Soccernostalgia Question:Let’s
start of by discussing the winner Paolo Rossi, was this is a fully deserved win
or was it regarded as controversial at the time?
Mr. Robert Fielder @ademir2zResponse: I think at the time it was seen as less
controversial than it potentially is now. As well as the Ballon d’Or, Rossi
also won the inaugural World Soccer player of the year and the Onze d’Or. He
was top scorer at the 1982 World Cup and also named as the best player of the
tournament. From 26 jurors, he was named 1st by 21 of them and in the top three
by another three. So he was streets ahead of his rivals in the voting and on
that basis it’s one of the clearest victories we have seen.
Mr. Paul Whittle
@1888letter Response: I think any other winner
would have been controversial!
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1916, December 28,
1982
Soccernostalgia Question:Briefly,
describe the merits of the winner Paolo Rossi and the main reason the player
won?
Mr. Robert Fielder @ademir2zResponse: Quite simply, he won because of the World
Cup. His hat-trick against Brazil in Barcelona, double against Poland in the
semi-final and important goal in the final against West Germany were decisive
in transforming Italy from an underwhelming side in the first group stage to
world champions. Rossi arguably didn’t play as well, goals aside, as he did in
1978, but he turned up when it really mattered. In particular his performance
against Brazil in the 3-2 victory (one of the greatest World Cup matches of all
time) was an exceptionally clinical one.
Mr. Paul Whittle
@1888letter Response: His outstanding
performances and decisive goals in the closing stages of the Spain World Cup
meant it would be difficult to look elsewhere.
Soccernostalgia Question: Playing
devil’s advocate, what would be the legitimate arguments against his selection?
Mr. Robert Fielder @ademir2zResponse: Returning from his ban for conspiring in a
match-fixing scandal, he had only played three times for Juventus in Serie A
and only scored one goal in the 1981-2 season. So, I think there is quite a
fair argument that he simply didn’t play enough football in the time period to
be the winner of such an important prize. Even in the World Cup he started the
tournament, like the whole Italy side, very slowly. He really had two
particularly good games.
Mr. Paul Whittle
@1888letter Response: The lack of club football
(while his ban expired) in the first half of the year, and the fact that he was
then part of an Italian side which was immediately underperforming after the
World Cup in Euro 84 qualification.
Soccernostalgia Question: Let’s
discuss the top 5 (1-Rossi, 2-Giresse, 3-Boniek, 4-Conti, 5-Rummenigge). How do
you assess this list and were there any surprises?
Mr. Robert Fielder @ademir2zResponse: Putting Rossi to one side, I think it’s a
pretty good reflection of the Europeans who played well at the World Cup.
Boniek was a particular star and someone who was less well known prior to the
finals but ended up as a major player.
Mr. Paul Whittle
@1888letter Response: I
think it’s a fair selection, no real surprise and only the order might have
changed as there’s probably not much to choose between them.
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1916, December 28,
1982
Soccernostalgia Question: From
the top 5 selections, which one please you the most?
Mr. Robert Fielder @ademir2zResponse: I’m a big admirer of Alain Giresse so it’s
nice to see him included in the list. Playing with someone as great as Michel
Platini, he was sometimes overshadowed but was technically excellent, gritty
but full of guile and craft and it’s quite an accolade for the diminutive
Frenchman.
Mr. Paul Whittle
@1888letter Response: It’s
nice to see two of the World Cup’s most creative players in Giresse and Conti
were recognised, for more than just goalscoring.
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1916, December 28,
1982
Soccernostalgia Question: Any
notable omissions in the top 5 (or top 10)?
Mr. Robert Fielder @ademir2zResponse: Of the players who received any votes I
might have expected Platini to be higher up. He had as good a World Cup as some
of those more highly rated and was coming off the back off an excellent final
season in France. Really though what was notable was the almost total exclusion
of players who hadn’t performed well at the World Cup. Kevin Keegan arguably
enjoyed his best club season, scoring 26 for Southampton and ending as the
First Division top scorer. Ruud Krol had a terrific season with Napoli but
neither earned a single vote in the Ballon d’Or. Of those eligible and who
played well at the World Cup, Lato is an omission. He was one of the best
players of the tournament. He might not have scored the goals he got in 1974
but his performances were consistently very good and he had a good combination
with Boniek.
Mr. Paul Whittle
@1888letter Response: I
see there were no English selections at all, despite providing the European Cup
winners and going unbeaten at the World Cup! Kevin Keegan was still scoring
goals and had he played more in Spain, I imagine would have made the list.
Bryan Robson would have been the other English possibility. From the Football
League champions Liverpool, Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness probably missed
out due to Scotland’s early World Cup exit, and a young Ian Rush could also
have featured with more international exposure. For France, it’s a little
surprising that Amoros and Tigana were overlooked.
Soccernostalgia Question: Any
player who should have received more votes than they received (For myself, Tardelli
only one fifth place vote)?
Mr. Robert Fielder @ademir2zResponse: Scirea was coming off the back of a great
club season with Juventus and was outstanding at the World Cup. How he only got
one vote, I’m not sure because he was an outstanding player. I agree with
Tardelli as well as he was arguably Italy’s most consistent performer
throughout the World Cup.
Mr. Paul Whittle
@1888letter Response: Scirea
and Tardelli might have expected more votes on their World Cup showings alone,
and maybe suffered from the Italy nominations being ‘shared out’.
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1916, December 28,
1982
Soccernostalgia Question: Which
players benefited from the World Cup and which ones were recognized for their
performance during the entire calendar year?
Mr. Robert Fielder @ademir2zResponse: Really almost all of the top players were
selected on their World Cup showings exclusively. In 1982 it seemed like the
World Cup was the only show in town.
Mr. Paul Whittle
@1888letter Response: The
World Cup obviously dominated these selections, when there was relatively
little television coverage outside the major European competitions. On that
basis Bernd Schuster and Torbjörn Nilsson were chosen on club performances.
Soccernostalgia Question: Let’s
analyze the previous winner Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. What counted against him
this year?
Mr. Robert Fielder @ademir2zResponse: Although he made it to the final and
scored five goals, I’m not sure Rummenigge was quite at his physical peak in
this World Cup. His domestic season with Bayern Munich wasn’t as strong as some
of his previous ones and the Bavarians were also beaten in the European Cup
final by Aston Villa.
Mr. Paul Whittle
@1888letter Response: Again,
the fact that he was not fully fit for the closing stages of the World Cup –
despite his goals – and possibly Bayern’s loss to Aston Villa in the European
Cup Final. Still a very good player but not quite at his best in the biggest
games this year.
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1916, December 28,
1982
Soccernostalgia Question: If
the voting had been open to non-Europeans at the time, who would have been the
main beneficiaries(s)?
Mr. Robert Fielder @ademir2zResponse: Even though they lost 3-2 to Italy, most
observers came away from the 1982 with very fond memories of Brazil. Had they
been eligible I think Paulo Roberto Falcao, who also played extremely well for
Roma, and Zico would have been major contenders, perhaps not for the top spot
but in terms of the top 5. That team played some great football and either
would have been a worthy winner. Maradona had a bit of a hit and miss
tournament in comparison, so I don’t think he’d have been among the leading
players for this year. Of the Argentines Daniel Passarella was probably the
best player in Spain.
Mr. Paul Whittle
@1888letter Response: I
would have thought that Falcão would
have been very high up in the rankings, not only for his World Cup performances
but also his influence on Roma (who would win the 1982/83 scudetto).
As an outside choice, maybe Thomas N’Kono, whose World Cup for Cameroon earned
him a move to Europe with Espanyol in La Liga.
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1916, December 28,
1982
Soccernostalgia Question: Let’s
discuss the jurors, which were the most interesting votes from a correspondent?
Mr. Robert Fielder @ademir2zResponse: Probably the choice of Torbjorn Nilsson by
the Danish juror. He had enjoyed a great time with IFK Gothenburg who had won
the UEFA Cup, beating Valencia, Kaiserlautern and Hamburg on their way to the
title. He had ended up as the top scorer in the tournament and earned a move to
the Bundesliga as a result. The selections of Eric Gerets and Walter Schachner
were also a little more unusual though both were merited. Gerets was one of the
best full-backs at the World Cup and Schachner had played very well with Cesena
in Serie A.
Mr. Paul Whittle
@1888letter Response: Austria’s
had Rummenigge second and Breitner fifth, that seems almost as suspicious as
the game in Gijón! Bulgaria’s placing Schuster second and Denmark’s placing Rinat
Dasaev also second are quite generous votes.
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1916, December 28,
1982
Soccernostalgia Question: What
were the most unbelievable or baffling selection from a juror?
Mr. Robert Fielder @ademir2zResponse: By and large this was a year in which
jurors stuck to familiar names who had done well at the World Cup. Even Dermot
Ashmore, the Irish juror who often went off piste, played it straight with his
choices. Probably the most unusual was the choice of Bernd Schuster by the
Bulgarian juror Nicolas Ignatieff. Schuster had only played 13 times in the
league for Barcelona and hadn’t featured at the World Cup.
Mr. Paul Whittle
@1888letter Response: Turkey’s
found room for two Austrians...
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1916, December 28,
1982
Soccernostalgia Question: In
closing, what is the legacy of Paolo Rossi’s selection as Ballon d’Or, how is
it regarded after all these years?
Mr. Robert Fielder @ademir2zResponse: I think in the modern era, where we get to
see so much of top players and the Champions League has taken on so much
importance, it’s hard to look back and understand someone being named the best
player in Europe by virtue of three great World Cup games. For Rossi it ensured
immortality in the football pantheon but it’s hard to entirely subscribe to
that in retrospect. Ultimately, Rossi did extremely well for Italy but only
scored 82 goals in total in Serie A, thanks in part to all the disruption
caused by his earlier ban. Had there been a broader focus, with more TV
coverage of the top leagues and the World Cup taking less of the attention,
someone else might have won.
Mr. Paul Whittle
@1888letter Response: This
year – specifically the World Cup – cemented his reputation as one of the great
strikers. It’s impossible to think of that summer in Spain without his goals
coming to mind and the Ballon d’Or was a fitting reward.
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1916, December 28,
1982
Guy
Thys had been appointed as Belgium Manager in 1976 replacing Raymond Goethals
with the task of rebuilding the National side.
Although
he was unable to achieve World Cup qualification for the 1978 Edition, Thys did
manage to help Belgium qualify for the 1980 UEFA European Championships. They
became the surprise of that Tournament by reaching the Final and only losing to
West Germany.
Photo
From: Foot Magazine, March 1982
(Belgium
Manager Guy Thys)
Thys’
masterstroke had been to convince veteran Wilfried van Moer to come out of
International retirement in 1979.
His
guidance and organizing skills were helpful in the team’s improvement. Thys’
tactics (4-4-2) revolved around the offside trap in a defense consisting of
eccentric goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff and the Standard Liege trio of Eric
Gerets, Walter Meeuws and Michel Renquin.
The
other key elements of the squad were Rene vandereycken and Ludo Coeck in
midfield and the twin strike force of Jan Ceulemans (Club Brugge) and (the
1979/80 Soulier d’Or) Erwin vandenbergh of SK Liesre.
Despite
their strong showing in the 1980 Euros, the Belgians road to World Cup 1982
qualification seemed difficult.
They
were grouped with eternal rivals Holland, the emerging France led by Michel
Platini and the Republic of Ireland. Cyprus rounded out the group as the
weakest team.
Holland
had blocked Belgium’s path to the World Cup for the previous two editions
(1974, 1978), but Holland were now in a decline and no longer the power they
had been in the 70s.
Belgium’s
World Cup qualifiers started in Dublin vs. the Republic of Ireland on October
15th, 1980.
Despite
being the away team, Belgium were in general control of the match and took the
lead in the 13th minute. Erwin vandenbergh’s pass was headed by van
Moer towards Cluytens, who forced Gerry Peyton wide and scored from a narrow
angle.
Just
before halftime, Ireland’s star Liam Brady set up Grealish for an equalizer.
Belgium
held on for the rest of the match and earned a valuable away point against one
of the Group rivals.
Michel
De Wolf made his debut for Belgium as a late substitute for Luc Millecamps.
Photo From: Onze, Issue 70, October 1981
(Rene Vandereycken and Liam Brady, October 15, 1980, World Cup Qualifier, Republic of Ireland 1-Belgium 1)
Photo From: Onze, Issue 59, November 1980
(Albert Cluytens scoring, October 15, 1980, World Cup Qualifier, Republic of Ireland 1-Belgium 1)
Photo From: Onze, Issue 59, November 1980
(Team captains, October 15, 1980, World Cup
Qualifier, Republic of Ireland 1-Belgium 1)
Photo From: Onze, Issue
62, February 1981
(Belgium squad, Top, left to right: Luc
Millecamps, Walter Meeuws,Jean-Marie
Pfaff, Ludo Coeck,Erwin Vandenbergh,Rene Vandereycken ,
Bottom, left to right:Albert
Cluytens, Wilfred van Moer, Eric Gerets,Michel Renquin, Jan Ceulemans, October 15, 1980, World Cup Qualifier,
Republic of Ireland 1-Belgium 1)
Photo From: Mondial, New
series, issue 8, November 1980
(Chris
Hughton and Albert Cluytens, October 15, 1980, World Cup Qualifier, Republic of
Ireland 1-Belgium 1)
The
following month on November 19th, 1980, the Belgians hosted their
Dutch rivals in Brussels.
The
match was only settled by a penalty kick in the 48th minute. The
spot kick had been awarded after Willy van der Kerkhof had fouled Rene
vandereycken in the box and vandenbergh scored the winner.
It
had been a violent and physical match riddled with fouls and bookings (Gerets
and van Moer for Belgium and Hovenkamp and Peters for Holland).
It
was reported that Belgium defender Michel Renquin even lost a tooth.
The
unfortunate Renquin stated after the match that he hoped qualification would
already have been achieved by the following year when they travel to Rotterdam
as he feared an even worse reception.
The
win had been a psychological and confidence-boosting victory, as the Dutch jinx
appeared to be over.
Photo From: Onze, Issue 70, October 1981
(November 19, 1980, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium
1-Holland 0)
Photo From: Rode Duivels & Oranje
Leeuwen., 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen, Authors Ralf Willems, Matty
Verkamman, 2001
(November 19, 1980, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 1-Holland 0)
Photo From: Onze, Issue 61, January 1981
(Jan Ceulemans, November 19, 1980, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium
1-Holland 0)
Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 12, 1982
(Albert Cluytens, November 19, 1980, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium
1-Holland 0)
Belgium
rounded out the year with a predictable win over Cyprus on December 21st,
1980 at Nicosia with goals by vandenbergh and Ceulemans (2-0).
Belgium
were missing Renquin and Coeck did not start. In their place, Gerald Plessers
and Raymond Mommens made their debuts in the qualifiers.
In
the new year (1981) Belgium featured a new kit made by Admiral. Their first
match with the new jerseys was once again vs. Cyprus at Brussels on February 18th,
1981.
Belgium
had been expected to give Cyprus a beating at home but were met with surprising
resistance from the Cypriots. The absence of van Moer due to injury would
hamper Belgium. They took a quick (2-0) lead through goals by Plessers and
vandenbergh. Just before halftime, Stefanos Lyssandrou pulled a goal
back for Cyprus and in the 60th minute, Fivos Vrahimis tied the match.
Jan Ceulemans scored the winner in the 67th minute
to give Belgium a narow (3-2) win.
Photo From:
Kicker_Wm-Sonderheft_1982
(Belgium
squad, Top, left to right:Jean-Marie
Pfaff ,Albert Cluytens,Jan
Ceulemans,Erwin Vandenbergh,Ludo Coeck, Rene Vandereycken
, Bottom, left to
right: Michel
Renquin,Willy Wellens,Raymond Mommens, Eric Gerets,Gerard Plessers , February 18, 1981, World Cup
Qualifier,Belgium 3-Cyprus 2)
Photo From: 82 – Coop
(Erwin vandenbergh, February 18, 1981, World Cup Qualifier,Belgium 3-Cyprus 2)
Photo From: Mondial, New series, issue 13, April 1981
(Albert Cluytens, February 18, 1981, World Cup Qualifier,Belgium 3-Cyprus 2)
On
March 25th, 1981, Belgium hosted Republic of Ireland at Brussels in
a match played under heavy rain.
In
addition to the injured van Moer, Belgium were missing suspended goalkeeper
Pfaff. Michel Preud’homme started for Belgium in only his second International
match.
Belgium
were better but won (1-0) with the refereeing decisions under scrutiny.
Raul Joaquim Fernandes Nazarre , the Portuguese Referee,
ruled out a seemingly valid Irish goal.
Liam
Brady, on a free kick, had crossed for Frank Stapelton who scored. However, the
goal was ruled out because on the play, the Referee had backed into a Belgian
player who had fallen.
Nazarre did not give a reason afterwards as to why he had
invalidated the goal but it was assumed it was because of the foul (by himself)
on the Belgian player.
The
Belgians scored the winner under controversial circumstances in the 87th
minute. Eric Gerets clearly dived to earn a free kick outside of the box. René
vandereycken’s free kick struck the bar and went up in the air and Ceulemans
climbed over players to head in the winner (1-0).
After the final whistle, Irish Manager Eion Hand
confronted the Referee and later described him as “a disgrace and cheat”. Many
observers felt a draw would have been a fair result. In any case Belgium were
now on the driver’s seat and took leadership of the Group for the first time.
They had earned 9 out of 10 points with four wins and a tie in five matches.
Photo
From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer
(Belgium squad, Top, left to right: Rene
Vandereycken ,Erwin Vandenbergh,
Walter Meeuws,Michel Preud’Homme,Luc Millecamps , Bottom, left to right: Ludo Coeck ,Michel Renquin,Eric Gerets, Raymond Mommens, Albert Cluytens, Jan Ceulemans , March 25, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 1-Republic of
Ireland 0)
Photo From: Foot Magazine,
Issue 2, May 1981
(Belgium’s goal, March 25, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 1-Republic of Ireland 0)
Photo From: Mondial, New series, issue 14, May 1981
(Rene Vandereycken and Liam Brady, March 25, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 1-Republic of Ireland 0)
On
April 29th, 1981, France hosted Belgium in Paris. France were
missing the injured midfield duo of Michel Platini and Jean-Francois
Larios.
Belgium were still missing the suspended Pfaff and
van Moer had just returned from injury and was from fit.
In
addition Cluytens and vandereycken appeared tired as the match wore on.
For
France Manager Michel Hidalgo, this was life or death match for France who
desperately needed a result.
The
Belgians took the lead in the 5th minute. From the left side,
Vercauteren sent in a long cross that was volleyed in by vandenbergh (very
similar to the goal that he would score the following year vs. Argentina in the
World Cup 1982 opening Match).
France
tied the match in the 14th minute. Bernard Genghini’s free kick
struck the cross bar and Gerard Soler headed in the rebound.
Just
a few minutes later, in the 17th minute, Belgium were further
weakened with the injury and the substitution of Luc Millecamps.
From
the opening minute, the Belgian defender had been fouling Dominique Rocheteau,
who in turn had fouled him back. Millecamps was replaced with De Wolf, earning
his second cap (once again as a substitute).
Photo
From: Foot Magazine, Issue 3, June 1981
(April 29, 1981, World Cup Qualifier,
France 3-Belgium 2)
Photo
From: Foot Magazine, Issue 3, June 1981
(April 29, 1981, World Cup Qualifier,
France 3-Belgium 2)
Photo
From: Foot Magazine, Issue 3, June 1981
(Team captains Christian Lopez and Wilfred van
Moer, April 29, 1981, World
Cup Qualifier, France 3-Belgium 2)
In
the 26th minute, France took the lead. Tigana passed to Rocheteau in
the right wing who crossed for Didier Six to tap home.
In
the 31st minute, France scored the third goal. Tigana sent Soler
through, whose shot from a narrow angle struck Preud’homme before going in.
Belgium
scored another goal, early in the second half. In the 52nd minute,
van Moer lobbed a ball in the box for Ceulemans, who trapped and headed up and
shot past Dropsy. They were some appeals for offside but the goal stood.
Belgium
would also lose Vercauteren to injury in the 65th minute (replaced
by Rene Verheyn).
Wilfried
van Moer’s poor form was called into question as Belgium lost for the first
time in the qualifiers. However, Thys defended van Moer against critics and
emphasized his importance.
Photo
From: Onze, Issue 65, May 1981
(April 29, 1981, World Cup Qualifier,
France 3-Belgium 2)
Photo
From: Mondial, new series, issue 15, June 1981
(Wilfred
van Moer and Bernard Genghini, April 29, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, France 3-Belgium 2)
Photo
From: Foot Magazine, Issue 3, June 1981
(Alain
Giresse and Wilfred van Moer, April 29, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, France 3-Belgium 2)
The
Belgians were to host the French in Brussels on September 9th, 1981.
Thys
had insisted that they would win their ticket for the World Cup in Brussels and
not in Rotterdam (the following month).
For Thys the situations had been reversed from the
match in April. Now they had to win while France would be satisfied with a tie.
France had Platini back in the lineup and Hidalgo
would surprisingly line him up as a striker. Hidalgo had also decided to start
with the debutant Pierrick
Hiard as goalkeeepr (ahead of Dominique Dropsy) and Phillipe
Mahut also earned his debut in defense as stopper.
France were also weakened by the absences of
Tigana and Rocheteau.
Belgium had Pfaff back in the lineup, but were
missing Eric Gerets in defense. Marc Baecke was called up as a repalcement.
In the summer, Michel Renquin had left Standard
Liege and joined Anderlecht. However, he was struggling at his new club, but
Thys kept faith with him and started him.
Thys also gave a debut to Antwerp forward Alexandre Czerniatynski.
Thys placed Ceulemans in a more withdrawn position
to act as a constant pressure on the French defense. This seemed to confuse the
French defense and the French also appareaed ill at ease with Belgium’s offside
trap tactics.
Photo
From: Foot Magazine,
Issue 9, January 1982
(Franie Vercauteren, September 9, 1981, World
Cup Qualifier, Belgium 2-France 0)
Photo
From: Onze, Hors Serie
13, 1982
(September
9, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 2-France 0)
Photo
From: Sport Illustrierte
(Belgium squad, September 9, 1981, World Cup
Qualifier, Belgium 2-France 0)
Belgium
took the lead in the 24th minute. Vercauteren’s crossed from the
left and the debutant Czerniatynski tapped in from close range.
Belgium
sealed the win in the 83rd minute. Czerniatynski‘s cross from the
left found van Moer at the edge of the box. He laid it on for vandenbergh to
score from outside the box.
Belgium
earned its first World Cup qualification since 1970 with the win and became the
first European Nation (apart from hosts Spain) to qualify for the Finals.
After
this match van Moer stated that he was retiring now that Belgium had qualified.
Photo
From: Onze, Hors Serie
13, 1982
(September
9, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 2-France 0)
Photo
From: Mondial, new
series, issue 58, January 1985
(Yannick
Stopyra and Luc Millecamps, September 9, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium
2-France 0)
Photo
From: Mondial, new
series, issue 19, October 1981
(Erwin
vandenbergh and Christian Lopez, September 9, 1981, World Cup Qualifier,
Belgium 2-France 0)
Photo
From: Mondial, New
Series, Hors Serie 13, 1982
(Erwin
vandenbergh, September 9, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 2-France 0)
The
final qualifier vs. Holland on October 14th, 1981 at Rotterdam was
now a formality and only mattered for the Dutch who still had a slim chance to
qualify (though ultimately unsuccessful).
The
Dutch called up Johann Neeskens from New York Cosmos for this important match
and started with Hans van Breukelen in goal (deputizing for the off-form Piet
Schrijvers).
Surprisingly
Kees Rijvers, the Dutch Manager, did not call up Belgian based players such as
Simon Tahamata, Johnny Dusbaba and Arie Haan.
Eric
Gerets was back in for Belgium and Captain as van Moer had ‘retired.’
Other
key players such as Coeck, vandenbergh and Ceulemans were also rested.
Marc
Millecamps (brother of Luc) was selected as van Moer’s replacement.
Edouard
Snelders was also given a debut and Czerniatynski and Voordeckers started
upfront.
The
Dutch with more at stake attacked from the start and took the lead in the 5th
minute through Johnny Metgod.
Cees
Van Kooten doubled the lead in the 26th minute.
Belgium
were further weakened with the sending off of Walter Meeuws in the 39th
minute (his second booking) following a foul on Metgod.
Rene
vandereycken moved to cover his position. The Dutch scored their third in the
54th minute through Ruud Geels for a resounding (3-0) win.
Photo
From: Rode Duivels & Oranje Leeuwen., 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen,
Authors Ralf Willems, Matty Verkamman
(Michel
Renquin and Johann Neeskens, October 14, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Holland 3-Belgium 0)
Photo
From: World Soccer , March 1982
(Johnny
Rep and Alex Czerniatinski, October 14, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Holland 3-Belgium 0)
Photo
From: de Internationals, de Historie van Oranje, Authors Matty Verkamman, Henri
van der Steen, John Volkers
(Ruud
Geels celebrating, October
14, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Holland 3-Belgium 0)
Photo
From: World Soccer , December 1981
(Belgium squad, October 14, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Holland 3-Belgium 0)
Thys
had more or less a settled squad with only the retirement of van Moer to
contend with. He had wanted to integrate Anderlecht’s Spanish-born star Juan
Lozano as a prospective replacement, but his naturalization process did not
come through and Thys would be forced to recall the 37-year-old van Moer for
the World Cup.
Rene
vandereycken would also be lost to injury just prior to departure to Spain.
Belgium
would surprise most observers in the World Cup after defeating defending
Champions Argentina in the opener with a vandenbergh strike.
They
would qualify for the second round in a group containing Hungary and El
Salvador in addition to Argentina.
In
the second round, they would succumb to a Zbigniew Boniek hat trick in a loss
(0-3) to Poland, followed by a loss to USSR (0-1).
In
this second round, they were without Pfaff, who had been suspended by Thys due
to his antics, but that is another story.
11- Jan Ceulemans(Club Brugge Koninklijke
Vereniging)
Coach:
Guy Thys
Other
Substitutes:
12- Michel Preud’Homme (Royal Standard de Liege)
15-
Raymond Mommens (Koninklijke Sporting Club Lokeren)
16-Eddy Voordeckers (Royal Standard de Liege)
Team
Captain:Wilfred van Moer
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas
Uniform
Colors: Red Shirts, Black Shorts, Yellow
Socks
Photo From: Onze, Issue 69, September 1981
(October 15, 1980, World Cup Qualifier, Republic of Ireland 1-Belgium 1)
Photo From: Ireland, The Quest for the World Cup, Author Clive Leatherdale
(Liam Brady and Wilfred
van Moer, October 15, 1980,
World Cup Qualifier, Republic of Ireland 1-Belgium 1)
Photo From: Ireland on the Ball, Author Donal Cullen
(October 15, 1980, World Cup Qualifier, Republic of Ireland 1-Belgium 1)
Photo From: Onze, Issue 69, September 1981
(Liam Brady, October 15, 1980, World Cup Qualifier, Republic of Ireland
1-Belgium 1)
Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 12, 1982
(Belgium
squad, Top, left to right: Luc Millecamps, Walter Meeuws,Jean-Marie Pfaff, Ludo Coeck,Erwin Vandenbergh,Rene Vandereycken ,
Bottom, left to right:Albert
Cluytens, Wilfred van Moer, Eric Gerets,Michel
Renquin, Jan Ceulemans,
October 15, 1980, World Cup Qualifier, Republic of Ireland 1-Belgium 1)
Photo From: Foot Magazine, Issue 2, May 1981
(Belgium squad, Top, left to right: Luc
Millecamps, Walter Meeuws,Jean-Marie
Pfaff, Ludo Coeck,Erwin Vandenbergh,Rene Vandereycken ,
Bottom, left to right:Albert
Cluytens, Wilfred van Moer, Eric Gerets,Michel Renquin, Jan Ceulemans, October 15, 1980, World Cup Qualifier,
Republic of Ireland 1-Belgium 1)
Table
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Republic
of Ireland
3
2
1
0
6
4
2
5
2
France
1
1
0
0
7
0
7
2
3
Belgium
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
4
Holland
1
0
0
1
1
2
-1
0
5
Cyprus
2
0
0
2
2
10
-8
0
October
28, 1980 (Paris, France 2-Republic of
Ireland 0)
Table
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Republic
of Ireland
4
2
1
1
6
6
0
5
2
France
2
2
0
0
9
0
9
4
3
Belgium
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
4
Holland
1
0
0
1
1
2
-1
0
5
Cyprus
2
0
0
2
2
10
-8
0
November
19, 1980 (Dublin, Republic of Ireland
6-Cyprus 0)
Date: November 19, 1980
Competition: FIFA World Cup
Qualifier-UEFA-Group 2
Result: Belgium 1-Holland 0
Venue: Bruxelles-Stade du
Heysel (Brussels- Heizelstadion)
11- Jan Ceulemans(Club Brugge Koninklijke
Vereniging)
Coach:
Guy Thys
Booked:
Eric Gerets, Wilfred Van Moer
Other
Substitutes:
12- Michel Preud’Homme (Royal Standard de Liege)
13- Michel De Wolf (Racing
White Daring Molenbeek)
14-
Raymond Mommens (Koninklijke Sporting Club Lokeren)
15-Eddy Voordeckers (Royal Standard de Liege)
16- Willy Wellens (Royal Standard de Liege)
Team
Captain:Wilfred van Moer
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas
Uniform
Colors: Red Shirts, Black Shorts, Yellow
Socks
Holland:
1-Willem
Petrus ‘Pim’ Doesburg (Philips Sports Vereniging Eindhoven)
2-Huibertus Johannes Nicolaas ‘Ben’ Wijnstekers (Feyenoord
Rotterdam) (14-Johannes Antonius Bernardus ‘John’
Metgod (AZ
(Alkmaar Zaanstreek) '67 -Alkmaar) 26th)
5-Rudolf
Jozef ‘Ruud’ Krol (Societa Sportiva Calcio Napoli / Italy)
3-Ernestus
Wilhelmus Johannes ‘Ernie’ Brandts (Philips Sports Vereniging Eindhoven)
4-Hugo
Harmanus Hovenkamp (AZ (Alkmaar Zaanstreek) '67 -Alkmaar)
8-Johannes
Wilhelmus ‘Jan’ Peters (AZ (Alkmaar Zaanstreek) '67
-Alkmaar)
7-Wilhelmus
Antonius ‘Willy’ van de Kerkhof (Philips Sports Vereniging
Eindhoven)
6-Michaël
Antonius Bernardus ‘Michel’ van de Korput (Torino Calcio 1906 / Italy)
11-Simon
Melkianus Tahamata (Royal Standard de Liege /
Belgium)
10-Cornelis Thomas Henri Maria ‘Pier’ Tol (AZ (Alkmaar Zaanstreek) '67
-Alkmaar) (12-Reinier
Lambertus ‘René’ van de Kerkhof (Philips Sports Vereniging Eindhoven) 30th)
9-Cornelis
'Kees' Kist (AZ
(Alkmaar Zaanstreek) '67 -Alkmaar)
Coach:
Jan Zwartkruis
Booked:
Hugo Hovenkamp, Jan Peters
Other
Substitutes:
Johannes
Franciscus ‘Hans’ van Breukelen (Football Club Utrecht)
Ronald
Spelbos (AZ
(Alkmaar Zaanstreek) '67 -Alkmaar)
Petrus
Heinrich Gerardus ‘Pierre’ Vermeulen (Feyenoord Rotterdam)
Team
Captain: Ruud Krol
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas
Uniform
Colors: Orange Shirts, White Shorts,
Orange Socks
Photo From: Rode Duivels & Oranje
Leeuwen., 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen, Authors Ralf Willems, Matty
Verkamman, 2001
(November 19, 1980, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 1-Holland 0)
Photo From: Rode Duivels & Oranje
Leeuwen., 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen, Authors Ralf Willems, Matty
Verkamman, 2001
(November 19, 1980, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 1-Holland 0)
Table
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Republic
of Ireland
5
3
1
1
12
6
6
7
2
France
2
2
0
0
9
0
9
4
3
Belgium
2
1
1
0
2
1
0
3
4
Holland
2
0
0
2
1
3
-2
0
5
Cyprus
3
0
0
3
2
16
-14
0
Date: December 21, 1980
Competition: FIFA World Cup
Qualifier-UEFA-Group 2
17-Maurice de Schrijver (Koninklijke Sporting Club
Lokeren)
Team
Captain:Eric Gerets
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Admiral
Uniform
Colors: Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks
Republic
of Ireland:
1-James
Martin ‘Seamus’ McDonagh (Everton Football
Club-Liverpool / England)
2-David
Francis Langan (Birmingham
City Football Club / England)
4-Michael
Paul ‘Mick’ Martin (Newcastle United Football Club / England)
5-Kevin
Bernard Moran (Manchester
United Football Club / England)
3-Christopher
William Gerard Hughton (Tottenham Hotspur Football Club-London / England)
7-Gerard
Anthony ‘Gery’ Daly (Coventry City Football Club / England)
10-Anthony
Patrick Grealish
(Luton Town Football Club / England)
6-William
‘Liam’ Brady (Juventus Football Club-Torino / Italy)
9-Stephen
Derek Heighway (Liverpool
Football Club / England)
8-Francis
Anthony ‘Frank’ Stapleton (Arsenal Football Club-London / England) (14-Michael Anthony ‘Mickey’ Walsh (Futebol
Clube do Porto / Portugal) 71st)
11-Michael
John Robinson (Brighton
Hove and Albion Football Club/
England)
Coach:
Eoin Kevin Joseph Colin Hand
Booked:
Liam Brady, Gerry Daly
Team
Captain:William ‘Liam’ Brady
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas
Uniform
Colors: Green Shirts, White Shorts, Green
Socks
Photo From: Foot Magazine,
Issue 2, May 1981
(Belgium squad, Top, left to right: Rene
Vandereycken ,Erwin Vandenbergh,
Walter Meeuws,Michel Preud’Homme,Luc Millecamps , Bottom, left to right: Ludo Coeck ,Michel Renquin,Eric Gerets, Raymond Mommens, Albert Cluytens, Jan Ceulemans , March 25, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 1-Republic of
Ireland 0)
Table
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Belgium
5
4
1
0
8
3
0
9
2
Republic
of Ireland
6
3
1
2
12
7
5
7
3
France
3
2
0
1
9
1
8
4
4
Holland
4
2
0
2
5
3
2
4
5
Cyprus
6
0
0
6
4
24
-20
0
April
29, 1981 (Nicosia, Cyprus 0-Holland 1)
Date: April 29, 1981
Competition: FIFA World Cup
Qualifier-UEFA-Group 2
Result: France 3-Belgium 2
Venue:Paris-
Parc des Princes
Attendance:44,954
Referee:Victoriano
Sanchez Arminio (Spain)
Goalscorers:
(France):
Gerard Soler 14th, 31st, Didier Six 26th
(Belgium):
Erwin Vandenbergh 5th, Jan Ceulemans 52nd
Lineups:
France:
1-Dominique Dropsy (Racing Club de Strasbourg Football)
2-Gerard Janvion (Association Sportive de
Saint-Etienne Loire)
4-Christian Lopez (Association Sportive de Saint-Etienne Loire)
5-Marius Tresor (Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club)
3-Maxime Bossis (Football Club de Nantes)
6 -Jean Tigana
(Olympique Lyonnais)
8-Alain Giresse (Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club)
10-Bernard Genghini (Football Club de
Sochaux-Montbéliard)
7-Gerard Soler (Girondins de Bordeaux Football Club) (15-Jacques Zimako (Association Sportive de Saint-Etienne Loire) 71st)
9-Dominique Rocheteau (Paris Saint-Germain Football
Club)
11-Didier Six (Racing Club de Strasbourg Football)
Coach: Michel Hidalgo
Other
Substitutes:
Jean Castaneda (Association Sportive de
Saint-Etienne Loire)
Patrick Battiston(Association
Sportive de Saint-Etienne Loire)
Leonard
Specht (Racing Club de Strasbourg
Football)
Alain Moizan (Olympique Lyonnais)
Team
Captain:Christian
Lopez
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas
Uniform
Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Red
Socks
Belgium:
1-Michel Preud’Homme (Royal Standard de Liege)
2-
Eric Gerets (Royal
Standard de Liege)
3-Luc
Millecamps (Koninklijke Sportvereniging Waregem) (13- Michel De Wolf (Racing
White Daring Molenbeek) 17th)
