Anderlecht
and RC Lens were paired in the Third Round of the 1983/84 UEFA Cup.
The
Belgian Club Anderlecht, managed by the former star Paul van Himst, were the
defending Champions of the trophy and one of Europe’s stronger teams.
The
squad contained many Internationals from different nations which included
Belgians Frankie Vercauteren, Erwin vandenbergh, Rene vandereycken , as well as
a large Danish contingent led by Morten Olsen and Frank Arnesen.
They
had qualified from their opening Rounds by defeating Norway’s Bryne (3-0 away,
1-1 ) and Czechoslovakia’s Banik Ostrava (2-0, 2-2 away).
France’s
RC Lens had not played in Europe for over 5 years. They were managed by a young
Gerard Houllier, who was starting to make a name for himself.
The
jewel in the crown of the squad was young midfielder Phillipe Vercruysse, who
many were predicting a bright future. Also on board, were Olympic team
Internationals such as defender Didier Senac and strikers Francois Brisson and
Daniel Xuereb.
They
had qualified from their opening Rounds by defeating two Belgian squads: Ghent (1-1 away, 2-1) and Antwerp (2-2, 3-2
away) and were about to meet a third Belgian side.
But
this Belgian squad was clearly superior to the previous ones.
The
first leg, on November 24th, was played at Lens’ Stade Félix-Bollaert.
Lens
playing at home, employing a 4-3-3 formation
took the initiative. Roman Ogaza had been carrying an injury, as a
result Pascal Peltier started as central striker flanked by wingers: Francois
Brisson and Daniel Xuereb.
Despite
their positive intentions, Lens were unable to break through and finish their
moves, as Anderlecht were a more organized and experienced squad.
With
the match seemingly headed for a scoreless draw, Anderlecht snatched a goal
with two minutes to go.
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1964,
November 29, 1983
(Rene vandereycken and Jean-Pierre Tempet)
Frankie
Vercauteren from the center of the field released De Groote on the left side
who sent a low pass into the box for vandenbergh to score.
At
this point, the match seemed to have been decided, however, an incident changed
the course of the tie.
Photo From: Onze, Issue 96, December
1983
(Erwin vandenbergh’s goal)
Photo From: Onze, Issue 96, December
1983
(Frankie Vercauteren celebrating Anderlecht’s
opener with Tempet on the ground)
Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue
45, December 1983
(Pascal
Peltier and Walter De Greef)
In
injury time after Anderlecht had cleared a Lens attack, Kenneth Brylle sent a
backpass to his goalkeeper Munaron to keep possession. Morten Olsen allowed the
ball to pass through his legs for Munaron to pick up.
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1964,
November 29, 1983
(Phillipe Vercruysse and Walter De Greef)
Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue
54,September 1984
(Phillipe Vercruysse and Walter De Greef)
What
seemed like a routine play suddenly turned into an own goal . Munaron tried to
control and pick up the ball with his foot and suddenly the ball rolled into
the net.
Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue
45, December 1983
(Jacques
Munaron with the rock that was thrown from the stands)
Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue
46, January 1984
(Jacques Munaron with Morten Olsen showing the
rock that was thrown from the stands)
At
first it was not apparent what had occurred, it seemed like Munaron had made an
error and the Television replays were also not very clear at first. However,
with clearer analysis, it was clear that as soon as the ball entered the net,
Munaron picked up an object (which turned out to be a rock) and tried to show
it to the referee.
Photo From: Onze, Issue 96, December
1983
(Trouble in the stands at the conclusion of the
match)
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1964,
November 29, 1983
(Jacques Munaron leaving the field with beer
cans and the rock)
Munaron
and the Anderlecht players tried to appeal to the referee that the rock had
changed the trajectory of the ball. But it was to no avail as the referee
validated the goal, since himself and the linesman had not seen anything.
In
any case, according to the laws of the game any and all foreign objects had to
be removed from the field for play to continue, so the goal should have been
called off.
As
he was leaving the field, Munaron carried the rock in question as well as beer
cans thrown on the field.
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1964,
November 29, 1983
(A cartoon showing Jacques Munaron with
areference to the rock thrown)
He
was so angry that when French TV reporter Phillipe Houy tried to interview him
as he was leaving , he refused his request and just walked off.
After
the match there was crowd trouble and police and security forces had to
intervene.
Houllier
considered his team’s play better and was hopeful for the return leg. He said
they have to attack in Brussels, as it was the only solution.
Despite
the fluke goal, a draw seemed like a fair result.
November 24, 1983
Racing
Club de Lens (France) 1-Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht (Belgium) 1
UEFA
Cup- Third Round, First Leg
Venue: Lens - Stade Félix-Bollaert
Attendance: 34,374
Referee: David Syme (Scotland)
Goalscorers: (Lens): Jacques Munaron
(own goal) 90th
Uniform
Colors: White Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks
The
second leg, on December 7th , was played at Brussels’ Parc Astrid.
For
Lens, Rene Marsiglia started in place of Jean-Pierre Bade, otherwise the squad
was unchanged. Pascal Peltier once again deputized for Roman Ogaza.
Anderlecht
started with the same lineup.
The
day before the match it had been announced that Anderlecht’s Walter De Greef
would miss the match. However, on the day of the match he was declared fit.
This led Houllier to remark that here it’s like in France, players are injured
before and after matches but on the day of match by miracle they are ok to
play.
Anderlecht
showed its strength and dominated the proceedings and only one outcome seemed
certain.
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1966
, December 13, 1983
(Daniel Xuereb saving on the goal lien from a
vandenbergh effort)
In
the 22nd minute, Daniel Xuereb saved on the goal-line from a
Czerniatinski attempt. Initially it seemed like the ball may have passed the
line, but no goal was given.
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1966
, December 13, 1983
(Francois Brisson and Walter De Greef)
After
many chances Anderlcht broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. Rene
vandereycken from the center sends a ball to the left side for Vercauteren who
takes a shot. The ball is parried by Tempet and then Vercauteren attempts an
overhead kick with the deflected ball. The loose ball is laid on by
Czerniatinski to De Greef who takes a shot to the roof of the net.
Photo From: Onze, Issue 97, January
1984
(Walter De Greef scoring the winner)
In
the second half, De Greef came close again with a header that hit the post.
Photo From: Onze, Issue 97, January
1984
(Tenpet and Walter De Greef)
Anderlecht
were awarded a penalty kick in the 63rd minute when Hofkens was
fouled in the box. A foul that injured Hofkens and forced him off. Frankie
Vercauteren’s attempt was saved by Tempet.
Photo From: France Football, Issue 1966
, December 13, 1983
(Frankie Vercauteren attempting his pot kick
that was saved)
Photo From: Onze, Issue 97, January
1984
(Anderlecht players celebrating the goal)
Anderlecht
deservedly won the match by the slimmest margin and qualified for the quarterfinals.
Houllier
named De Greef as the Anderlecht’s best player and said with him out, Lens
would have won.
He
went on to blame the French calendar for his side’s elimination. He mentioned
that French teams had already played 21 League matches up to that point, while
Belgians were fresher with only 15 matches played.
Lens’
sponsor ‘Europe 1’ gave each Lens player a VCR as a gift.
Anderlecht
went on and qualified for the Final of the UEFA Cup, but were defeated by
Tottenham Hotspur in the Final.
Lens’
Senac, Xuereb and Brisson had a more memorable end of season as they were
instrumental in France winning the 1984 Olympic Title in the Los Angeles
Olympics.
December 7, 1983
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht (Belgium) 1-Racing Club de Lens
(France) 0
