Intercontinental /Toyota Cup-Part Three (1982, Peñarol Montevideo vs. Aston Villa)

The 1982 Edition of the Intercontinental Cup was the third in its ‘permanent’ home in Tokyo.

The participating teams were England’s Aston Villa and Uruguay’s Peñarol Montevideo.

Aston Villa had won the Champions Cup by defeating Bayern Munich (1-0) on May 26, 1982.

Peñarol Montevideo had won the Copa Libertadoes just weeks earlier. They had defeated Chile’s Cobreloa on November 30^th, 1982 (1-0) after a scoreless tie at home on November 26^th.

Aston Villa were led upfront with giant striker Peter White. The others standouts of the team were players such as Gordon Cowans, Tony Morley and Gary Shaw.

Peñarol were led by Fernando Morena, who had returned after a spell at Valencia. The side contained other Internationals such as Nelson Guttierez and Venancio Ramos. The only foreign player on the team was the Brazilian Jair Gonçalves Prates.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 85, January 1983

(Team captains Dennis Mortimer and Walter Olivera, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 85, January 1983

(Penarol squad entering the field, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

In contrast to previous year’ European winners, Aston Villa appeared to have been taking the game seriously. Aston Villa Manager Tony Barton had ensured that his squad arrive in Japan with ample enough time to train and get used to the conditions. The Team had two and half full days to prepare to be in form for the match.

As far as his opponents, Barton was not very impressed. He stated that he had seen a Peñarol match on video from the Copa Libertadores and had not been very impressed.

For Peñarol, key player Ernesto Vargas would miss the match through injury. His place would be taken by Walkir Silva.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 35, February 1983

(Peter White, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1915, December 21, 1982

(December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 35, February 1983

(Walkir Silva and Des Bremner, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Both teams appeared determined to win as they took the field.

The encounter took place on December 12^th at Tokyo.

In the beginning of the match, the English were better and had chances but Peñarol goalkeeper Gustavo Fernandez was equal to the task.

Aston Vila were so dominant in the early going that Peñarol created no chances in that spell.

Peñarol were excellent in defense throughout the match and cleared their lines efficiently.

The closest Aston Villa came to scoring was when Cowans hit the cross bar.

Yet, it was with their first clear chance that Peñarol took the lead.

In the 27^th minute, Jair Gonçalves Prates struck home a free kick that Aston Villa goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer could not hold onto as it went past him.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 85, January 1983

(December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 85, January 1983

(December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Afterwards, Aston Villa’s tactic was to try the aerial route to Peter White, but Walter Oliver effectively marked him out of the game.

In addition, Tony Morley had a disappointing match and could not conjure up anything for Villa.

Peñarol killed off the match in the 68^th minute by scoring the second goal.

Allan Evans and Walkir Silva raced for a loose ball in the Villa penalty area. Evans got there first but his pass back to his goalkeeper Rimmer, forced the latter to parry it away. His deflection was on the path of the onrushing Walkir Silva who tapped it into the net.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 85, January 1983

(Walkir Silva’s second goal, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1915, December 21, 1982

(The two goals, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: World Soccer, January 1983

(December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 35, February 1983

(Gary Shaw and Miguel Bossio, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 35, February 1983

(December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Peñarol were not troubled and were able to control and dictate the play with Jair.

 In addition, Fernando Morena and Walkir Silva were too fast for the Villa defenders and constantly drew out their markers.

Incidentally, a point of complaint from Aston Villa was the use of the match ball, which was a ‘Triaton’ designed by ‘Le Coq Sportif’. They claimed the ball was too lightweight and bouncy on such a hard pitch. It was a strange complaint given that ‘Le Coq Sportif’ were the kit designers of Aston Villa.

Peñarol won their first Intercontinental title since 1966 to continue the South American dominance (third year in a row) since the contest was held in Tokyo.

Peñarol’s Brazilian star Jair was named man of the match and took home the prize (A Toyota).

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1915, December 21, 1982

(Jair Goncalves, the player of the match, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 35, February 1983

(Gustavo Fernandez and Juan Morales, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: World Soccer, January 1983

(December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 85, January 1983

(December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 85, January 1983

(Penarol squad, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 85, January 1983

(Aston Villa squad, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

December 12, 1982

Club Atlético Peñarol Montevideo (Uruguay) 2- Aston Villa Football Club-Birmingham (England) 0

Intercontinental Cup (Toyota Cup)

Venue: Tokyo, National Stadium

Attendance: 62,000

Referee: Luis Paulino Siles (Costa Rica)

Goalscorers: (Peñarol):  Jair 27, Walkir Silva 68

                    (Aston Vila): None

Lineups:

Peñarol:

1-Gustavo Fernández, 2-Walter Oliveira, 5-Miguel Bossio, 3-Nelson Gutiérrez, 4-Victor Diogo, 6-Juan Vicente Morales, 7-Venancio Ramos, 8-Mario Saralegui, 9-Fernando Morena, 10-Jair Gonçalves Prates (Brazil), 11-Walkir Silva

Coach: Hugo Bagnulo

Other Substitutes:  Carlos Arias, Miguel Falero, Nestor Montelongo, Ricardo Ortiz, Daniel Rodriguez

Team Captain: Walter Oliveira

Shirt Sponsor: None

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: yellow and black vertical striped shirts, Black Shorts, Yellow Socks

Aston Villa:

1-Jimmy Rimmer, 2-Mark Jones, 5-Ken McNaught (Scotland), 7-Des Bremner (Scotland), 3-Gary Williams, 4-Allan Evans (Scotland), 6-Dennis Mortimer, 10-Gordon Cowans, 8-Gary Shaw, 9-Peter Withe, 11-Tony Morley

Coach: Tony Barton

Other Substitutes: Nigel Spink, Colin Gibson, Pat Heard, Mark Walters

Team Captain: Dennis Mortimer

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Le Coq Sportif

Shirt Sponsor:  None

Uniform Colors: Claret with sky blue sleeved Shirts, White Shorts, Sky Blue Socks

Man of Match: Jair Gonçalves Prates (Peñarol Montevideo)

References:

Calcio 2000, Issue 27, February 2000

Onze, Issue 85, January 1983

Mondial, new series, issue 35, February 1983

World Soccer, January 1983

France Football, Issue 1914, December 14, 1982

France Football, Issue 1915, December 21, 1982

Photo From: Onze, Issue 85, January 1983

(Penarol squad, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 85, January 1983

(Aston Villa squad, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 85, January 1983

(Nelson Guttierez with the Intercontinental Cup, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Photo From: World Soccer, January 1983

(Jair Goncalves, the player of the match, December 12, 1982, Intercontinental Cup, Penarol 2-Aston Villa 0)

Memorable European Confrontations, Part 14-1983 Juventus vs. Aston Villa

Juventus and Aston Villa were paired in the Quarterfinals of the 1982/83 Champions Cup.

The Italians, managed by Giovanni Trappatoni, boasted a squad that contained six recent World Cup Champions; Zoff, Gentile, Scirea, Cabrini, Tardelli and Rossi.

In addition they had the French and Polish superstars Michel Platini and Zbigniew Boniek.

In the previous two rounds they had eliminated Denmark’s Hvidovre and Belgium’s Standard Liege.

They were lagging behind in the League to AS Roma due to their poor start with Platini taking time to adapt, but by the spring time they had regained their form with Platini in superb form.

Aston Villa were the defending Champions of this competition. They were off the pace in the League but had weeks before defeated Barcelona in the UEFA Super Cup.

The team was captained by Dennis Mortimer was led upfront by Peter White and supported by Gordon Cowans, Gary Shaw and Tony Morley among others.

In the previous two rounds they had eliminated Turkey’s Besiktas and Romania’s Dinamo Bucharest.

The first leg, on March 2nd, was played in Birmingham’s Villa Park with Juventus in confident mood despite playing away from home.

Aston Villa were missing Scottish defender Allan Evans, who was suspended after the violent clash with Barcelona in the Super Cup.

Photo From: L'Annee du Football 1983

(Massimo Bonini and Tony Morley)

Des Bremner took his place in defense.

Much was expected of Gordon Cowans who had just celebrated first cap, a week before.

After 38 seconds, Bettega sent Cabrini clear on the left side clear, who then crossed for Paolo Rossi to head home.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1926, March 8, 1983

(Michel Platini surrounded by Aston Villa players)

Juventus had assigned Gentile to guard Gary Shaw.

In the 13^th minute, McNaught scored from a corner from Cowans, however, his attempt was ruled out after a foul on Scirea.

Photo From: Mondial, April 1983

(Roberto Bettega and Dennis Mortimer)

Before halftime, Aston Villa defender Gary Williams was subbed off and replaced by Deacy due to injury.

Photo From: Mondial, April 1983

(Clausio Gentile and Gary Shaw)

Early in the scond half, Tony Morley passed to Gibson who sent in a cross from the lft for Cowans to head home.

This did not deter Juventus and just before the end Platini sent Boniek clear with a through ball for the winner.

Photo From: Mondial, April 1983

(Gary Shaw and Gaetano Scirea)

March 2, 1983

Aston Villa Football Club-Birmingham (England) 1- Juventus Football Club-Torino (Italy) 2

Champions Cup- Quarterfinals, First Leg

Venue: Birmingham-Villa Park

Attendance: 45,531

Referee: Walter Eschweiler (West Germany)

Goalscorers: (Aston Villa): Gordon Cowans 53

 (Juventus): Paolo Rossi 1-Zbigniew Boniek 83

Lineups:

Aston Villa:

1-Nigel Spink, 2-Gary Williams (14-Eamon Deacy (Republic of Ireland) 41^st), 4-Des Bremner (Scotland), 5-Ken McNaught (Scotland), 3-Colin Gibson, 6-Dennis Mortimer, 8-Gary Shaw, 10-Gordon Cowans, 7-Andy Blair, 9-Peter White, 11-Tony Morley

Coach: Tony Barton

Booked: Eamon Deacy 54

Team Captain: Dennis Mortimer

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Le Coq Sportif

Shirt Sponsor: None

Uniform Colors: Claret with Sky Blue sleeves Shirts, Claret Shorts, Sky Blue Socks

Juventus:

1-Dino Zoff, 2-Claudio Gentile, 3-Antonio Cabrini, 5-Sergio Brio, 6-Gaetano Scirea, 8-Marco Tardelli, 4-Massimo Bonini, 10-Michel Platini (France), 11-Zbigniew Boniek (Poland), 9-Paolo Rossi, 7-Roberto Bettega

Coach: Giovanni Trappatoni

Team Captain: Dino Zoff

Official Kit Supplier/Designer:  Kappa

Shirt Sponsor:  None

Uniform Colors: Black White Vertical Striped Shirts, White Shorts , White Socks

The second leg, on March 16^th,  was played at Turin’s Stadio Communale.

At this point Juventus were odds and favorites and with Platini in super form were favorites to win the trophy.

Platini was in such a fine form that the Italian Sports Journal had declared that Platini plays like an extra-terrestrial.

Photo From: Onze, April 1983

(The teams taking the field)

Juventus fielded an unchanged side. Aston Villa had Allan Evans back in defense, with Bremener back in midfield.

Morley and Andy Blair were missing, with Mark Walters starting.

Photo From: Onze, April 1983

(Paolo Rossi, Gordon Cowans and Des Bremner)

Juventus came out attacking from the start and Platini scored in the 13^th minute from a long rane shot from outside of the box that Nigel Spink could not hold on to and slipped through.

In the 26^th minute,  Tardelli scored the second off of a header from a cross by Paolo Rossi on the right.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1928, March 22, 1983

(Spink unable to stop Tardelli’s header with Platini looking on)

Photo From: Onze, April 1983

(Dennis Mortimer and Michel Platini)

Juventus scored their third goal in the 68^th minute, Boniek surged from the right, his pass across was intercepted by McNaught, but he was unaware that Platini was right behind him and stole it from him and took a low shot past Spink.

Photo From: Onze, April 1983

(Dennis Mortimer and Michel Platini)

Juventus were in complete control and the result was justified.

Ten minutes before the end, Aston Villa got a consolation goal when Gibson sent in a long cross from the left for Peter White to head home.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1928, March 22, 1983

(Paolo Rossi and Des Bremner)

Photo From: L'Annee du Football 1983

(Platini’s second goal)

Juventus advanced to the semifinals and eliminated Boniek’s former club, Poland’s Widzew Lodz. In the Final , they lost to West Germany’s SV Hamburg.

They had to wait another two years to win this coveted trophy, sadly that would turn out to be the Heysel disaster.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1928, March 22, 1983

(Zbigniew Boniek and Des Bremner)

March 16, 1983

Juventus Football Club-Torino (Italy) 3-Aston Villa Football Club-Birmingham (England) 1

Champions Cup- Second Round, Second Leg

Venue: Turin-Stadio Communale

Attendance: 66,000

Referee: Jan Keizer (Holland)

Goalscorers: (Juventus): Michel Platini 13, 68, Marco Tardelli 26

  (Aston Villa):  Peter White 80

Lineups:

Juventus:

1-Dino Zoff, 2-Claudio Gentile, 3-Antonio Cabrini, 5-Sergio Brio (15-Giuseppe Furino 73^rd), 6-Gaetano Scirea, 8-Marco Tardelli, 4-Massimo Bonini, 10-Michel Platini (France), 11-Zbigniew Boniek (Poland), 9-Paolo Rossi, 7-Roberto Bettega

Coach: Giovanni Trappatoni

Team Captain: Dino Zoff

Official Kit Supplier/Designer:  Kappa

Shirt Sponsor:  Ariston

Uniform Colors: White/Black Vertical Striped Shirts, White Shorts , White Socks

Aston Villa:

1-Nigel Spink, 2-Gary Williams, 4-Allan Evans (Scotland), 5-Ken McNaught (Scotland), 3-Colin Gibson, 7-Des Bremner (Scotland), 6-Dennis Mortimer, 8-Gary Shaw, 10-Gordon Cowans, 9-Peter White, 11-Mark Walters

Coach: Tony Barton

Team Captain: Dennis Mortimer

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Le Coq Sportif

Shirt Sponsor: None

Uniform Colors: Claret with Sky Blue sleeves Shirts, White Shorts, Sky Blue Socks