Football Journey

Third place match.

07.06.90 (20.00) Bari, Stadio San Nicola

ITA – ENG 2:1 (0:0)

(+51000) Quiniou FRA, Hansal ARG, Röthlisberger SUI

ITA: Zenga – F.Baresi, Bergomi (c), de Agostini (68 Berti), Ferrara – Maldini,
Vierchowod, Giannini (90 Ferri), Ancelotti – R.Baggio, Schillaci
ENG: Shilton (c) – G.M.Stevens, Walker, Steven, Parker – Wright (73 Waddle),
McMahon (73 Webb), Platt, Dorigo – Lineker, Beardsley

1:0 R.Baggio 70, 1:1 Platt 80, 2:1 Schillaci 85 p

What is there to say… The match for 3rd place already had no meaning for teams and fans. Reserves got chance to play precisely because of that. Lose or win, no big deal. No wonder actual photos of teams are hardly available. Robson pretty much said in advance the match was not important, so why photograph… England lost, so what. Problems were presented in full during the important games, but even that was hardly something to worry Robson – he was leaving the national team anyway. Shilton made a record in both age and number of appearances for the national squad, simultaneously pointing at heavy problem: England already had no world-class goalkeeper behind Shilton. The following decade will make this problem particularly bad. There were other shaky elements in the team and no solution, but England made its best finish since 1970 and although bitter, the mood was – or at least presented as – upbeat and optimistic. Reality replaced by illusions and the English were not alone in that.

Bronze medals spelled out grand failure for Italy. They did not deserve better – from what was displayed on the field – but… since they were hardly worse than the rest, why not winning? Just and unjust criticism piled up – and Vicini was justly criticized for some obvious mistakes he made, but still he had a big standpoint for defense: Italy was unbeaten. Six wins and one tie – elimination came from penalty shootout. Right, wrong, whatever… Italy finished with bronze and nobody was happy of that.

½ finals.

03.07.90 (20.00) Napoli, Stadio San Paolo

ARG – ITA 1:1 (0:1, 1:1, 1:1) p. 4-3

(-60000) Vautrot FRA, Listkiewicz POL, Mikkelsen DAN

ARG: Goycoechea – Ruggeri, Simon, Olarticoechea, Serrizuela – Giusti,
Burruchaga, Basualdo (99 Batista), Calderón (46 Troglio) – Caniggia,
Maradona (c)
ITA: Zenga – F.Baresi, Bergomi (c), de Agostini, Ferri – Maldini, Donadoni,
De Napoli, Giannini (75 R.Baggio) – Vialli (71 Serena), Schillaci

0:1 Schillaci 17, 1:1 Caniggia 67 h

Penalties: 0:1 F.Baresi, 1:1 Serrizuela, 1:2 R.Baggio, 2:2 Burruchaga, 2:3 de
Agostini, 3:3 Olarticoechea, (3:3) Donadoni (save Goycoechea), 4:3 Maradona,
(4:3) Serena (save Goycoechea)

booked: Giannini / Batista, Olarticoechea, Caniggia, Ruggeri
sent off: Giusti (103)
Standing from left: Walter Zenga, Paolo Maldini, Fernando de Napoli, Riccardo Ferri, Beppe Bergomi; Crouching: Franco Baresi, Giuseppe Giannini, Roberto Donadoni, Toto Schillaci, Gianluca Vialli, Luigi de Agostini
Mega-disappointment – Italy was expected to win the world title at home. Blame was distributed in every direction – first, the venue. Naples was blamed by the Italian players and huge number of Italians, mostly from the North. Naples as a whole was blamed for not only unpatriotic, but outright hostile to its own national team. Locals were not exactly helpful, having to chose between their own god, Maradona, and the national team of Italy, which had 3 players of Napoli, but only De Napoli played against Argentina. The rest of team was made of… well, of regular enemies, normally trying to beat their own team and kick and push Maradona around. Those others preferred to play in Rome, not in Naples, expressed by somewhat mysteriously – in Naples, the Italians felt as if playing with chains, but in Rome they always felt free to fly. Vicini made mistakes, hard to miss: he started with Vialli, who disappointed so far and in this match again, so had to be replaced eventually, but Baggio was left out and used as a substitute, but Vicini fielded him too late. As a whole, Italy was not convincing so far and unlike 1982, sluggish and difficult start was not followed by gradual improvement and building of strength. The usual hopes that in the upcoming match Italy was finally going to unfold so far hidden qualities never materialized and even if the team was practically unbeaten, it did not look as winning team either. Playing for bronze medals was not at all what the whole country wanted from the team – hosting the World Cup automatically demanded victory and no excuses.

04.07.90 (20.00) Turin, Stadio Delle Alpi

GER – ENG 1:1 (0:0, 1:1, 1:1) p. 4-3

(-63000) Wright BRA, Pérez COL, Quiniou FRA

GER: Illgner – Brehme, Kohler, Augenthaler, Buchwald – Berthold, Hässler
(68 Reuter), Thon, Matthäus (c) – Klinsmann, Völler (33 Riedle)
ENG: Shilton (c) – Pearce, Walker, Butcher (72 Steven), Parker – Wright,
Waddle, Platt, Gascoigne – Lineker, Beardsley

1:0 Brehme 59, 1:1 Lineker 80

Penalties: 0:1 Lineker, 1:1 Brehme, 1:2 Beardsley, 2:2 Matthäus, 2:3 Platt, 3:3
Riedle, (3:3) Pearce (save Illgner), 4:3 Thon, (4:3) Waddle (missed)

booked: Brehme / Parker, Gascoigne
If Italy was only blamed to mythical extend, England went in the opposite direction – the tears of Gazza were hailed and made an emblem of this team. Yes, this was biggest English success since Mexico 1970. The boys were heroes, only a bit unlucky. Could have been world champions, if only Waddle did not miss the net… but that happens and look at Gazza’s face! England was hardly great so far and struggled a lot, even was lucky to go beyond the first round – and that was the objective view, omitting the tears of a player, who should have scored goals instead of crying.

¼ finals.

30.06.90 (17.00) Florence, Stadio Communale

ARG – JUG 0:0 (0:0, 0:0, 0:0) p 3-2

(-39000) Röthlisberger SUI, Hansal ALG, Jonini TUN

ARG: Goycoechea – Ruggeri, Simon, Olarticoechea (51 Troglio),
Serrizuela – Giusti, Burruchaga, Basualdo, Calderón (89 Dezotti) –
Caniggia, Maradona (c)
JUG: Ivković – Spasić, Hadžibegić, Jozić, Vulić – Šabanadžović,
D.Brnović, Sušić (60 Savićević), Stojković – Prosinečki, Vujović (c)

Penalties: 1:0 Serrizuela, (1:0) Stojković, 2:0 Burruchaga, 2:1 Prosinečki,
(2:1) Maradona (save Ivković), 2:2 Savicević, (2:2) Troglio (out), (2:2)
D.Brnović (save Goychoecea), 3:2 Desotti, (3:2) Hadžibegić (save Goychoecea)

booked: Serrizuela, Olartichoecea, Simon / Šabadžanović
sent off: Šabadzanović (31)

Bitter sweet case, Yugoslavia. Elimination by penalty shootout is something to lament, but not not really to feel disappointment. Speculative mythology builds on such moments: ‘if we had won, sky was the limit’. Perhaps. ‘If we had won, Yugoslavia would be here now – football would have saved it from disintegration and civil wars’. Highly unlikely. Reality: Yugoslavia did well and with bit of luck may have had do better. But the team was not exceptional – it was at par with the rest, no more. At least, nothing to be ashamed of.

30.06.90 (21.00) Roma, Stadio Olimpico

ITA – IRL 1:0 (1:0)

(+73000) Valente POR, Ulloa COS, Pérez COL

ITA: Zenga – F.Baresi, Bergomi (c), de Agostini, Ferri – Maldini, Donadoni,
de Napoli, Giannini (64 Ancelotti) – R.Baggio (72 Serena), Schillaci
IRL: Bonner – Morris, Staunton, McCarthy, Moran – McGrath, Houghton,
Townsend, Aldridge (78 Sheridan) – Sheedy, Quinn (54 Cascarino)

1:0 Schillaci 38

booked: de Agostini / Moran

The Irish did much better than anybody expected. Predictable performance – big hearts, excellent fighters, well motivated – which paid off to the delight of every Irish in the world and those cherishing underdogs, instant heroes, especially considering their limited skills and resources. Jack Charlton summed it all: ‘now I can sit and enjoy a beer with the boys’. Well deserved beer for all.

01.07.90 (17.00) Milano, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro)

GER – CZE 1:0 (1:0)

(+73000) Kohl AUT, Listkiewicz POL, Mikkelsen DAN

GER: Illgner – Brehme, Kohler, Augenthaler, Buchwald – Berthold, Littbarski,
Bein (84 Möller), Matthäus (c) – Klinsmann, Riedle
CZE: Stejskal – Kadlec, Kocian, Chovanec, Hašek (c) – Bilek (70 Nemeček),
Kubik (81 Griga), Moravčik, Straka – Skuhravý, Knofliček

1:0 Matthäus 24 p

booked: Klinsmann / Bilek, Straka, Knofliček
sent off: Moravčik (70)

Czechoslovakia fought well, holding its ground to the end. Nothing to be ashamed of, nothing excellent either. The players knew very well that good World Cup was going to give them good contracts with western professional clubs and did not miss the opportunity.

01.07.90 (21.00) Napoli, Stadio San Paolo

ENG – CAM 3:2 (1:0, 2:2, 3:2)

(+55000) Codesal MEX, Mandi BHR, Mauro USA

ENG: Shilton (c) – Pearce, Walker, Butcher (74 Steven), Parker – Wright, Waddle,
Platt, Gascoigne – Lineker, Barnes (46 Beardsley)
CAM: N’Kono – Ebwelle, Massing, Kunde, Tataw (c) – Pagal, Libiih, M’Fede
(63 Ekéké), Maboang (46 Milla) – Makanaky, Omam-Biyik

1:0 Platt 25 h, 1:1 Kunde 63 p, 1:2 Ekéké 65, 2:2 Lineker 83 p, 3:2 Lineker
105 p

booked: Pearce / Massing, Milla, N’Kono
Cameroon excelled and perhaps with just a bit of luck would have reached semi-finals. They were equal to the leading teams of the world – African football was no longer a joke, nor even ‘developing’: it was equal. With a little twist… a rather as comment on the state of game in 1990: a retired 38 years old player came to the World Cup and was one of the best on the field. Not even Maradona shined in 1990 as Milla shined. Wonderful in itself. Cameroon also played very well as a team and achieving equality with the leading countries, Camerron achieved it in full: they were the second most brutal team in the finals. Equality also meant ugliness, that was the sad reality.

1/8 finals.

23.06.90 (17.00) Napoli, Stadio San Paolo

CAM – COL 2:1 (0:0, 0:0, 0:0)

(+50000) Lanese ITA, Al-Sharif SYR, Ulloa COS

CAM: N’Kono – Ebwelle, Onana, N’Dip, Tataw (c) – Kana-Biyik, M’Bouh, M’Fede
(58 Milla), Maboang – Makanaky (71 Djonkep), Omam-Biyik
COL: Higuita – A.Herrera, Perea, Escobar, Gómez Monsalve – Gómez Jaramillo
(79 Redin), Alvarez, Valderrama (c) – Rincón, Fajardo (63 Iguaran), Estrada

1:0 Milla 106, 2:0 Milla 109, 2:1 Redin 116

booked: Kana Byik, N’Dip, M’Bouh, Onana / Perea, Gómez Monsalve

Colombia left good impression, but what a stupid way to get itself eliminated – the memorable idiocy of Rene Higuita going ahead and trying to trick Milla instead of passing the ball safely to one of his teammates. Yet, it was good going so far and at home satisfaction prevailed. Internationally, the world discovered that there is more talent in Colombia than Valderrama.

23.06.90 (21.00) Bari, Stadio San Nicola

CZE – COS 4:1 (1:0)

(-48000) Kirschen DDR, Pérez COL, d’Elia ITA

CZE: Stejskal – Kadlec, Kocian, Chovanec, Hašek (c) – Bilek, Kubik, Moravčik,
Straka – Skuhravý, Knofliček
COS: Barrantes – Flores (c), Montero, J.Obando (46 Medford), Chavez – González,
Chavarria (66 Guimaráes), Marchena, Cayasso – Ramirez, C.Jara

1:0 Skuhravý 11 h, 1:1 González 55 h, 2:1 Skuhravý 62 h, 3:1 Kubik 78 f,
4:1 Skuhravý 82 h

booked: Kocian, Straka, Hašek / González, Marchena

Costa Rica outdid itself. They lost badly at the 1/8 finals, but still it was proud exit. If anything, the Costaricans proved that anonymous team needs only to learn the rules of modern collective and pressing football to be equal to the big boys. Bora Milutinovic did good job and perhaps in Italy he got real international recognition. At home, the boys were instant heroes.

24.06.90 (17.00) Turin, Stadio Delle Alpi

ARG – BRA 1:0 (0:0)

(+61000) Quiniou FRA, Pairetto ITA, Junini TUN

ARG: Goycoechea – Simon, Ruggeri, Monzón, Olarticoechea – Giusti, Troglio
(63 Calderón), Caniggia – Basualdo, Burruchaga, Maradona (c)
BRA: Taffarel – Mauro Galvão (85 Renato), Ricardo Gomes (c), Ricardo
Rocha, Jorginho – Valdo, Dunga, Alemão (85 Silas), Branco – Careca, Müller

1:0 Caniggia 81

booked: Monzón, Giusti, Goycoechea / Ricardo Rocha, Mauro Galvão
sent off: Ricardo Rocha (85)

Against Argentina, standing from left: Taffarel, Rocha, Galvao, Ricardo, Jorginho, Branco.
Crouching: Muller, Alemao, Careca, Dunga, Valdo.
Brazil came to win the title, but had to go home early instead. Many things to blame for the failure, but at the end the most convenient excuse was the ‘poisoned water’ offered to Branco by the Argentines. Hardly the reason for missed scoring opportunities, though.
24.06.90 (21.00) Milano, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro)

GER – HOL 2:1 (0:0)

(-75000) Laustau ARG, Jacome ECU, Mauro USA

GER: Illgner – Reuter, Brehme, Kohler, Augenthaler – Buchwald,
Berthold, Matthäus (c), Littbarski – Völler, Klinsmann (78 Riedle)
HOL: Van Breukelen – Van Aerle (67 Kieft), Rijkaard, R.Koeman, van
Tiggelen – Wouters, Ri.Witschge (79 Gillhaus), Winter, van’t Schip – Van
Basten, Gullit (c)

1:0 Klinsmann 51, 2:0 Brehme 82, 2:1 R.Koeman 89 p

booked: Völler, Matthäus / Wouters, Van Basten, Rijkaard
sent off: Völler (22), Rijkaard (22)
For many, Holland vs Germany was the best match in the finals. Others remembered the spitting ‘incident’, leading to the expulsion of Rijkard and Voeller. If the Irish tale of agreement on the pitch between the teams to end in a tie is true, then there was just punishment for the crime of fixing a match – Holland had to face one of the strongest teams and on top of it, an archenemy. More ‘pedestrian’ reasons like bad form, tiredness, and internal frictions are better explanations, but the fact remains: the Germans scored, the Dutch did not and got vacation.

25.06.90 (17.00) Genoa, Stadio Luigi Ferraris

(-32000) Wright BRA, Maciel PAR, Mandi SRI

IRL – ROM 0:0 (0:0, 0:0, 0:0) p 5-4

IRL: Bonner – Morris, Staunton (95 O’Leary), McCarthy (c), Moran –
McGrath, Houghton, Townsend, Aldridge (19 Cascarino) – Sheedy, Quinn
ROM: Lung (c) – Rednic, Klein, Andone, Gh.Popescu – Rotariu, Sabău (96
D.Timofte), Hagi, Lupescu – Răducioiu (76 Lupu), Balint

Penalties: 0:1 Hagi, 1:1 Sheedy, 1:2 Lupu, 2:2 Houghton, 2:3 Rotariu, 3:3
Townsend, 3:4 Lupescu, 4:4 Cascarino, (4:4) D.Timofte (save Bonner), 4:5
O’Leary

booked: Aldridge, McGrath / Hagi, Lupu

Hard to blame Romania for anything – they were eliminated only in the penalty shootout and even that was a matter of one penalty saved by Bonner. No disappointment at the end. As for home reactions, it is hard to tell how much football was really on the minds of the Romanians in the middle of political turmoil, made present at the World Cup by country’s flags with a hole in the middle where the Communist emblem used to be. Most players were already noticed and after the World Cup quickly moved to play for foreign clubs.

25.06.90 (21.00) Roma, Stadio Olimpico

ITA – URU 2:0 (0:0)

(+73000) Courtney ENG, Petrović JUG, Röthlisberger SUI

ITA: Zenga – F.Baresi, Bergomi (c), De Agostini, Ferri – Maldini, Berti
(54 Serena), de Napoli, Giannini – R.Baggio (80 Vierchowod), Schillaci
URU: Alvez – Gutiérrez, de Leon, Dominguez, Pintos – Perdomo, Ostolaza
(80 Alzamendi), Francescoli (c) – Ruben Pereira, Aguilera (67 Sosa), Fonseca

1:0 Schillaci 65, 2:0 Serena 85 h

booked: Berti / Aguilera, Alvez, Perdomo, Gutiérrez

Italy was the favourite, so no much trouble over losing – Uruguay did well with its limited resources and Tabarez was judged favorably. The team lost some of their image of brutes, but hardly because of cleaning its play – it was just that most teams played brutal football and Uruguay blended in the environment.

26.06.90 (17.00) Verona, Stadio Marc Antonio Bentegodi

JUG – ESP 2:1 (0:0, 1:1, 2:1)

(+35000) Schmidhuber GER, Listkiewicz POL, Snoddy NIR

JUG: Ivković – Spasić, Hadžibegić, Jozić, D.Brnović – Sušić, Stojković,
Katanec (80 Vulić), Šabanadžović – Pančev (57 Savićević), Vujović (c)
ESP: Zubizarreta – Chendo, Villaroya, Gorriz, Andrinúa (49 Jimenez) –
Sanchis, Roberto, Vázquez, Butragueño (c – 80 Paz) – Michel, Salinas

1:0 Stojković 77, 1:1 Salinas 83, 2:1 Stojković 92 f

booked: Katanec, Vujović, Vulić / Roberto, Chendo
Spain performed more or less as expected – nothing especially bright and creative. Reaching the 1/8 finals was pretty much the limit. Once again the team disappointed the fans at home, but that was a tradition… and not taken as bad as in 1982.

26.06.90 (21.00) Bologna, Stadio Renato Dall’Ara

ENG – BEL 1:0 (0:0, 0:0, 0:0)

(+34000) Mikkelsen DAN, Kohl AUT, Takada JAP

ENG: Shilton (c) – Pearce, Walker, Butcher, Parker – Wright, Waddle, McMahon
(73 Platt), Gascoigne – Lineker, Barnes (76 Bull)
BEL: Preud’homme – Gerets, Clijsters, Demol, Grun – De Wolf, F.van der
Elst, Scifo, Versavel (118 Vervoort) – Degryse (66 Claesen), Ceulemans (c)

1:0 Platt 119

booked: Gascoigne
Belgium did not disappoint, did not excel. They delivered their usual sturdy and determined performance, but with little bright moments. To a point, it was too bad they were eliminated, for England struggled too and won the match only by a very late goal by substitute, but football counts goals, not wishes. One thing was sure – this was the twilight of some great heroes: Gerets, Ceulemans, very likely van der Elst and Preud’homme. And Guy Thys.

Group F.
11.06.90 (21.00) Cagliari, Stadio Sant’ Elia

ENG – IRL 1:1 (1:0)

(+35000) Schmidhuber GER, Fredriksson SWE, Röthlisberger SUI

ENG: Shilton – G.M.Stevens, Pearce, Walker, Butcher – Robson (c), Waddle,
Gascoigne, Barnes – Lineker (84 Bull), Beardsley (70 McMahon)
IRL: Bonner – Morris, Staunton, McCarthy (c), Moran – McGrath, Houghton,
Townsend, Aldridge (65 McLoughlin) – Cascarino, Sheedy

1:0 Lineker 8, 1:1 Sheedy 72

booked: McMahon

12.06.90 (21.00) Palermo, Stadio Della Favorita

EGY – HOL 1:1 (0:0)

(-34000) Soriano ESP, Codesal MEX, Cardellino URU

EGY: Shobeir – I.Hassan, Yassein, H.Ramzy, A.Ramzy (71 Tolba) – Yakan,
Youssef, Abdelghani, H.Hassan – Abdelhamid (c – 71 Abdelrahman), El Kass
HOL: Van Breukelen – Van Aerle, Rijkaard, R.Koeman, Van Tiggelen – Rutjes,
Wouters, E.Koeman (71 Ri.Witschge), Vanenburg (46 Kieft) – Van Basten,
Gullit (c)

0:1 Kieft 58, 1:1 Abdelghani 83 p

booked: A.Ramzy / Kieft

16.06.90 (17..00) Cagliari, Stadio Sant’ Elia

ENG – HOL 0:0

(+35000) Petrović JUG, Hensal ARG, Codesal MEX

ENG: Shilton – Parker, Pearce, Walker, Butcher – Wright, Robson (c – 71 Platt),
Waddle (65 Bull), Gascoigne – Barnes, Lineker
HOL: Van Breukelen – Van Aerle, Rijkaard, R.Koeman, Van Tiggelen – Wouters,
Ri.Witschge, van’t Schip (81 Kieft), Gillhaus – Van Basten, Gullit (c)

17.06.90 Palermo, Stadio Della Favorita

EGY – IRL 0:0

(+33000) Van Langenhove BEL, Quiniou FRA, Lo Bello ITA

EGY: Shobeir – I.Hassan, Yassein, H.Ramzy, Tolba (61 Aboud Zeid) – Yakan,
Youssef, Abdelghani (c), H.Hassan – Oraby, El Kass (77 Abdelhamid)
IRL: Bonner – Morris, Staunton, McCarthy (c), Moran – McGrath, Houghton,
Townsend, Aldridge (65 McLoughlin) – Cascarino (85 Quinn), Sheedy

booked: Shobeir / Morris

21.06.90 (21.00) Cagliari, Stadio Sant’ Elia

ENG – EGY 1:0 (0:0)

(-35000) Röthlisberger SUI, Codesal MEX, Ulloa COS

ENG: Shilton (c) – Parker, Pearce, Walker, Wright – McMahon, Waddle,
Gascoigne, Barnes – Lineker, Bull (84 Beardsley)
EGY: Shobeir – I.Hassan, Yassein, H.Ramzy, A.Ramzy – Yakan, Youssef,
Abdelghani, H.Hassan – El Kass (78 Soliman), Abdelhamid (c – 78 Abdelrahman)

1:0 Wright 59 h

booked: Beardsley / Abdelghani, I.Hassan

21.06.90 (21.00) Palermo, Stadio Della Favorita

HOL – IRL 1:1 (1:0)

(+33000) Vautrot FRA, Hansal ALG, Lorenc AUS

HOL: Van Breukelen – Van Aerle, Rijkaard, R.Koeman, Van Tiggelen –
Wouters, Ri.Witschge (60 Fräser), Kieft (80 Van Loen) – Gillhaus, Van Basten,
Gullit (c)
IRL: Bonner – Morris, Staunton, McCarthy (c), Moran, McGrath – Houghton,
Townsend, Aldridge (63 Cascarino) – Quinn, Sheedy (63 Whelan)

1:0 Gullit 10, 1:1 Quinn 71

booked: Rijkaard

1. ENG^ 3 1 2 0 4 2-1
2. IRL^ 3 0 3 0 3 2-2
3. HOL^ 3 0 3 0 3 2-2
4. EGY 3 0 2 1 2 1-2

NOTE: IRL awarded second place by lot
What a drama this group was – not that much because some great football was played, but because it was fantastic battle between… equals, ending after all games finished and a lot had to be drawn. Before the last round all teams had equal points and same goal-difference: 2 points each and 1-1. So far every game ended in a tie. At last England managed to extract 1-0 victory against Egypt and was happy. The Irish and the Dutch took different approach… which became known years after the game: when Niall Quinn equalized in the 71st minute the Irish captain approached Ruud Gullit and suggested they just keep the result for the remaining minutes. What was there to risk for? Both teams qualified with 1-1. Gullit agreed and the game ended 1-1. Interesting revelation, if true… for there were about 20 minutes to play not only between Holland and Ireland, but between England and Egypt as well and it was not at all sure England would keep their fragile lead. Nobody was qualified yet, actually the chances were still all teams to finish with same points and goal-difference. A massive problem for FIFA was looming – 4 teams with 3 points and 2-2 goal-difference… what then? Luckily, England preserved its lead and diminished the problem somewhat – first and last places in the group were decided on the field. Second and third position not – and a lot was drawn, which Ireland won and was placed second. If really Gullit agreed on a tie, now it was the moment to bitterly regret the agreement – placed 3rd, Holland was going to play against Germany in the next round. Anyhow, Ireland put very brave performance in the group and although Charlton was mad at his players for the tie with Egypt, it was quite a predictable outcome: the Irish usually played their toughest best against strong teams and against outsiders… well, they had a scoring problem. Holland also disappointed a bit, particularly against Egypt, but still was expected to return to their best against Germany, which was motivational factor for the Dutch on the same level as England spurred to life the Irish. Egypt played very well under the circumstances – they were equal to all others and too bad they had to exit, but they were going home without shame.

Group F. England, Holland, Republic of Ireland, Egypt
England

Head coach: Bobby Robson
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club
1
GK
Peter Shilton
18 September 1949 (aged 40)
118
Derby County
2
DF
Gary Stevens
27 March 1963 (aged 27)
39
Rangers
3
DF
Stuart Pearce
24 April 1962 (aged 28)
24
Nottingham Forest
4
MF
Neil Webb
30 July 1963 (aged 26)
19
Manchester United
5
DF
Des Walker
26 November 1965 (aged 24)
18
Nottingham Forest
6
DF
Terry Butcher
28 December 1958 (aged 31)
72
Rangers
7
MF
Bryan Robson (c)
11 January 1957 (aged 33)
85
Manchester United
8
MF
Chris Waddle
14 December 1960 (aged 29)
52
Marseille
9
FW
Peter Beardsley
18 January 1961 (aged 29)
40
Liverpool
10
FW
Gary Lineker
30 November 1960 (aged 29)
51
Tottenham Hotspur
11
MF
John Barnes
7 November 1963 (aged 26)
53
Liverpool
12
DF
Paul Parker
4 April 1964 (aged 26)
5
Queens Park Rangers
13
GK
Chris Woods
14 November 1959 (aged 30)
16
Rangers
14
DF
Mark Wright
1 August 1963 (aged 26)
24
Derby County
15
DF
Tony Dorigo
31 December 1965 (aged 24)
3
Chelsea
16
MF
Steve McMahon
20 August 1961 (aged 28)
12
Liverpool
17
MF
David Platt
10 June 1966 (aged 23)
5
Aston Villa
18
MF
Steve Hodge
25 October 1962 (aged 27)
22
Nottingham Forest
19
MF
Paul Gascoigne
27 May 1967 (aged 23)
11
Tottenham Hotspur
20
MF
Trevor Steven
21 September 1963 (aged 26)
26
Rangers
21
FW
Steve Bull
28 March 1965 (aged 25)
7
Wolverhampton Wanderers
22
GK
David Seaman*
19 September 1963 (aged 26)
3
Queens Park Rangers
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club

22
GK
Dave Beasant
20 March 1959 (aged 31)
2
Chelsea

* David Seaman was originally selected, but after the first game in Italy, he had to pull out of the squad due to a thumb injury and was replaced by Dave Beasant.
Group F deserved to be called ‘the group of death’ not only because this was not a group with one big favourite, but two, but largely because of the specifics of the participants. England could be seen as the best candidate for top place largely because of the internal frictions in the Dutch team. Bobby Robson was not only coach with massive reputation, but also considered the best man for the job in England and he had all best players at his disposal. The late injury of David Seaman was not a problem – not only because England used the new regulation of FIFA permitting to replace injured player after the team selections were officially submitted, but largely because Seaman was a mere third choice and Shilton, nearing his 41st birthday, was undisputed starter. High expectations in England, but outside it… the English national team lost edge long ago and was not seen as a prime candidate for the title. Opinions were cautious and skeptical and Robson somewhat concurred with his statement that there was never before so many equal teams at the finals and anybody could win, hard to predict.
Netherlands

Head coach: Leo Beenhakker
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club
1
GK
Hans van Breukelen
4 October 1956 (aged 33)
52
PSV
2
DF
Berry van Aerle
8 December 1962 (aged 27)
22
PSV
3
MF
Frank Rijkaard
30 September 1962 (aged 27)
42
Milan
4
DF
Ronald Koeman
21 March 1963 (aged 27)
43
Barcelona
5
DF
Adri van Tiggelen
16 June 1957 (aged 32)
40
Anderlecht
6
MF
Jan Wouters
17 July 1960 (aged 29)
30
Ajax
7
MF
Erwin Koeman
20 September 1961 (aged 28)
23
Mechelen
8
MF
Gerald Vanenburg
5 March 1964 (aged 26)
36
PSV
9
FW
Marco van Basten
31 October 1964 (aged 25)
35
Milan
10
MF
Ruud Gullit (c)
1 September 1962 (aged 27)
44
Milan
11
MF
Richard Witschge
20 September 1969 (aged 20)
4
Ajax
12
FW
Wim Kieft
12 November 1962 (aged 27)
27
PSV
13
DF
Graeme Rutjes
26 March 1960 (aged 30)
7
Mechelen
14
FW
John van ‘t Schip
30 November 1963 (aged 26)
22
Ajax
15
FW
Bryan Roy
12 February 1970 (aged 20)
2
Ajax
16
GK
Joop Hiele
25 December 1958 (aged 31)
6
Feyenoord
17
FW
Hans Gillhaus
5 November 1963 (aged 26)
2
Aberdeen
18
DF
Henk Fraser
7 July 1966 (aged 23)
2
Roda JC
19
FW
John van Loen
4 February 1965 (aged 25)
6
Roda JC
20
MF
Aron Winter
1 March 1967 (aged 23)
11
Ajax
21
DF
Danny Blind
1 August 1961 (aged 28)
5
Ajax
22
GK
Stanley Menzo
15 October 1963 (aged 26)
1
Ajax
The reasons the reigning European champions were somewhat less likely to top the group were the following: yes, Holland had had the best core of mega-stars among all finalists (Gullit-vanBasten-Rijkard-Ronald Koeman), surrounded by fantasticly talented teammates, but… on one hand, the internal tremors and scandals. The coach was replaced in the last minute, but Beenhakker was not ready-made solution – Gullit had problem with him, which poisoned the atmosphere. Himself, Gullit was not at its best and the same could be said for the other mega-stars, coming tired from grueling Italian and Spanish championships and European tournaments. The opponents in the group were another challenge – the Dutch had traditional respect for British football, seeing themselves as inferior, which made playing against British team always problematic and this time they had not one, but two British opponents. Nobody seriously thought the Dutch could be knocked down in the first round of the finals, but most likely they would finish second and with lots of sweat. However, the ironic words of Cruijff eventually proved prophetic – he said something like ‘they wriggle sensing disastrous failure’, which at first looked like his usual jab at the Dutch Federation, but as the championship progressed…
Republic of Ireland

Head coach:  Jack Charlton
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club
1
GK
Pat Bonner
24 May 1960 (aged 30)
38
Celtic
2
DF
Chris Morris
24 December 1963 (aged 26)
21
Celtic
3
DF
Steve Staunton
19 January 1969 (aged 21)
13
Liverpool
4
DF
Mick McCarthy (c)
7 February 1959 (aged 31)
42
Millwall
5
DF
Kevin Moran
29 April 1956 (aged 34)
55
Blackburn Rovers
6
MF
Ronnie Whelan
25 September 1961 (aged 28)
38
Liverpool
7
DF
Paul McGrath
4 December 1959 (aged 30)
36
Aston Villa
8
MF
Ray Houghton
9 January 1962 (aged 28)
29
Liverpool
9
FW
John Aldridge
18 September 1958 (aged 31)
30
Real Sociedad
10
FW
Tony Cascarino
1 September 1962 (aged 27)
21
Aston Villa
11
MF
Kevin Sheedy
21 October 1959 (aged 30)
28
Everton
12
DF
David O’Leary
2 May 1958 (aged 32)
51
Arsenal
13
MF
Andy Townsend
23 July 1963 (aged 26)
12
Norwich City
14
DF
Chris Hughton
11 December 1958 (aged 31)
50
Tottenham Hotspur
15
FW
Bernie Slaven
13 November 1960 (aged 29)
4
Middlesbrough
16
MF
John Sheridan
1 October 1964 (aged 25)
8
Sheffield Wednesday
17
FW
Niall Quinn*
6 October 1966 (aged 23)
15
Manchester City
18
FW
Frank Stapleton
10 July 1956 (aged 33)
71
Blackburn Rovers
19
FW
David Kelly
25 November 1965 (aged 24)
6
Leicester City
20
FW
John Byrne
1 February 1961 (aged 29)
19
Le Havre
21
MF
Alan McLoughlin
20 April 1967 (aged 23)
1
Swindon Town
22
GK
Gerry Peyton
20 May 1956 (aged 34)
28
Bournemouth
* Niall Quinn was registered as Ireland’s third goalkeeper
A team admired not for skills, but for spirit and after their brave performance at the 1988 European finals, the team was on a roll. It was expected not to disappoint, but to finish third anyway. Jack Charlton repeatedly said that motivation was not his concern – the Irish always gave their best and having England to play against was enough motivation. Skills were also not a concern – Charlton knew very well that he had a team with limited abilities and did not even thing of creating some fancy schemes. He only wanted the boys to do what they could and to press their opponents away from the Irish net. Simple concept, but realistic one. As a curious note, the Irish team was the only one at the finals with 2 goalkeepers – normally, every coach got the fear of some terrible injuries and took three keepers to the finals, but the new FIFA rule permitted late changes in the team lists, so why still keeping three keepers? Colombia listed just 2 keepers, but Charlton went outdid them by listing striker Niall Quinn as eventual third goalie. And why not? He had Irish at his hand – not particularly skillful players, but spirited enough to play at any position.
Egypt

Head coach: Mahmoud Al-Gohari
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club
1
GK
Ahmed Shobair
28 September 1960 (aged 29)
52
Al Ahly
2
DF
Ibrahim Hassan
10 August 1966 (aged 23)
45
Al Ahly
3
DF
Rabie Yassin
7 September 1960 (aged 29)
81
Al Ahly
4
DF
Hany Ramzy
10 March 1969 (aged 21)
28
Al Ahly
5
DF
Hesham Yakan
10 August 1962 (aged 27)
35
Zamalek
6
DF
Ashraf Kasem
25 July 1966 (aged 23)
38
Zamalek
7
MF
Ismail Youssef
28 June 1964 (aged 25)
29
Zamalek
8
MF
Magdi Abdelghani
27 July 1959 (aged 30)
N/A
Beira-Mar
9
FW
Hossam Hassan
10 August 1966 (aged 23)
49
Al Ahly
10
MF
Gamal Abdel-Hamid (c)
24 November 1957 (aged 32)
76
Zamalek
11
MF
Tarek Soliman
24 January 1962 (aged 28)
N/A
Al-Masry
12
MF
Taher Abouzeid
10 April 1962 (aged 28)
57
Al Ahly
13
DF
Ahmed Ramzy
25 October 1965 (aged 24)
27
Zamalek
14
MF
Alaa Maihoub
19 January 1963 (aged 27)
N/A
Al Ahly
15
MF
Saber Eid
1 May 1959 (aged 31)
N/A
Ghazl El-Mehalla
16
MF
Magdy Tolba
24 February 1964 (aged 26)
N/A
PAOK
17
FW
Ayman Shawky
9 December 1962 (aged 27)
N/A
Al Ahly
18
MF
Osama Orabi
22 January 1962 (aged 28)
N/A
Al Ahly
19
FW
Adel Abdel Rahman
11 December 1967 (aged 22)
N/A
Al Ahly
20
FW
Ahmed El-Kass
8 July 1965 (aged 24)
42
El-Olympi Alexandria
21
GK
Ayman Taher
7 January 1966 (aged 24)
N/A
Zamalek
22
GK
Thabet El-Batal
16 September 1953 (aged 36)
87
Al Ahly
The outsiders took the World Cup so seriously, they almost missed it. Long training camps were nothing new when World Cup preparations went and national teams often took precedence over clubs and even domestic schedules, but Egypt outdid everything done to this time: in the interest of the national team the domestic championship was canceled and Egypt decided to withdraw from the African championship finals, taking place in the spring before the World Cup. Algeria, hosting the African finas, took issue with the Egyptian idea and complained to FIFA. FIFA ruled out that if Egypt did not appear at the African finals, they will be expelled from the World Cup finals. Egypt sent its second team to Algeria and continued to prepare its bests for the World Cup. From aside, Egypt was unknown team with unknown coach, but African football vastly developed during the 1980s, so they were not taken as hopeless punchbag for the others – it was considered that team Egypt will put some fight and go home after a brave, but losing first round.

Group E.
12.06.90 (17.00) Verona, Stadio Marc Antonio Bentegodi

BEL – KOR 2:0 (0:0)

(~33000) Mauro USA, Courtney ENG, Snoddy NIR

BEL: Preud’homme – Gerets (c), Clijsters, Demol, de Wolf – Versavel,
F.van der Elst, Scifo, Degryse – Emmers, Van der Linden (46 Ceulemans)
KOR: Choi In-young – Hong Myung-bo, Gu Sang-bum, Choi Kang-hee, Chung
Young-hwang (c) – Park Kyung-joon, Noh Soo-jin (64 Lee Tae-ho), Kim Joo-sung,
Lee Young-jin (46 Cho Min-kook) – Hwang Seon-hong, Choi Soon-ho

1:0 Degryse 53, 2:0 de Wolf 64

booked: Choi Soon-ho

13.06.90 (17.00) Udine, Stadio Friuli

ESP – URU 0:0

(-36000) Kohl AUT, Spirin ZSR, Kirschen DDR

ESP: Zubizarreta – Chendo, Andrinúa, Sanchis, Jimenez – Michel,
Roberto, Villaroya (79 Rafa Paz), Vazquez – Butragueño (c), Manolo (79
Gorriz)
URU: Alvez – J.O.Herrera, Gutiérrez, de Leon, Dominguez – Perdomo,
Paz, Francescoli (c), Ruben Pereira (68 Correa) – Alzamendi (65 Aguilera),
Sosa

(73 Sosa missed penalty)

booked: Jimenez, Villaroya / Perdomo, Francescoli

17.06.90 (21.00) Udine, Stadio Friuli

ESP – KOR 3:1 (1:1)

(-33000) Jacome ECU, Loustau ARG, Magni ITA

ESP: Zubizarreta – Chendo, Andrinúa, Sanchis, Roberto (81 Bakero) –
Villaroya, Vázquez, Gorris – Butragueño (c – 77 Gómez), Michel, Salinas
KOR: Choi In-young – Hong Myung-bo, Gu Sang-bum, Choi Kang-hee (70
Chung Soo-jin), Yoon Deuk-yeo, Park Kyung-joon, Chong Hae-won (53 Noh Soo-jin),
Kim Joo-sung, Hwang Bo-kwan – Byun Byung-joo, Choi Soon-ho

1:0 Michel 22, 1:1 Hwang Bo-kwan 42, 2:1 Michel 61 f, 3:1 Michel 81

booked: Chung Hae-won, Yoon Deuk-yeo, Hwang Bo-kwan

17.06.90 (21.00) Verona, Stadio Marc Antonio Bentegodi

BEL – URU 3:1 (2:0)

(-34000) Kirschen DDR, Mikkelsen DAN, Spirin ZSR

BEL: Preud’homme – Gerets, Grün, Clijsters (46 Emmers), Demol – de
Wolf, Versavel (68 Vervoort), F.van der Elst, Scifo – Degryse, Ceulemans (c)
URU: Alvez – J.O.Herrera, Gutiérrez, de Leon, Dominguez – Perdomo,
Francescoli (c), Paz, Ostolaza (56 Bengoechea) – Alzamendi (46 Aguilera),
Sosa

1:0 Clijsters 16 h, 2:0 Scifo 22, 3:0 Ceulemans 48, 3:1 Bengoechea 74

booked: Gerets / Sosa
sent off: Gerets (41)

21.06.90 (17.00) Verona, Stadio Marc Antonio Bentegodi

ESP – BEL 2:1 (2:1)

(-36000) Loustau ARG, Macial PAR, Mauro USA

ESP: Zubizarreta – Chendo, Andrinúa, Sanchis, Roberto – Villaroya,
Vázquez, Gorriz – Butragueño (c – 61 Alkorta), Michel, Salinas (89
Pardeza)
BEL: Preud’homme – Staelens (79 Van der Linden), Albert, Emmers
(32 Plovie), Demol – de Wolf, Vervoort, F.van der Elst, Scifo – Degryse,
Ceulemans (c)

1:0 Michel 20 p, 1:1 Vervoort 28 f, 2:1 Gorriz 37 h (59 Scifo missed
penalty)

21.06.90 (17.00) Udine, Stadio Friuli

URU – KOR 1:0 (0:0)

(+29000) Lanese ITA, Diramba GAB, Jonini TUN

URU: Alvez – J.O.Herrera, Gutiérrez, de Leon, Dominguez – Perdomo,
Francescoli (c), Paz, Ostolaza (46 Aguilera), Martinez, Sosa (64 Fonseca)
KOR: Choi In-young – Hong Myung-bo, Choi Kang-hee, Yoon Deuk-yeo, Park
Kyung-joon – Lee Heung-sil, Kim Joo-sung, Chung Jong-soo, Hwang Bo-kwan (83
Chung Hae-won) – Byun Byung-joo (43 Hwang Seon-hong), Choi Soon-ho

1:0 Fonseca 90 h

booked: Ostolaza, Herrera / Lee Heung-sil, Choi Kwang-heo
sent off: Yoon Deuk-yeo (70)

1. ESP^ 3 2 1 0 5 5-2
2. BEL^ 3 2 0 1 4 6-3
3. URU^ 3 1 1 1 3 2-3
4. KOR 3 0 0 3 0 1-6
Expectations fulfilled, including those of the top three teams – they qualified to the next stage. However, there was no team which excelled and looked like going all the way the final of the tournament.

Group E. Spain, Belgium, Uruguay, South Korea.
Spain

Head coach: Luis Suárez
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club
1
GK
Andoni Zubizarreta
23 October 1961 (aged 28)
49
Barcelona
2
DF
Chendo
12 October 1961 (aged 28)
22
Real Madrid
3
DF
Manuel Jiménez
21 January 1964 (aged 26)
13
Sevilla
4
DF
Genar Andrinúa
9 May 1964 (aged 26)
24
Athletic Bilbao
5
DF
Manuel Sanchís
23 May 1965 (aged 25)
30
Real Madrid
6
MF
Rafael Martín Vázquez
25 September 1965 (aged 24)
22
Real Madrid
7
FW
Miguel Pardeza
8 February 1965 (aged 25)
4
Real Zaragoza
8
DF
Quique Sánchez Flores
2 February 1965 (aged 25)
11
Valencia
9
FW
Emilio Butragueño (c)
22 July 1963 (aged 26)
49
Real Madrid
10
MF
Fernando
11 September 1965 (aged 24)
2
Valencia
11
MF
Francisco Villarroya
6 August 1966 (aged 23)
7
Real Zaragoza
12
DF
Rafael Alkorta
16 September 1968 (aged 21)
1
Athletic Bilbao
13
GK
Juan Carlos Ablanedo
2 September 1963 (aged 26)
2
Sporting Gijón
14
DF
Alberto Górriz
16 February 1958 (aged 32)
8
Real Sociedad
15
MF
Roberto
5 July 1962 (aged 27)
22
Barcelona
16
MF
José Mari Bakero
11 February 1963 (aged 27)
11
Barcelona
17
MF
Fernando Hierro
23 March 1968 (aged 22)
2
Real Madrid
18
MF
Rafael Paz
2 August 1965 (aged 24)
3
Sevilla
19
FW
Julio Salinas
11 September 1962 (aged 27)
26
Barcelona
20
FW
Manolo
17 January 1965 (aged 25)
13
Atlético Madrid
21
MF
Míchel
23 March 1963 (aged 27)
44
Real Madrid
22
GK
José Manuel Ochotorena
16 January 1961 (aged 29)
1
Valencia
Hard to predict group, but with some reservations and if anything did not go wrong, Spain was the likeliest candidate for the 1st place. Tough and experienced team, hard to beat and, in a good day, lethal in attack. It was not that some great football was expected by the Spaniards, but the make of the group – every team was a fighter and that was environment suitable to team Spain. Then again, Spain most often failed to fulfill expectations.
Belgium

Head coach: Guy Thys
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps

Club
1
GK
Michel Preud’homme
24 January 1959 (aged 31)
23
Mechelen
2
DF
Eric Gerets
18 May 1954 (aged 36)
80
PSV
3
DF
Philippe Albert
10 August 1967 (aged 22)
7
Mechelen
4
DF
Lei Clijsters
6 November 1956 (aged 33)
36
Mechelen
5
MF
Bruno Versavel
27 August 1967 (aged 22)
14
Mechelen
6
MF
Marc Emmers
25 February 1966 (aged 24)
16
Mechelen
7
DF
Stéphane Demol
11 March 1966 (aged 24)
29
Porto
8
MF
Franky Van der Elst
30 April 1961 (aged 29)
37
Club Brugge
9
FW
Marc Degryse
4 September 1965 (aged 24)
24
Anderlecht
10
MF
Enzo Scifo
19 February 1966 (aged 24)
39
Auxerre
11
MF
Jan Ceulemans (c)
28 February 1957 (aged 33)
88
Club Brugge
12
GK
Gilbert Bodart
2 September 1962 (aged 27)
5
Standard Liège
13
DF
Georges Grün
25 January 1962 (aged 28)
47
Anderlecht
14
FW
Nico Claesen
7 October 1962 (aged 27)
35
Royal Antwerp
15
DF
Jean-François De Sart
18 December 1961 (aged 28)
3
FC Liège
16
DF
Michel De Wolf
19 January 1958 (aged 32)
27
Kortrijk
17
DF
Pascal Plovie
7 May 1965 (aged 25)
2
Club Brugge
18
MF
Lorenzo Staelens
30 April 1964 (aged 26)
1
Club Brugge
19
FW
Marc Van Der Linden
4 February 1964 (aged 26)
17
Anderlecht
20
GK
Filip De Wilde
5 July 1964 (aged 25)
2
Anderlecht
21
MF
Marc Wilmots
22 February 1969 (aged 21)
2
Mechelen
22
MF
Patrick Vervoort
17 January 1965 (aged 25)
27
Anderlecht
Troubles put behind, Belgium had strong points – old master at the helm, well known sturdy stars and plenty of experience. Tradition also favoured them – as a rule, the Belgians played well at finals. However, the strength of the team was also its weakness: the key figures were getting too old and there was no new talent equaling the old feet. Only Enzo Scifo, who was already well known, but he was practically the only great young player. So, Belgium could finish even first, but also third.
Uruguay

Head coach: Óscar Tabárez
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps

Club
1
GK
Fernando Álvez
4 September 1959 (aged 30)
15
Peñarol
2
DF
Nelson Gutiérrez
13 April 1962 (aged 28)
53
Hellas Verona
3
DF
Hugo de León
27 February 1958 (aged 32)
44
River Plate
4
DF
José Oscar Herrera
17 June 1965 (aged 24)
27
Figueres
5
MF
José Perdomo
5 January 1965 (aged 25)
23
Genoa
6
DF
Alfonso Domínguez
24 September 1965 (aged 24)
27
Peñarol
7
FW
Antonio Alzamendi
7 June 1956 (aged 34)
28
Logroñés
8
MF
Santiago Ostolaza
10 July 1962 (aged 27)
25
Cruz Azul
9
MF
Enzo Francescoli (c)
12 November 1961 (aged 28)
42
Marseille
10
MF
Rubén Paz
8 August 1959 (aged 30)
42
Genoa
11
FW
Rubén Sosa
25 April 1966 (aged 24)
27
Lazio
12
GK
Eduardo Pereira
21 March 1954 (aged 36)
10
Independiente
13
DF
Daniel Revelez
30 September 1959 (aged 30)
12
Nacional
14
DF
José Pintos Saldanha
25 March 1964 (aged 26)
9
Nacional
15
MF
Gabriel Correa
13 January 1968 (aged 22)
18
Peñarol
16
MF
Pablo Bengoechea
27 June 1965 (aged 24)
17
Sevilla
17
FW
Sergio Martínez
15 February 1969 (aged 21)
14
Defensor Sporting
18
FW
Carlos Aguilera
21 September 1964 (aged 25)
50
Genoa
19
FW
Daniel Fonseca
13 September 1969 (aged 20)
4
Nacional
20
MF
Ruben Pereira
28 January 1968 (aged 22)
18
Danubio
21
MF
William Castro
22 May 1962 (aged 28)
8
Nacional
22
GK
Javier Zeoli
2 May 1962 (aged 28)
14
Danubio
Uruguay was expected – or rather wished – to finish 3rd and go home. Their ugly performance at the 1986 World Cup was not forgotten at all and it was easy to pile up negative points on such a base: Oscar Tabarez was still unknown coach, so little was expected from him and there were big doubts that he will change Uruguayan attitudes – after all, his promise to make team Uruguay more attractive were hard to trust, for he was talking in the same time of strong defense and fighting spirit and everybody remembered what that meant in 1986. And since the players were pretty much the same… Uruguay had small pool of players, so like it or not, coach’s options were limited, but the big stars were getting old (Francescoli was already 30 years old, Alzamendi – 34, De Leon – 32, Paz – 30) and there was no new exciting talent. With some luck Uruguay may finish second, most likely and wished – third.
South Korea

Head coach:  Lee Hoe-taik
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club
1
GK
Kim Poong-joo
1 October 1961 (aged 28)
N/A
Daewoo Royals
2
DF
Park Kyung-hoon
19 January 1961 (aged 29)
N/A
POSCO Atoms
3
DF
Choi Kang-hee
12 April 1959 (aged 31)
N/A
Hyundai Horangi
4
DF
Yoon Deok-yeo
25 March 1961 (aged 29)
N/A
Hyundai Horangi
5
DF
Chung Yong-hwan (c)
10 February 1960 (aged 30)
N/A
Daewoo Royals
6
FW
Lee Tae-ho
29 January 1961 (aged 29)
N/A
Daewoo Royals
7
MF
Noh Soo-jin
10 February 1962 (aged 28)
N/A
Yukong Elephants
8
FW
Chung Hae-won
1 July 1959 (aged 30)
N/A
Daewoo Royals
9
MF
Hwangbo Kwan
1 March 1965 (aged 25)
N/A
Yukong Elephants
10
FW
Lee Sang-yoon
10 April 1969 (aged 21)
N/A
Ilhwa Chunma
11
FW
Byun Byung-joo
26 April 1961 (aged 29)
N/A
Hyundai Horangi
12
MF
Lee Heung-sil
10 July 1961 (aged 28)
N/A
POSCO Atoms
13
DF
Chung Jong-soo
27 March 1961 (aged 29)
N/A
Hyundai Horangi
14
FW
Choi Soon-ho
10 January 1962 (aged 28)
76
Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso
15
DF
Cho Min-kook
5 July 1963 (aged 26)
N/A
Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso
16
MF
Kim Joo-sung
17 January 1966 (aged 24)
N/A
Daewoo Royals
17
DF
Gu Sang-bum
15 June 1964 (aged 25)
N/A
Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso
18
FW
Hwang Sun-hong
14 July 1968 (aged 21)
N/A
Konkuk University
19
GK
Jeong Gi-dong
13 May 1961 (aged 29)
N/A
POSCO Atoms
20
DF
Hong Myung-bo
12 February 1969 (aged 21)
4
Korea University
21
GK
Choi In-young
5 March 1962 (aged 28)
N/A
Hyundai Horangi
22
MF
Lee Young-jin
27 October 1963 (aged 26)
N/A
Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso
By now South Korea was taken seriously – the strongest Asian team, good developing program, familiarity with World Cup finals, in which the Koreans already became regular participants. It was the make of the group working against them – in a group of physically strong and fearless fighters individual talent seemed decisive and unlike the other teams, South Korea had strong collective, but no outstanding star. Only miracle – collective failure of all other teams – could propel them to higher position. South Koreans were expected to be difficult opponent, to fight every game to the last second, and to finish last.

Group D.

09.06.90 (17.00) Bologna, Stadio Renato Dall’Ara

COL – EMI 2:0 (0:0)

(+30000) Courtney ENG, Snoddy NIR, Takada JAP

COL: Higuita – A.Herrera, Perea, Escobar, Gomez Monsalvez – Alvarez,
Gomez Jaramildo, Valderrama (c), Redin – Iguaran (78 Estrada), Rincon
ZEA: Faraj – E.M.Abdulrahman (52 Ali Sultan), I.M.Abdulrahman, Mohammed,
K.G.Mubarak, Abdullah, N.K.Mubarak, Abbas, Jumaa – F.K.Mubarak (c – 52 Bilal),
Al Talyani

1:0 Redin 50 h, 2:0 Valderrama 86

booked: N.K.Mubarak, Mohammed, I.M.Abdulrahman

10.06.90 (21.00) Milano, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro)

GER – JUG 4:1 (2:0)

(~75000) Mikkelsen DAN, Listkiewicz POL, Mandi BHR

GER: Illgner – Reuter, Brehme, Augenthaler, Buchwald – Berthold,
Hässler (75 Möller), Matthäus (c), Bein (75 Littbarski) – Völler, Klinsmann
JUG: Ivković, Spasić, Vulić, Hadžibegić, Jozić, Sušić (56 Prosinečki),
Baljić, Stojković, Katanec, Zl.Vujović, Savičević (56 D.Brnović)

1:0 Matthäus 29, 2:0 Klinsmann 39 h, 2:1 Jozić 55 h, 3:1 Matthäus 65,
4:1 Völler 71

booked: Brehme

14.06.90 (17.00) Bologna, Stadio Renato Dall’Ara

JUG – COL 1:0 (0:0)

(+32000) Agnolin ITA, Diramba GAB, Jonini TUN

JUG: Ivković – Spasić, Stanojković, Hadžibegić, Jozić – Susić,
Stojković, Šabanadžović, Katanec (46 Jarni) – Zl.Vujović (c – 55 Pančev),
D.Brnović
COL: Higuita – A.Herrera, Perea, Escobar, Gómez Monsalvez – Alvarez,
Gómez Jaramillo, Valderrama (c), Redin (81 Estrada) – Iguaran, Rincón
(70 Hernández)

1:0 Jozić 75 (81 Higuita saved a penalty by Hadžibegić)

booked: Stojković

15.06.90 (21.00) Milano, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro)

GER – EMI 5:1 (2:0)

(+71000) Spirin ZSR, Pairetto ITA, Takada JAP

GER: Illgner – Reuter, Brehme, Augenthaler, Buchwald – Berthold
(46 Littbarski), Hässler, Matthäus (c), Bein, Völler, Klinsmann (73 Riedle)
EMI: Faraj – E.M.Abdulrahman, I.M.Abdulrahman (84 Al Haddan), Y.H.Mohammed,
K.G.Mubarak, Abdullah (c), N.K.Mubarak, Abbas, K.I.Mubarak (81 Hussain) –
Jumaa, Al Talyani

1:0 Völler 35, 2:0 Klinsmann 36 h, 2:1 K.M.Mubarak 46, 3:1 Matthäus 47, 4:1
Bein 59, 5:1 Völler 75 h

booked: Brehme / Mohammed, Abbas

19.06.90 (17.00) Milano, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro)

COL – GER 1:1 (0:0)

(+72000) Snoddy NIR, Mandi SRI, Lanese ITA

COL: Higuita – A.Herrera, Perea, Escobar, Gómez Monsalvez, Alvarez,
Gómez Jaramillo, Valderrama (c), Fajardo – Estrada, Rincón
GER: Illgner – Reuter, Pflügler, Augenthaler, Buchwald – Berthold,
Hässler (88 Thon), Matthäus (c), Bein (46 Littbarski) – Völler, Klinsmann

0:1 Littbarski 88, 1:1 Rincón 90
+

booked: Herrera, Gómez Jaramillo, Alvarez / Berthold

19.06.90 (17.00) Bologna, Stadio Renato Dall’Ara

JUG – EMI 4:1 (2:1)

(-28000) Takada JAP, Mikkelsen DAN, Vautrot FRA

JUG: Ivković – Spasić, Stanojković, Hadžibegić, Jozić – Sušić, Stojković,
Pančev, Zl.Vujović (c – 70 Vulić) – D.Brnović, Šabanadžović (79 Prosinečki)
EMI: Faraj – E.M.Abdulrahman, I.M.Abdulrahman, Al Haddad, K.G.Mubarak –
N.K.Mubarak (36 Ali Sultan), Abbas, Abudllah (c) – Jumaa (46 F.K.Mubarak),
Al Talyani, K.I.Mubarak

1:0 Sušić 8 h, 2:0 Pančev 9, 2:1 Jumaa 23 h, 3:1 Pančev 46, 4:1 Prosinečki
90

booked: D.Brnović, Šabadžanović, Pančev / K.G.Mubarak
sent off: K.G.Mubarak (76)

1. GER^ 3 2 1 0 5 10-3
2. JUG^ 3 2 0 1 4 6-5
3. COL^ 3 1 1 1 3 3-2
4. EMI 3 0 0 3 0 2-11
The group ended according to predictions. The Germans won comfortably, but their football was not convincing. If anything, Matthaus was praised as strong leader of the team – particularly by Paul Breitner, now a commentator. It was long wait, though – Matthaus was already 29 years old and compared to earlier leaders, including Breitner, he ‘matured’ very slowly. Yugoslavia had its moments, but that was that… moments. Colombia did well – they finished 3rd, but went ahead with their 3 points, which was practically a success. UAE played well for an outsider and as a typical outsider lost all games.

Group D. West Germany, Yugoslavia, Colombia, United Arab Emirates.
West Germany

Head coach: Franz Beckenbauer
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club
1
GK
Bodo Illgner
7 April 1967 (aged 23)
15
1. FC Köln
2
DF
Stefan Reuter
16 October 1966 (aged 23)
16
Bayern Munich
3
DF
Andreas Brehme
9 November 1960 (aged 29)
51
Internazionale
4
DF
Jürgen Kohler
6 October 1965 (aged 24)
27
Bayern Munich
5
DF
Klaus Augenthaler
26 September 1957 (aged 32)
20
Bayern Munich
6
DF
Guido Buchwald
24 January 1961 (aged 29)
32
VfB Stuttgart
7
MF
Pierre Littbarski
16 April 1960 (aged 30)
67
1. FC Köln
8
MF
Thomas Häßler
30 May 1966 (aged 24)
12
1. FC Köln
9
FW
Rudi Völler
13 April 1960 (aged 30)
63
Roma
10
MF
Lothar Matthäus (c)
21 March 1961 (aged 29)
74
Internazionale
11
FW
Frank Mill
23 July 1958 (aged 31)
17
Borussia Dortmund
12
GK
Raimond Aumann
12 October 1963 (aged 26)
3
Bayern Munich
13
FW
Karl-Heinz Riedle
16 September 1965 (aged 24)
6
Werder Bremen
14
DF
Thomas Berthold
12 November 1964 (aged 25)
35
Roma
15
MF
Uwe Bein
26 September 1960 (aged 29)
6
Eintracht Frankfurt
16
DF
Paul Steiner
23 January 1957 (aged 33)
1
1. FC Köln
17
MF
Andreas Möller
2 September 1967 (aged 22)
10
Borussia Dortmund
18
FW
Jürgen Klinsmann
30 July 1964 (aged 25)
18
Internazionale
19
DF
Hans Pflügler
27 March 1960 (aged 30)
10
Bayern Munich
20
MF
Olaf Thon
1 May 1966 (aged 24)
33
Bayern Munich
21
MF
Günter Hermann
5 December 1960 (aged 29)
2
Werder Bremen
22
GK
Andreas Köpke
12 March 1962 (aged 28)
1
1. FC Nürnberg
Easy group for West Germany, which was also one of the biggest favourites at the finals. The team improved considerably after the 1988 fiasco, although its most formidable line was defense – even Beckenbauer was trumpeting this and there were observers going as far as to claim it the best ever defensive line. Strong and experienced team, but below the surface… first of all, Beckenbauer already announced that he was stepping down after the finals and his assistant Berti Vogts was to become the German head coach. Looked like more as a precaution against failure than anything else – 1988 was not really forgotten and if the team failed again… Which was quite possible, for the selection was practically limited to 16 players and behind the famous stars… one just have to take a look at the reserves: Raymond Aumann, Paul Steiner, Gunter Hermann… it was clear as day that they will never play a minute. And the team was getting older – 12 player over 28 and most interestingly was the already mentioned additions were ancient as well: Steiner was 33 years old, Hermann – 29. Looked like there was no enough young talent in the country and Beckenbauer had to look among the veterans. West Germany, which was not even sure under what name will go after the unification, was favourite as ever, but it was quite doubtful they will win the championship.
Yugoslavia

Head coach: Ivica Osim
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club
1
GK
Tomislav Ivković
11 August 1960 (aged 29)
26
Sporting CP
2
DF
Vujadin Stanojković
10 September 1963 (aged 26)
16
Partizan
3
DF
Predrag Spasić
13 May 1965 (aged 25)
18
Partizan
4
DF
Zoran Vulić
4 October 1961 (aged 28)
15
Mallorca
5
DF
Faruk Hadžibegić
7 October 1957 (aged 32)
45
Sochaux
6
DF
Davor Jozić
22 September 1960 (aged 29)
17
Cesena
7
MF
Dragoljub Brnović
2 November 1963 (aged 26)
20
Metz
8
MF
Safet Sušić
13 April 1955 (aged 35)
47
Paris Saint-Germain
9
FW
Darko Pančev
7 September 1965 (aged 24)
14
Red Star Belgrade
10
MF
Dragan Stojković
3 March 1965 (aged 25)
33
Red Star Belgrade
11
FW
Zlatko Vujović (c)
26 August 1958 (aged 31)
63
Paris Saint-Germain
12
GK
Fahrudin Omerović
26 August 1961 (aged 28)
0
Partizan
13
MF
Srečko Katanec
16 July 1963 (aged 26)
26
Sampdoria
14
FW
Alen Bokšić
21 January 1970 (aged 20)
0
Hajduk Split
15
MF
Robert Prosinečki
12 January 1969 (aged 21)
7
Red Star Belgrade
16
MF
Refik Šabanadžović
2 August 1965 (aged 24)
4
Red Star Belgrade
17
MF
Robert Jarni
26 October 1968 (aged 21)
1
Hajduk Split
18
DF
Mirsad Baljić
4 March 1962 (aged 28)
28
Sion
19
MF
Dejan Savićević
15 September 1966 (aged 23)
13
Red Star Belgrade
20
FW
Davor Šuker
1 January 1968 (aged 22)
0
Dinamo Zagreb
21
DF
Andrej Panadić
9 March 1969 (aged 21)
3
Dinamo Zagreb
22
GK
Dragoje Leković
21 November 1967 (aged 22)
3
Budućnost Titograd
Expected to finish second in the group. Big name coach and solid squad in which starred Dragan Stojkovic. Not exactly well balanced team, especially when compared with squads from the past, but there was fantastic young talent, which Osim did not hesitate to include in his selection: Jarni, Suker, Savicevic, Prosinecki, Boksic. Thus, the absence of the suspended Zvonimir Boban was no big deal, but the new talent was mostly strikers and that was the weakness of the team: too many bright attackers, not enough good defenders. That is, they were good, not great – except Katanec. Yugoslavia was expected to finish second in the group, but there was also caution – traditionally moody team, the Yugoslavs could easily and for no obvious reason fell apart.
Colombia

Head coach: Francisco Maturana
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club
1
GK
René Higuita
27 August 1966 (aged 23)
33
Atlético Nacional
2
DF
Andrés Escobar
13 March 1967 (aged 23)
N/A
Young Boys
3
DF
Gildardo Gómez
13 October 1963 (aged 26)
N/A
Atlético Nacional
4
DF
Luis Fernando Herrera
12 June 1962 (aged 27)
N/A
Atlético Nacional
5
MF
León Villa
12 January 1960 (aged 30)
N/A
Atlético Nacional
6
DF
José Ricardo Pérez
24 October 1963 (aged 26)
N/A
Atlético Nacional
7
FW
Carlos Estrada
1 November 1961 (aged 28)
N/A
Millonarios
8
MF
Gabriel Gómez
8 December 1959 (aged 30)
N/A
Independiente Medellín
9
FW
Miguel Guerrero
7 September 1967 (aged 22)
N/A
América de Cali
10
MF
Carlos Valderrama (c)
2 September 1961 (aged 28)
26
Montpellier
11
MF
Bernardo Redín
26 February 1963 (aged 27)
N/A
Deportivo Cali
12
GK
Eduardo Niño
8 August 1967 (aged 22)
N/A
Independiente Santa Fe
13
DF
Carlos Hoyos
28 February 1962 (aged 28)
24
Atlético Junior
14
MF
Leonel Álvarez
29 July 1965 (aged 24)
35
Atlético Nacional
15
DF
Luis Carlos Perea
29 December 1963 (aged 26)
33
Atlético Nacional
16
FW
Arnoldo Iguarán
18 January 1957 (aged 33)
58
Millonarios
17
DF
Geovanis Cassiani
10 January 1970 (aged 20)
N/A
Atlético Nacional
18
DF
Wílmer Cabrera
15 September 1967 (aged 22)
N/A
América de Cali
19
MF
Freddy Rincón
14 August 1966 (aged 23)
9
América de Cali
20
MF
Luis Fajardo
18 August 1963 (aged 26)
N/A
Atlético Nacional
21
DF
Alexis Mendoza
8 November 1961 (aged 28)
N/A
Atlético Junior
22
FW
Rubén Darío Hernández
19 February 1965 (aged 25)
N/A
Millonarios
Up and coming coach and team, but still unknown – except Valderrama and Higuita. It was just the second time Colombia reached World Cup finals and since the first time was well back in 1962, no wonder nobody was taking them very seriously: yes, they most likely will try their best and Valderrama was great force, but look at the others – all play in Colombia, except Valderrama and Escobar and even they were hardly much looked after players, but playing for small French and Swiss clubs. If Colombia finished second in the group, that could most likely be due to German and Yugoslav failures.
United Arab Emirates

Head coach:  Carlos Alberto Parreira

No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club
1
GK
Abdullah Musa
2 March 1958 (aged 32)
N/A
Al-Ahli
2
DF
Khalil Ghanim
12 November 1964 (aged 25)
N/A
Al Khaleej Club
3
MF
Ali Thani Jumaa
18 August 1968 (aged 21)
N/A
Sharjah
4
DF
Mubarak Ghanim
3 September 1963 (aged 26)
N/A
Al Khaleej Club
5
MF
Abdualla Sultan
1 October 1963 (aged 26)
N/A
Al Khaleej Club
6
DF
Abdulrahman Mohamed
1 October 1963 (aged 26)
N/A
Al-Nasr
7
FW
Fahad Khamees (c)
24 January 1962 (aged 28)
N/A
Al-Wasl
8
MF
Khalid Ismaïl
7 July 1965 (aged 24)
N/A
Al-Nasr
9
FW
Abdulaziz Mohamed
12 December 1965 (aged 24)
N/A
Sharjah
10
FW
Adnan Al Talyani
30 October 1964 (aged 25)
N/A
Al Shaab
11
FW
Zuhair Bakheet
13 July 1967 (aged 22)
N/A
Al-Wasl
12
FW
Hussain Ghuloum
24 September 1969 (aged 20)
N/A
Sharjah
13
MF
Hassan Mohamed
23 August 1962 (aged 27)
N/A
Al-Wasl
14
MF
Nasir Khamees
2 August 1965 (aged 24)
N/A
Al-Wasl
15
DF
Ibrahim Meer
16 July 1967 (aged 22)
N/A
Sharjah
16
DF
Mohamed Salim
13 January 1968 (aged 22)
N/A
Al-Ahli
17
GK
Muhsin Musabah
1 October 1964 (aged 25)
N/A
Sharjah
18
MF
Fahad Abdulrahman
10 October 1962 (aged 27)
N/A
Al-Wasl
19
DF
Eissa Meer
16 July 1967 (aged 22)
N/A
Sharjah
20
DF
Yousuf Hussain
8 July 1965 (aged 24)
N/A
Sharjah
21
DF
Abdulrahman Al-Haddad
23 March 1966 (aged 24)
N/A
Sharjah
22
GK
Abdulqadir Hassan
15 April 1962 (aged 28)
N/A
Al Shabab
This was the weakest team among the finalists by consensus – perhaps not entirely incompetent and hopeless punchbag, but very weak. Yes, their coach was at his second World Cup finals and after coaching Kuwait he coached Brazil, but that was all. If another team decided to took it easy, UAE could get a point, but generally they were supposed to put a brave fight and lose.