized Chilean)

Booked: Marcelo Salas 61

Other Substitutes:

12-Marcelo Ramirez (Club Social y Deportivo Colo Colo-Santiago)

17-Fernando Cornejo (Club Deportivo Universidad Católica-Santiago)

9-Marcelo Vega (New York/New Jersey MetroStars)

6-Pablo Galdames (Corporación de Fútbol Profesional Universidad de Chile-Santiago)

15-Sebastian Rozental (Rangers Football Club –Glasgow / Scotland)

 

Team Captain: Marcelo Salas

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Reebok

Uniform Colors: Red Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks

Note:

1-First cap for Rodrigo Valenzuela. He was the only player to take part in both the B and main International match in succeeding days.

Photo From: British Soccer Week, Issue 618, February 18, 1998

(February 10, 1998, England B 1-Chile B 2)