Malta – ranked 32nd. This season was probably the best ever in the history of Hamrun Spartans. It was also the sorry end of the great 4-years spell of Rabat Ajax. Invisible in the lower echelons were clubs like
Naxxar Lions and
Vittoriosa Stars.
Mosta won the Second Division championship and was happily promoted. Back: S. Muscat, M. Chircop, S. Cuschieri, E. Tabone, J. Degiorgio, M. Ciantar, R. Borg, G. Muscat, P. Vella II, C. Schembri. Seated: L. Deguara, E. Buhagiar, P. Vella I, J. Attard (coach), A. Gatt, J. Busuttil, M. Muscat. Inset: I. Galea, F. Sant.
Birkirkara ended 2nd in the Second Division and also earned promotion.
First Division was more interesting at the bottom than at the top. But what is ‘bottom’? The Maltese First Division was tiny, the smallest in Europe – just 8 teams. Thus, almost everybody was in danger of going down. Four teams were considered candidates for the title before the start of the season – half the league! Reality was different.
Tarxien Rainbows was last, pretty much expected – they got just 3 points, absolute outsiders. But the other relegated team was considered a title contender before the start of the season – Rabat Ajax, the reigning champions and going through great spell already for 4 years. Internal troubles, however, brought them down – they finished 7th with 12 points and plummeted down to Second Division. Interestingly, they finished with positive goal-difference: 21-13. Only two teams had it better.
Up the table, it was mostly battle for survival and teams took places mostly according to the moment they managed to get themselves together.
Hibernians escaped by a point – they ended 6th with 13 points.
Slightly better, Zurrieq and Valletta FC, considered both title contenders before the start of the season, managed to climb up, but no more than fighting each other for second place. They finished with 16 points each and Zurrieq had far better goal-difference. But goal-difference did not count and play-off was staged – perhaps experience was the decisive factor here: Valletta FC prevailed 2-1 and got silver medals.
The champion was decided rather early – Hamrun Spartans were strong from start. To a point, it was surprising performance – Hamrun Spartans were not considered among the favourites before the opening of the season. It was fantastic run of the underdog: 11 wins, 3 ties, not a single loss, 25-6 goal-difference, 25 points. Overwhelming superiority and well deserved title, which was their 5th.
Perhaps it was lucky signing of imported player – the English striker Barry Galagher proved a formidable addition to the squad. He spent years in the lower English leagues, but was great for Maltese club.
Hamrun Spartans, invigorated by Galagher, reached the Cup final as well, where they met Sliema Wanderers. The final almost enraged fans, because it was scheduled on Sunday morning and lacked entertainment. The Spartans quickly got 2-0 lead and after that mostly kept the Wanderers at bay. Yet, their opponents tried to turn the game around and managed to score a goal in the second half. But no more and Hamrun Spartans won 2-1 and got the Cup. It was their 3rd.
Not sure, but possibly that was the Hamrun Spartans squad which won a double, their first. Fantastic season indeed, in which they did not lose any games and were vastly superior to all opponents.
US Rumelange finished 2nd in the Second Division and earned promotion. Rather dramatic – clinched the spot on 1 goal better goal-difference.
Jeunesse d’Esch/Alzette finished first after 17 wins, 4 ties, and single loss. 64-14 goal-difference, 38 points and 20th title! Great achievement.
The peace ended right here – at the picture of captains and referees before the start. The great Brazilian Romualdo Arppi Filho officiated the final and he followed his motto “I always tell the players – you play, I judge’, and he was often criticized for that – this final was no exception.
There was no football at all – the great finalists went into kicking each other from the start of the game and never stopped. The Chileans were livelier at first and looked more dangerous. But they also displayed some naivety – they kicked the Uruguayans quite openly.
The Uruguayans were crafty – they perfected dirty play long time ago: it always looked a borderline, may be they really played for the ball, but missed it in the last moment and kicked Chilean shin instead. Nevertheless, Arppi Filho had to blow the whistle twice in a single minute.
Football was hardly played at all – if a player was brought down already and managed to try some pass in front of the net, a whole bucket of players was there fighting for it by every possible mean. Eventually, the Chileans got some chances to score in the first half, but missed the net. But it was largely ugly kicking opponents – the Uruguayans just equally kicked every Chilean in sight, Chileans focused on Francescoli. It was so blatant and provocative, that even Arppi Filho run out of options to stay blind – he had no chance, but to red card Eduardo Gomez in the 14th minute. What else he can do? Francescoli was kicked about 4 times in succession in less than a minute.
It was, however, familiar and may be even preferable set-up for Uruguay – and they did not miss their rare opportunity to score in the 56th minute. Bengoechea did not miss the chance. In the second half Uruguay looked a bit more dangerous than Chile.
The war continued to the end – and in the 88th minute the Uruguayan captain Perdomo and the Chilean Fernando Astengo were red-carded. Perhaps the picture shows the only difference between the teams: Perdomo still claims innocence and Astengo is somewhat resigned – caught in middle of the crime, guilty as charged. Both teams ended with 9 men on the pitch, but frankly the game should have been abandoned may be around the 35th minute. Then again… stopping the game would have been impossible: no matter how violent, it was the final of a ‘new’ Copa America, promoting it’s ‘modern’ formula and image. It was… lose-lose situation. So, the terrible thing finished on time and Uruguay won.
The warriors got the cup and the medals – Perdomo and Francescoli as well, no matter they have been red-carded.
Team Uruguay did its round of triumph, looking not happy, but exhausted.
Chile finished second. Forth time second, but once again they were unable to win. Given the poor quality of the final, it is hard to tell how good this vintage was – certainly, there was talent and promise for the future (Ivan Zamorano), but it was not a great squad. Yet, they eliminated Brazil and if anything, at least they did not look weaker than the final winners.
Champions! It depends how one looks at it – on one hand Uruguay defended its 1983 title and equalized Argentina at their own turf: now both countries were the most successful in South America with 9 titles each. Well, wait a minute… that was what some periodicals wrote in Europe at the time. In reality, Uruguay won its 13th title and no longer sharer the record with Argentina, which had won 12th times, lastly in 1959. Let stick to records as established now… Uruguay was number one team in South America and managed to eliminate 1986 World Champions on the way. It was also great to see much criticized and may be to a point improvised squad, led by temporary coach win. On the other hand… nothing so great. The whole championship was a disappointment. In terms of quality of the game, not only nothing new was showed, but it was particularly violent championship even by South American standards. Uruguay was no exception, ending the final with 9 men and red-carded were no others, but the prime stars of the team – ‘Prince’ Francescoli and captain Perdomo. Ugly was ‘old’ Uruguay at the 1986 World Cup and ugly was the new one in 1987. Yes, they were great fighters, very skilled in the art of killing opponents with borderline tackles, which were hard to really call deliberate. Yes, they possessed another great skill: to fight a war without losing their cool, preserving their tactical organization, but the plain fact was Uruguay fought a lot and played very little. It was so much in their blood, that young or old, experienced or not, the Uruguayans player were capable to prevail in such wars and use to their advantage whatever minimal opportunity availed. Thus, they scored and Chile did not – in the 1980s it was already clear that football became a matter of using single opportunity, scoring one goal by hook or crook, and victory was yours. Credit to coach Fleitas and the players for managing to be closely knit collective, to stay focused, to give their best to the very end, but the champions were not a great team. No exciting new name emerged and Franescoli did not shine as he did 4 years earlier. That is the more objective conclusion, but still it was great to see small country coming on top and at least at home it was a moment of triumph.
Even Maradona was unable to get bigger interest and support… and rightly so: Colombia was leading 2-0 by the 28th minute.
There was another hero already – Pibe Valderama.
He was known in South America, of course, but at this tournament the world really ‘discovered’ him – with inevitable mistakes, as the French one here, calling him Delgado and Paraguayan.
Valderama did more than Maradona on top of everything – he could be seen defending at the goal line trying to prevent Caniggia from scoring. Meantime Hiquita did not make stupid mistakes and all Argentine efforts amounted to single goal by Caniggia in the 85th minute. Thus Argentina lost again. Symbolicly, heavy fog fell down in the last minutes, as if to pull curtain down on Argentine shame.
Colombia was more than pleasant surprise: there was talented bunch of young players, coached by equally young Francisco Maturana. They were just emerging, in a building process yet, but pushing ahead. Third place hardly mattered anymore, but it was achievement for them, getting noticed and getting confident. Colombia was pleasant and inventive team, conducted by the elegant and imaginative magician Carlos Valderama.
And at the end he – not Maradona – was named the best player of the championship. Rightly and deserving so.
Colombia had chances to score first, but Chile quickly responded.
The game was fairly equal, though.
Seemingly, Chile had more opportunities and may be Valderama did not shine too much, but Colombia missed better scoring chances and just for that perhaps had reasons to be sorrier at the final whistle. In overtime drama unfolded in the unpredictable football way. Colombia got a penalty in the 103rd minute and Bernardo Redin scored it – it looked just result, given the great chances Colombia missed during regular time. A few minutes later Rene Higuita turned around the table, making two big mistakes in the 106th minute and in the 108th minute. Fernando Astengo and Jaime Vera scored for Chile and than Hiquita perhaps killed Colombian last chances with long solo attack, started back in his penalty area and never reaching the Chilean penalty area – attractive and entirely useless effort, born from frustration. It was a pattern of the flamboyant goalkeeper, a very costly pattern. Chile won and reached the final.
1- Jorge Fernando Seré Dulcini (Danubio Futbol Club Montevideo)
It was dramatic clash, but was it any good is hard to tell now. Such derbies are tough always.
Certainly there was no mercy, but was it an ugly game? No cards were shown, which tells nothing – it was the 1980s football, short of murder no cards were ever given.
Maradona was denied scoring opportunities even from free kicks.
And if photos suggest Argentine superiority to the points of scoring a goal here, it was not that – with time, Uruguay got the upper hand – at least according to Alzamendi, who counted about 9 Uruguayan better scoring positions. Himself he scored one of those in the 43rd minute. A goal Argentina was unable to return. Argentina was out and no matter what Bilardo was saying well before Copa America started, the result was taken badly – losing to the arch-enemy at home? There is no excuse! Uruguay triumphed and the mood changed instantly as well: a new, inexperienced team just eliminated reigning World champions at their own home, Maradona and all! Following what happened on the pitch – mostly ugly tackles and bloody fouls – the public went into fighting on the stands.
1-Rene Higuita (Corporacion Deportiva Club Atletico Nacional- Medellin (Itagüí))
1-Roberto Fernández (Asociacion Deportivo Cali / Colombia)
In front of 2000 Paraguay and Bolivia finished 0-0.
Bolivia finished the tournament as expected: Colombia beat them 2-0 – only 1000 attended. Three players were red-carded. Suddenly Paraguay had to win by 3 goals in order to qualify, but the aging team was unpleasantly surprised.
Paraguayan efforts were fruitless.
‘Pibe’ Valderama shined.
Arnaldo Iguaran scored a hat-trick. In the 50th minute the game was over, Paraguay was eliminated and Colombia was the pleasant surprise of the championship already.
1-Cesar Baena (Caracas Fútbol Club)
1-‘Carlos’ Roberto Gallo (Sport Club Corinthians Paulista- São Paulo)
Predictably, Venezuela was no match and Brazil dominated.
The difference of class was too big, no matter what the Venezuelans tried.
Muller either disappointed or there was no need to keep him playing the whole game – Romario replaced him in the 66th minute.
It was just Brazil and at the end the result was 5-0. No Brazilian scored more than one goal, but Careca scored, Romario scored, and even Venezuela scored a goal – unfortunately, Zdenko Morovic contributed to the big loss scoring in his own net.
Venezuela was expected to lose and it did. This time they scored in the net of the opposition, not in their own, but that was all. In the 24th minute Pedro Acosta equalized from a penalty and Venezuela preserved the tie until the 70th minute. Then Chile scored its second goal and ten minutes later made it 3-1. Two players were red-carded.
Brazil was the favourite and at least photos show superiority and artistic one at that.
That seems just right – Brazil scoring. But it is a save…
Photos are misleading – it was not Brazil scoring, but Chile. First Ivo Basay gave Chile the lead and the first half ended with that. In the second half Chile scored 3 more goals – Basay scored his second and Juan Carlos Letelier scored twice as well. Brazil… scored a red card. Nelsinho was out of the match in the 57th minute. It was huge surprise – it was only the second victory of Chile against Brazil in the history of Copa America and the first one was in the long gone 1956. Brazil did not lose a game by 4 goals in Copa America since 1917. There was quite a lot to consider and reconsider about the future of the Brazilian team and in the same time Chile suddenly appeared to be a new mighty jewel. Basay was instant hero and Ivan Zamorano played his 10 minutes in the tournament replacing Basay – Chile looked bigger than they were: consider the cheek – substituting the great star with unknown youngster and that against Brazil!
Mascot was introduced at this tournament: Gardelito. The symbol of tango, Carlos Gardel, was used, unifying tango with football, a nice touch. However, the South American predicament did not leave much room for maneuvering: the only real change was making participation mandatory. But the structure was the same and there was no other realistic option – there were still 3 groups of 3 teams each and current Copa America holders directly qualified to the semi-finals along with the group winners. The tournament was played in June and July – in the middle of South American winter, which may have been convenient for TV and foreign-based clubs, but in Argentina it was to be cold, rainy, and muddy. Three cities were designated to host the tournament: Group A in Buenos Aires, Group B in Rosario, and Group C in Cordoba. Cordoba was hosting one of the semi-finals, Buenos Aires the other, and the final was to be played in Buenos Aires. Anyhow, that was not all – Copa America had its own logic, a bit mystifying one. Often teams were made of youngish players, some stars did not participate at all, there was a sense of experimenting and most often the tournament really signaled the beginning of new cycle for a national team. This issue was no exception.
1-Raul Roque Alfaro (Club Atlético River Plate- Buenos Aires)
1- César Chavez (Club Universitario de Deportes-Lima) (goalkeeper)
1-Hector Chiriboga (LDU (Liga Deportiva Universitaria) de Quito) (goalkeeper)
Violence took place quickly.
Well, it was the football of the 1980s with additional South American touch.
It was hard to imagine not only somebody prevailing, but imagining football played – it was more rugby.
Dramatic, surely, but perhaps more on still photos than in the real moving game. Uribe and Batista were red-carded in a matter of five minutes time. Maradona opened the result in the 47th minute, but Reyna equalized 10 minutes later and that was that: Argentina 1 – Peru 1.
Conditions were not helpful either – it was very wet pitch.
All ended well – Caniggia, so far coming as a substitute, opened the result in the 50th minute and later Maradona scored 2 more goals, the first from a penalty. 3-0 and Argentina very likely reached the semi-finals.
It was still more battle than anything – Vazquez (Peru) was sent off in the 83rd minute and by that time Ecuador was leading 1-0. La Rosa finally equalized in the 87 minute and that was it – both team going home after 1-1.
It was a return to abandoned format in new way – a sign of the increasing commercialization of the sport, but also modernization and reaching new audience: for the first time Copa America was televised to Europe and North America. In purely football terms… nothing new and little excitement. If that was the highest point of the year, the lowest was also in South America and tragic one at that: the death of the whole Alianza (Lima) team in airplane crash.
Like Sotil, Escobar debuted at 19 and immediately was noticed. Like Sotil, he quickly became national team player. Like Sotil, the newcomer was blessed with good teammates – one of them the flamboyant goalkeeper Rene Hiquita, already known to the world. Only Sotil was a striker and the Colombian – central defender.