The clash for supremacy between Europe and South America finally was back on solid track in 1981 – the Toyota Cup, which everybody still called the Intercontinental Cup, not only was stabilized by Japanese sponsorship and hosting, but was restored to the actual year: it was played in December, unlike the previous year, when it was scheduled after the end of the actual year. It was still a compromise, but there was no other convenient time in the season: European and South American tournaments run in different months, the calendar was busy. The winter was not to the liking of South American clubs, but they were not really complaining. The time, however, slightly benefited European teams – they were used to winter conditions. Flamengo and Liverpool were the contestants this time and it was hard to predict the outcome: Liverpool were the best club in Europe for some years. They were supposed to be in perfect form, for usually English teams gear to be in top form in the busy and tough December. But they were also so much involved in the domestic championship, so it was not entirely clear were they able to keep their minds on the Toyota Cup. After all, the busy December calendar often decides the championship of England. Flamengo had its own problems – they were busy with the new Brazilian championship in the difficult early stages, plus the Rio championship. English clubs were always considered to be those with most games played in a season, but Brazilians played more – who was the more tired was difficult to decide. Both opponents fielded their best, of course, and the match started in front of 62, 000, mostly Japanese, who may have been fairly ignorant of the game, but enthusiastically cheered both teams.
Neither team was prepared to give up, and seemingly the more physical British players – and also the more famous than the Brazilians – were going to run down Flamengo. But nothing like this happened:
Adilio scored.
Nunes scored twice. Flamengo won 3-0. Liverpool was destroyed – which was a surprise in Europe: not that Flamengo won, but that they won so confidently. In December… the British time.
Tokyo. Field: National Stadium.
December 13, 1981.
Referee: Vasquez (Mexico), att: 62000.
Flamengo (Brazil) 3-0 Liverpool (England)
Goals: Adilio and Nunes (2).
Flamengo: Raul – Leandro, Mozer, Junior, Marinho, Amdrade, Tita, Adilio,Zico, Lice, Nunes.
Liverpool: Grobbelaar – Neal, Thompson, Hansen, Lawrenson, R. Kennedy, Lee, McDermott (D. Johnson), Souness, C. Johnson, Dalglish.
Flamengo at the top of the world.
Liverpool before the start of the match. All smiles and confidence. But it was also all or nothing and the best team in Europe got nothing. There were a few newly added players, but to say that Liverpool was weaker than a year or two earlier would be wrong: for years the club was carefully adjusting the team, maintaining its class. Grobelaar was young and compared to Clemence, a weaker goalkeeper, but Clemence was no longer around and Grobelaar was to be constant feature of the very successful Liverpool in the 1980s. There was nothing really to blame Liverpool for – in the clash of two very different football schools, the South American one prevailed. No shame to lose to Brazilian team – even the British recognized the quality of samba football.
As for Flamengo – it was their year. Winning everything internationally and bursting with bright stars, rapidly becoming famous. Nunes was the new discovery and after scoring twice in the net of no other, but Liverpool, Nunes was expected to be the next great thing in the game – the expectations did not come true, but he had his moment of glory. The giant was Zico and there was no longer any doubt about it: he delivered. As it was the first internationally glorious year for Flamengo, the team instantly became a legend, cherished forever:
Today one can use the great winners as wallpaper for his/her computer. In real time – most of this boys became big international stars – in 1982 and 1986 – and... moved to European clubs. The legend lives, though.