Mammoth Book of the World Cup by Nick Holt

Author:Nick Holt
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781472110510
Publisher: Constable & Robinson

GROUP 5

Spain’s group, on paper, contained the weakest side in each of the top three seeding groups, plus an unknown quantity in Honduras. Spain were expected to qualify – they would have struggled to do so from any other section. The hosts were unfortunate in that their turn to hold the tournament on home soil coincided with a dearth of quality players. Only the goalkeeper and full-backs can in any way be counted as greats of Spanish football.

Honduras provided stiffer opposition than anticipated in Spain’s first game, taking the lead after eight minutes. A number of the Hondurans won contracts with Spanish clubs (mostly at a level below the big teams) after their performances here – the central defender Anthony Costly and midfielder Héctor Zelaya, who scored that early goal, were amongst those who impressed watching scouts, as did Gilberto Yearwood, who was already playing in Spain, with Valladolid.

Like Spain, Yugoslavia didn’t bring a vintage crop of players, and they were held to a 0–0 draw with Northern Ireland, well organised and prepared to graft, as always. Yugoslavia were better against Spain; they started positively and took the lead when Gudelj headed home a free-kick. With Spain in trouble the home bias factor kicked in. Not the Simpsons patriarch, but the World Cup factor that dictates that for the sake of the coffers the home nation must be given every chance to reach the latter stages. It has worked in every World Cup except South Africa, and it worked here when Sørensen, the Danish referee, gave a penalty for a foul that was clearly a foot outside the area. The defender stayed completely still and was clearly standing out of the penalty area; the most charitable explanation is that Mr Sørensen was feeling the pressure from the partisan crowd in the Luis Casanova stadium (Valencia). Sørensen even compounded his error and ordered the kick re-taken when López Ufarte missed with the first attempt. In fairness the goalkeeper clearly left his line, but plenty of other instances of the same offence went unpunished. Spain changed kicker and Juanito scored. Dodgy, dodgy stuff.

Yugoslavia still created chances – Arconada made a fantastic double save from Petrovic and Susic, while Slijvo skimmed the outside of the post from twenty-five yards. Spain did slightly better in the second half, and López Ufarte clipped the top of the bar with a free-kick, but it was still Yugoslavia who created the best chances; Vujovic put a header an inch wide of the post with Arconada beaten and Susic fired hard into the side netting when clear. Even Spain’s winning goal had an element of fortune; Quini, on for the limp Satrústegui, made a hash of a shot from López Ufarte’s corner, but the ball spun through to Saura, who scored at the far post. The goal seemed to take the stuffing out of Yugoslavia and the game subsided.

Over in Zaragoza the Northern Ireland squad expected to pick up their first win against Honduras, but, like Spain, found the debutants hard to break down.

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