The play-offs. A bit of disorder is needed here, because the play-offs involved European teams. If not for that, the play-offs must be placed later – they were played after the all groups ended their games, in October, November, and December of 1985. But those play-offs completed the European group of teams qualified to play at the World Cup finals. The first play-off was for European final spot and involved the second-placed teams in groups 1 and 5. Belgium vs Holland. Both teams misfired in their groups and now had last chance. Holland was somewhat the lesser team at the moment, still unmade, in transition. Belgium had its great generation and this time everybody was at hand, those suspended in 1984 were back. But this duel was very old and like any derby, quality of players and form mattered not. Even when Holland was fantastic and Belgium in decline, the Red Devils made enormous trouble for the Flying Dutch, beating them often. Now the roles were reversed, which meant that weaker Holland may come victorious. And it almost happened: Belgium won 1-0 in Brussels, but in the 83rd minute in Rotterdam it was 2-0 Holland. Then the defender Grun scored and the match ended 2-1. Belgium qualified to the finals on away goal, Holland was out of world cup finals for second time in a row.
Uncertain, transitional time – if one looks closely not only of the two formations, playing against Belgium, and add the earlier photo in the group report (the team, which played a friendly with Bulgaria), the problem shall be seen: there was tendency to use famous veterans, which apparently were no longer up to the task. The young stars were kept somewhat in secondary place, still suspect and when in doubt – place experienced veteran. Who disappoints immediately, so look around again with the same dilemma – call back the youngster or get another name from the past. Holland was rightly eliminated, although it cannot be denied that they tried hard to go to Mexico.
With difficulties, Belgium managed to qualify. True, they made mistakes, costing them direct qualification, but they won the play-off and were more deserving team than Holland. The results of the neighbourly clash does not tell well who deserved to go to the finals – traditionally, the matches between Belgium and Holland were tough and decided by single goal, so superiority cannot be judged by them alone. Belgium had its golden generation, penalized players like Gerets were back and the team was in its full force. No uncertainty, rebuilding, looking for a new team – that was the difference between Holland and Belgium, in Belgian favour. It was good they prevailed, however minimally.
The other play-off was intercontinental – the second-placed in the European Group 7 vs the winner of Group 15, Oceania. Whatever the ‘Oceanic zone’ was, it was the weakest zone, so without designated spot at the finals. And because it was so weak, an European team was sure winner. Not big deal, but still… Australia won Oceanic zone and Scotland came from the European Group 7. Frankly, it was very convenient opponent for the Scots – the Australians played British type of football, so no surprises there. Also, British teams often went to Australia to play friendlies and if Australia came to Europe, it was generally to play a bit in Great Britain – that made them fairly familiar team for Scotland, unlike other teams from Asia and Oceania. Even travel, as long and tiresome as it was, was established and without delays and weird transfers who knows where. The first match was in Glasgow and Scotland won 2-0. Two weeks later in Melbourne it was 0-0. In fact, Scotland won the play-off in the second half of the Glasgow match when both goals were scored.
Australia was still plain zero in football terms, but they had the typical British pride infused in their sport, so it was not a matter of skill, but a matter of honour to give their best, to play to the last second, never giving up, especially against British team. The Scots did not win easily, but they won – the Australians did not moan: they did what they could, lost to superior opponent, but got some respect.
Here are both teams, looks like before the match in Melbourne.
Scotland qualified at last – it was December 1985 by now – and everything was fine. Here is the factual winning team before the opening leg in Glasgow. Well, here it is… Australia may have been weak, but Scotland was taking no chances. Full force, everything they had, including Dalglish and Souness. No second-stringers, no reserves, one even have the feeling Denis Law would have been fielded if he was just a bit fit. Scotland had to qualify, that was that. Australia was brushed aside – it was almost like playing against Northern Ireland or Wales, in a sense better play England than some of the weak British teams. Scotland won and that was fine. Alex Ferguson did it, but he was surely aware that he could only pull and stretch fighting spirit and nothing more with so limited and short options.