Football Journey

Northern Ireland. The only real news was after the end of the season – Newry Town and Carrick Rangers were elected to join the professional league in the next season, increasing it from 12 to 14 teams. The wisdom of that was dubious – FC Bangor was last with 5 points! Yet, without relegation it did not matter at all how weak a team could be. As for how strong… there was no race for the title. Linfield had no rival.

Their 35th title after 15 wins, 5 ties and only 2 matches lost. 43-13 was their scoring record – very impressive defensively. The nearest opponent was 5 points behind.

Which was another club from Belfast – Glentoran. Not much of a rivalry in the championship, but the neighbours also met in the Cup final. The match ended 1-1 and a replay was scheduled. In it Glentoran prevailed 2-1.

The season ended very well for Glentoran – they were no match to Linfield in the long run, but managed to clinch the Cup, which was more than fine: it was their 10th and the first since 1972-73.

 

Norway. Two directly relegated and one going to promotion-relegation play-off at the bottom of First Division. Correspondingly, the top two of the Second Division moved directly up and the next two went to the promotion-relegation play-off. Molde and Fredrikstad were directly promoted. Stringheim and Pors – the the play-off.

Hamarkameratene was the outsider in the First Division – 12th with 10 points. Mjøndalen – 11th with 17 points. They went directly down. Goal-difference decided 9th and 10th places: Kongsvinger survived, Brann finished 10th and moved to the play-off.

The round-robin promotion-relegation play-off was a bit of a surprise: Pors clearly was not up to the task, but Brann was expected to win. Well, they finished 2nd – Strindheim prevailed thanks to away victory over Pors, which managed to tie the last game, visiting Brann.

Rather unexpected – Brann relegated to the 2nd Division. Third row: Finn Krogh, Bjørn Erik Brandt, Bjørn Dahl, Ingvar Dalhaug, Tore Strand, Kjell Rune Pedersen, Leif Jordal, Trygve Andersen (assistant coach)

Middle row: Rune Enehaug (physio), Anders Giske, Asgeir Kleppa, Geir Andre Johannessen, Arve Mokkelbost (coach), Stein Norstad, Trond Johansen, Jan Kåre Åsebø (team chief)

Front row:Sjur Krogstie, Øyvind Pettersen, Terje Risa, Geir Austvik, Johnny Rolfsvåg, Lars Hjorth, Trond Nordeide, Neil MacLeod.

Amasing achievement of Strindheim – in two years they climbed from 3rd Division to the 1st! Well deserved too.

Up the table, Viking was apparently in decline – they finished 6th. Good season for the little known Eik – 5th. Start finished with bronze medals and 27 points, but they scored the most goals this year – 47. Lillestrøm was 2nd with 28 points – 3 less than the champions.

Valerengen ended at the top with 31 points from 12 wins and 7 ties. They lost only 3 matches. Their strength was defense – 38-17. Four teams outscored them, including the almost relegated Kongsvinger, but none came even to close to the their defensive record – the 2nd best, Start, allowed 27 goals. Valerengen won its first title in 1981 and now they proved it was not just a chancy victory. They even aimed higher, reaching the Cup final, thus, having wonderful chance for a double.

But it was not to be… their opponent, Moss, outplayed them and won 2-0.

Happy winners receiving the Cup.

It was fantastic moment and no wonder the team celebrated on grand scale -Moss, founded in 1906, never won anything so far. It their first success, their first trophy. Truly historic moment.

 

 

Malta. The 1982-83 season was remarkable at least for one club. Down the line, it was business as usual – St. Patrick and Birkirkara finished at the top of Second Division and got promotes.

Rather predictably, Zebbug Rangers was the hopeless last in First Division – they got only 2 points from 2 ties, losing all other games; scored pitiful 5 goals, allowing 33 in their own net – to show the inadequacy of their performance, the second worst defensive record, belonging to Rabat Ajax, was 19 goals – but they also the 2nd highest scoring record (20 goals) and finished 3rd. True, the league was tiny – only 8 teams – but still there was a very lowly outsider.

The second relegated team was quite of a surprise: Sliema Wanderers traditionally is one of the most successful Maltese clubs. Relegation is hardly associated with them, but… they finished 7th with 12 points and down they went. Curiously, they finished with positive goal-difference – 14-11 and +3 was actually the second best achievement this season.

Valletta edged Rabat Ajax on better goal-difference (+2 vs +1) and finished with silver, but the truth was the season was dominated by one team and nobody came even close to challenging the leaders.

And what a season they had! 10 wins, 4 ties, and not even a match lost. 24-4 goal-difference. The next team in the final table was 8 points behind.

Hamrun Spartans won their 4th title in grand style. But it was not all – they also reached the Cup final and left no chance to Valletta, beating them 2-0.

This was the 1st Cup Hamrun Spartans won, so it was fantastic season – obviously soaring above the rest, they won their first double, leaving no doubt about their supremacy. And what timing – this was the 75th anniversary of the club. They really marked the occasion with the best season in the club’s history.

 

Iceland. Fram Reykjavík and KA Akureyri won promotion from Second Division. In the top level there was one amusing thing – ÍB Vestmannæyjar used illegible player in the match with UB Kopavogur, which ended 2-2. The points were awarded to UB Kopavogur with deadly consequences for IBV: the lost point placed them second to last at the end. With it, they would have been safe, but now they were relegated along with ÍB Isafjördur, the last in the table. At the top there was lone favourite – Akranes. The only team to win 2-digit number of games – 10. By a sharp contrast, second-placed KR Reykjavík won only 5 matches, but tied 10 – more than 50% of the total games! So, confident champions.

Akranes also reached the Cup final, where they met ill-fated ÍB Vestmannæyjar and also prevailed – 2-1.

Winning was quite routine for IA Akranes by now – it was their 11th title and 5th Cup, yet this season was special: it was the first double won. Something to remember. Outstanding year.

Albania. Dramatic Cup final between 17 Nentori (Tirana) and Dinamo (Tirana). Both teams won one leg 2-1 and penalty shoot-out decided the winner. It went for a long time, before Dinamo missed a penalty and lost 7-8.

17 Nentori (Tirana) won their 5th Cup.

Meantime Vllaznia (Shkoder) won the championship for 6th time.

Luxembourg.

Jeunesse (Esch/Alzette) won its 18th title – 16 wins, 2 ties, 4 games lost, 69- 29 goal difference and 34 points.

Avenir (Beggen) won the Cup, beating Union (Luxembourg) at the final 4-2 – no surprise, except it was the 1st Cup Avenir won in its history.

 

Finland. New champion this year:

Ilves (Tampere) had a great season – they were 2nd in the 1st phase of the championship and without losing even a single match in the 2nd phase won the title. The only team with evenly strong performance from start to finish.

Kuusysi (Lahti) proved to be no one-time wonder by winning the Cup, after winning the championship in 1982.

 

 

Semifinals and finals. Paraguay joined the three group winners, having to defend its title against Brazil. Tough luck.

Gustavo Adolfo BENÍTEZ Olimpia

Roberto CABAÑAS New York Cosmos (USA)

Rogelio Wilfrido DELGADO Olimpia

Roberto Eladio FERNÁNDEZ Cerro Porteño

Darío FIGUEREDO Cerro Porteño

Aldo FLORENTÍN Cerro Porteño

Pedro GARAY Sol de America

Ramón Ángel María HICKS Libertad

Justo Pastor JACQUET Cerro Porteño

Alfredo Damián MENDOZA Cerro Porteño

Fidel MIÑO Olimpia

Víctor Milcíades MOREL Libertad

Carlos OLMEDO Libertad

Julio César ROMERO New York Cosmos (USA)

Oscar SURIÁN Libertad

Juan Bautista TORALES Libertad

Coach: Ramón RODRÍGUEZ

 

Paraguay hold its ground and both legs ended in a tie. But… Brazil scored a goal away and thanks to the rule of away goals qualified to the final. Paraguay at least surrendered the title unbeaten.

13.10.83 Asunción, Defensores del Chaco

 

PAR – BRA 1:1 (0:0)

 

(55,000) Gastón Castro CHI

 

PAR: Fernández – Figueredo, Surián, Delgado, Torales – Benítez (Olmedo), Florentín,

Romero, Hicks (Miño) – Morel, Mendoza

BRA: Leão – Paulo Roberto, Márcio, Mozer, Junior – Andrade, Jorginho, Tita (Renato), Renato Gaúcho – Careca, Éder

 

1:0 Morel 70, 1:1 Éder 88

BRA – PAR 0:0

 

(75,000) Juan Carlos Loustau ARG

 

BRA: Leão – Leandro, Mozer, Junior, Márcio – Andrade, Jorginho, Renato (Tita), Renato Gaúcho (Careca) – Roberto Dinamita, Éder

PAR: Fernández – Surián, Delgado, Torales, Benítez – Jacquet, Romero, Olmedo, Morel

(Mendoza (Garay)) – Florentín, Cabañas

 

sent off: Andrade (79) / Cabañas (79)

Uruguay decided the outcome of the other semi-final when visiting – they won in Peru.

13.10.83 Lima, Nacional

 

PER – URU 0:1 (0:0)

 

(28,000) Sergio Vásquez CHI

 

PER: Acasuzo – Duarte, Requena, Aguayo, Díaz – Olaechea, Velásquez, Reyna (73 Casanova) -Muñoz (58 Malásquez), Navarro, Caballero

URU: Rodríguez – Diogo, Gutiérrez, Acevedo, Agresta – González, Barrios, Cabrera – Aguilera (80 Saralegui), Francéscoli, Acosta (77 Ramos)

 

0:1 Aguilera 65 (79 Rodríguez saved a penalty from Navarro)

20.10.83 Montevideo, Centenario

 

URU – PER 1:1 (0:1)

 

(58,000) Arturo Ithurralde ARG

 

URU: Rodríguez – Diogo, Gutiérrez, Acevedo, Agresta – González, Barrios, Cabrera – Aguilera (75 Saralegui), Francéscoli, Acosta (71 Ramos)

PER: Acasuzo – Duarte, Requena, Aguayo, Díaz – Olaechea, Velásquez, Leguía – Malásquez, Navarro, Caballero

 

0:1 Malásquez 24 h, 1:1 Cabrera 49 h

 

sent off: Saralegui (85) / Duarte (85)

And that was how Uruguay and Brazil reached the final. More or less, it was described already, so just statistics:

27.10.83 Montevideo, Centenario

 

URU – BRA 2:0 (1:0)

 

(65,000) Héctor Ortiz PAR

 

URU: Rodríguez – Diogo, Gutiérrez, Acevedo, Agresta – González, Barrios, Cabrera – Aguilera

(85 Bossio), Francéscoli, Acosta (75 Ramos)

BRA: Leão – Leandro, Márcio, Mozer, Junior – China (60 Tita), Jorginho, Renato – Renato

Gaúcho, Roberto Dinamita, Éder

 

1:0 Francéscoli 41 f, 2:0 Diogo 80

Earlier it was said that 3 goals were scored in this game – and it is true, to a point. In the 40th minute Francescoli scored, but strangely the referee called for a free kick. Francescoli scored from it – so, there were three goals, but the first was disallowed and thus opening an opportunity for another goal by the same scorer. It was very strnage call and not the only one – later in the game the referee practically did not allow Brazil to score when Uruguayan defender stopped Brazilian striker from going alone to the net by grabbing him with his hands and simply throwing him down. There was no card… nothing.

That’s Francescoli’s goal the referee disallowed – it was perfect advantage, but the man preferred to call a free kick for earlier foul.

04.11.83 Salvador, Fonte Nova

 

BRA – URU 1:1 (1:0)

 

(95,000) Edison Pérez PER

 

BRA: Leão – Paulo Roberto, Márcio, Mozer, Junior – China, Jorginho, Sócrates – Tita

(77 Renato Gaúcho), Roberto Dinamita (43 Careca), Éder

URU: Rodríguez – Diogo, Gutiérrez, Acevedo, Agresta – González, Barrios, Cabrera –

Aguilera (82 Bossio), Francéscoli, Acosta (46 Ramos)

 

1:0 Jorginho 23, 1:1 Aguilera 77 h

Slower and a bit cleaner game the first one. However, it was in this game injuries happened – ironically, from a normal collision between players just a second before Brazil scored. There was nothing intentional, just Rodolfo Rodriguez and Roberto Dinamita crashed into each other running for the ball. At first it looked like that the goalkeeper would be unable to continue the game and the reserve goalie came out. Roberto Dinamita mean time get back on his feet, seemingly fine. But it was the other way around – Rodolfo Rodriguez managed to recover and continued to play; Roberto Dinamita was shaky and limping and had to be substituted a few minutes after.

Brazil scored at that moment and everything was looking fine – they needed just one more goal, more or less controlling the game. But their efforts proved fruitless, slowly the players became frustrated and panicky, their game deteriorated and Uruguay got the upper hand dominating at least the last 30 minutes of the match.

That was what Uruguay did best: strong, ruthless defense. And deadly counter-attacks started from such clearings. Survival of the fittest, that was all. Those with stronger elbows.

The new Brazil of Parreira. What should be said? Why Socrates did not play in the first leg? Why they missed some fantastic opportunities in Montevideo? And why lost heart in the second half of the home match? Strange Brazil – Tele Santana’s was fun to watch, this version was fighting well, but creatively was next to nothing.

Can’t blame the winners for winning – Uruguay won its 12th South American title, equalizing the record of Argentina.

The champions do not look excited , but can’t blame them for that either – they just finished a war.

And the combined final table of this Copa America.

Group A. Uruguay, Chile, Venezuela – Uruguay was seemingly the favourite and nothing surprising happened.

1. URU^ 4 6 3 0 1 7-4

2. CHI 4 5 2 1 1 8-2

3. VEN 4 1 0 1 3 1-10

Uruguay:

Eduardo Mario ACEVEDO Defensor

Luis Alberto ACOSTA Wanderers

Julio ACUÑA Defensor

Carlos Alberto AGUILERA Nacional

Nelson AGRESTA Sud América

Antonio ALZAMENDI Nacional

Jorge Walter BARRIOS Wanderers

Miguel Angel BOSSIO Peñarol

Wilmar Rubens CABRERA Nacional

Alfredo DE LOS SANTOS Defensor

Víctor Hugo DIOGO Peñarol

Raúl ESNAL Wanderers

Gustavo Daniel FERNÁNDEZ Peñarol

Juan Eduardo FERRARI Nacional

Enzo FRANCÉSCOLI River Plate (ARG)

Washington GONZÁLEZ Nacional

Nelson Daniel GUTIÉRREZ Peñarol

Roberto Arsenio LUZARDO Nacional

Néstor MONTELONGO Peñarol

Fernando MORENA Peñarol

Juan Francisco MÜHLETHALER Rampla Juniors

Walter Daniel OLIVERA Atlético (Minas Gerais) (BRA)

Víctor Manuel RABUÑAL Bella Vista

Venancio Ariel RAMOS Peñarol

Eliseo Roque RIVERO Danubio

Rodolfo Sergio RODRÍGUEZ Nacional

Alberto Raúl SANTELLI Defensor

Mario Daniel SARALEGUI Peñarol

José Luis SOSA Nacional

Carlos Eduardo VÁZQUEZ Bella Vista

Jorge VILLAZÁN Nacional

Coach: Omar BORRÁS

Chile:

Jorge ARAVENA Universidad Católica

Oscar ARRIAZA Naval Talcahuano

Marco Antonio CORNEZ Palestino

Rodolfo DUBÓ Universidad de Chile

Rubén Alberto ESPINOZA Universidad Católica

Leonel HERRERA Colo Colo

Oscar HERRERA Naval Talcahuano

Alejandro Manuel HISIS Colo Colo

Osvaldo Heriberto HURTADO Universidad Católica

Juan Carlos LETELIER Cobreloa

Juan Carlos ORELLANA O’Higgins

Marcelo PACHECO Naval Talcahuano

Juan ROJAS Colo Colo

Luis ROJAS Unión Española

Roberto Antonio ROJAS Colo Colo

Juan SOTO QUINTANA Naval Talcahuano

René Eduardo VALENZUELA Universidad Católica

Coach: Luis IBARRA

Venezuela:

Pedro Javier ACOSTA Deportivo Portugués

César BAENA ULA Mérida

Braulen BARBOZA Atlético San Cristóbal

Julio Omar BARBOZA Deportivo Táchira

Carlos BETANCOURT Atlético Zamora

Nelson José CARRERO ULA Mérida

Rodolfo CARVAJAL ULA Mérida

Johnny CASTELLANOS Atlético Zamora

Douglas CEDEÑO Mineros

Robert ELLIE ULA Mérida

Pedro Juan FEBLES Atlético San Cristóbal

Ildemaro FERNÁNDEZ Estudiantes (Mérida)

José GAMBOA Deportivo Portugués

José MILILLO Estudiantes (Mérida)

Daniel NIKOLAC Mineros

Carlos PÉREZ Colegio San Agustín

Alberto RAMOS Deportivo Italia

Franco RIZZI Club Italo Venezolano

José RODRÍGUEZ Deportivo Lara

Asdrúbal SÁNCHEZ ULA Mérida

Nicolás SIMONELLI Atlético San Cristóbal

Oscar TORRES Estudiantes (Mérida)

René TORRES ULA Mérida

William URDANETA Deportivo Lara

Vicente VEGA Portuguesa

Coach: José Walter ROQUE (URU)

Group 2. The toughest one – Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador. Ecuador was bad news for Argentina – they tied both matches at 2-2. Brazil was unable to prevail over Argentina, losing the away match 0-1 and managing only a scoreless tie at home – 0-0. However, Brazil had no problems against Ecuador and topped the group. But here a mystery exists: according to results, the final table should be

1. Brazil 2 1 1 6-1 5

2. Argentina 1 3 0 5-4 5

3. Ecuador 0 2 2 4-10 2

The official table for some reason is:

1. BRA^ 4 5 3 0 1 6-1

2. ARG 4 5 2 2 0 5-4

3. ECU 4 2 0 2 2 4-10

Brazil:

4. 1 Emerson LEÃO Corinthians

5. 2 José LEANDRO De Souza Ferreira Flamengo

6. 3 MÁRCIO Rossini Santos

7. 4 MOZER – José Carlos Nepomuceno Flamengo

8. 5 Jorge Luis ANDRADE Da Silva Flamengo

9. 6 JÚNIOR – Leovegildo Lins Gama Flamengo

10. 7 RENATO GAÚCHO – R. Portaluppi Grêmio

11. 8 SÓCRATES Brasileiro Sampaio Corinthians

12. 9 ROBERTO DINAMITA – R. Oliveira Vasco Da Gama

13. 10 TITA – Milton Queiroz da Paivão Flamengo

14. 11 JORGINHO – Jorge Campos Palmeiras

15. 12 JOÃO MARCOS Bueno da Silva Palmeiras

16. 13 PAULO ROBERTO Curtis Costa Grêmio

17. 14 TONINHO CARLOS – A. C. Pires Santos

18. 15 WLADIMIR Rodrigues dos Santos Corinthians

19. 16 CHINA – Henrique Valmir Grêmio

20. 17 Carlos RENATO Frederico São Paulo

21. 18 CARECA – Antônio de Oliveira São Paulo

22. 19 ÉDER Aleixo de Assis Atlético (Minas Gerais)

23. 20 LEIZ Antônio Mendes da Cunha Portuguesa

24. 21 JOÃO PAULO de Lima Filho Santos

25. 22 ACÁCIO Cordeiro Barreto Vasco da Gama

26. 23 GERALDO Pereira Botafogo (Río de Janeiro)

27. 24 Milton da Cunha MENDONÇA Portuguesa

28. 25 DOUGLAS Huminia Menezes Cruzeiro

Coach: Carlos Alberto PARREIRA

Argentna:

José Luis BROWN Atlético Nacional (COL)

Juan Carlos BUJEDO Vélez Sarsfield

Jorge Luis BURRUCHAGA Independiente

Julián CAMINO Estudiantes (La Plata)

Néstor Rolando CLAUSEN Independiente

Ubaldo Matildo FILLOL Argentinos Juniors

Ricardo Alberto GARECA Boca Juniors

Oscar Alfredo GARRÉ Ferro Carril Oeste

Ricardo Omar GIUSTI Independiente

Ruben Darío INSÚA San Lorenzo

Omar Roberto JORGE Vélez Sarsfield

Claudio Oscar MARANGONI Independiente

Roberto MOUZO Boca Juniors

Alberto José MÁRCICO Ferro Carril Oeste

Julio Jorge OLARTICOECHEA River Plate

José Daniel PONCE Estudiantes (La Plata)

Nery Alberto PUMPIDO Vélez Sarsfield

Víctor Hugo RAMOS Newell’s Old Boys

Jorge Roberto RINALDI San Lorenzo

Miguel Angel RUSSO Estudiantes (La Plata)

Alejandro SABELLA Estudiantes (La Plata)

Enzo Héctor TROSSERO Independiente

Coach: Carlos Salvador BILARDO

 

Ecuador:

Wilson Antonio ARMAS El Nacional

Freddy Egberto BRAVO

Gabriel CANTOS LDU Portoviejo

Paul “Polo” Fernando CARRERA Deportivo Quito

Hamilton Emilio CUVI 9 de Octubre

Carlos Kiko DELGADO El Nacional

Alfredo ENCALADA Deportivo Quito

Carlos GOROSABEL LDU Quito

Luis Augusto GRANDA El Nacional

Orly KLINGER LDU Quito

Hans MALDONADO El Nacional

José Vicente MORENO LDU Quito

Luis Orlando NARVÁEZ El Nacional

Pedro Marcelo PROAÑO

Tulio Tayron QUINTEROS Barcelona

Lupo Cenén QUIÑÓNEZ Manta

Israel RODRÍGUEZ Emelec

Milton RODRÍGUEZ

Bolívar RUIZ LDU Quito

Carlos René RON

Jorge Vinicio RON Universidad Católica

Mario TENORIO Barcelona

Galo Fidean VÁSQUEZ Barcelona

José Jacinto VEGA El Nacional

José VILLAFUERTE El Nacional

Coach: Ernesto GUERRA

 

Group 3. Bolivia, Colombia, Peru. Peru was the likeliest winner and it was:

1. PER^ 4 6 2 2 0 6-4

2. COL 4 4 1 2 1 5-5

3. BOL 4 2 0 2 2 4-6

 

Peru:

Top row, from left: Pedro Requena, Pedro Bonelli, Julio Zorrilla, Jorge Ramírez, Eduardo Rey Muñoz, Luis Reyna, Franco Navarro, Rubén Díaz.

Middle row: José Casanova, Alberto Castillo, Genaro Neyra, Juan Caballero, José Aguayo, José Velásquez, Eduardo Malásquez, José Gonzáles Ganoza, Oscar Bravo.

First row: technical personal, officials, coaches.

Eusebio Alfredo ACASUZO Universitario

Jorge AGUAYO Melgar

Pedro BONELLI Deportivo Municipal

Juan CABALLERO Sporting Cristal

José CASANOVA Alianza Lima

Rubén Toribio DÍAZ Sporting Cristal

Jaime Eduardo DUARTE Alianza Lima

Raúl GARCÍA Universitario

Germán Carlos LEGUÍA Universitario

Eduardo Hugo MALÁSQUEZ Deportivo Municipal

Alberto MORA Sporting Cristal

Eduardo Rey MUÑOZ Universitario

Pedro Franco Enrique NAVARRO Deportivo Municipal

Genaro NEYRA Melgar

Jorge Andrés OLAECHEA

Jorge RAMÍREZ Melgar

Pedro Jesús REQUENA Sport Boys

Luis Alberto REYNA Sporting Cristal

Roberto ROJAS Alianza Lima

José Manuel VELÁSQUEZ Alianza Lima

Coach: Juan José TAN

 

Colombia:

Jesús Alberto BARRIOS Atlético Júnior

Pedro Manuel BLANCO Atlético Junior

Oscar Emilio BOLAÑO Atlético Júnior

Juan Edgardo CAICEDO América (Cali)

Anthony William DE AVILA América (Cali)

José Ernesto DÍAZ Millonarios

Alvaro Diego ESCOBAR Independiente Medellin

Víctor Hugo ESPINOSA América (Cali)

Fernando FIORILLO Atlético Júnior

Hernán Darío HERRERA Atlético Nacional

Carlos Mario HOYOS Deportivo Cali

Arnoldo Alberto IGUARÁN Millonarios

Víctor Emilio LUNA Atlético Nacional

Nolberto MOLINA Millonarios

José James MINA Independiente Santa Fé

Willington José ORTIZ América (Cali)

Norberto José PELUFFO Millonarios

Miguel Augusto PRINCE Millonarios

Pedro Enrique SARMIENTO Atlético Nacional

Henry Roberto VIÁFARA Deportivo Pereira

Alex “Didí” VALDERRAMA Unión Magdalena

Coach: Efraín SÁNCHEZ

 

Bolivia:

Top row, from left: W. Camacho, técnico, F. Salinas, D. Paniagua, R Perez, Terrazas, Castillo, J. Peña, Hoyos, R. Coímbra.

Middle row: O. Mezza, Camacho, Revollo, S. Rojas, J. Villarroel, R. Vargas, Urizar, M. Aguilar.

Front row: J. Reynaldo, E. Romero, Zambrana, C. Borja, M. Melgar, Arias, Vaca.

Miguel AGUILAR Oriente Petrolero

Carlos ARIAS Bolívar

Carlos Fernando BORJA Bolívar

Jorge CAMACHO Petrolero (Cochabamba)

Edgar CASTILLO Blooming

Rolando COIMBRA Guabirá

José Milton MELGAR Blooming

Ovidio Donacio MEZZA The Strongest

David Augusto PANIAGUA Blooming

Roberto PÉREZ Guabirá

Silvio Edmundo ROJAS Blooming

Erwin ROMERO Bolívar

Fernando SALINAS Bolívar

Eduardo TERRAZAS Blooming

Carlos URIZAR Bolívar

Edgar VACA Guabirá

Ramiro VARGAS Bolívar

Johnny VILLAROEL Jorge Wilstermann

Coach: Wilfredo CAMACHO

Copa America. The big international championship this year, which left little memories somehow – apart from South America, hardly anybody noticed it. It was played between August 10 and November 4, 1983, in the following formula: Paraguay, the cup holders were exempted from preliminary rounds, going directly the semi-finals. The remaining 9 countries were divided into 3 round-robin groups, the winners going to the semi-finals. There was no host country – from start to end every country played two matches against any opponent, one at home and one away. Thus, matches were played in the following cities: Asuncion, Bogota, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Goiania, Quito, La Paz, Lima, Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Santiago, Uberlandia. Some strange places, indeed – but that concerns only Brazil, where the popularity of the game pushed towards various cities. Luck was against Brazil and Argentina, which happened to be in one preliminary group. As was often the case in the past, squads looked unusual – increasingly, the reason was that players based in Europe were not available. There were only 5 foreign based players and only Paraguay had legionaries stationed outside the continent: Romero and Cabanas, both of New York Cosmos. The Argentine Jose Luis Brown played for Atletico Nacional (Colombia) and Uruguayans Enzo Francescoli for River Plate (Argentina) and Walter Olivera for Atletico Mineiro (Brazil). But there was something else as well: Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay had new coaches. Their concepts differed from those of the previous coaches, therefore, they selected different players. The new coaches are worth mentioning: Argentina was now under Carlos Bilardo – the very opposite of Menotti in philosophy. Hence, entirely different players – tough fighters were preferred. Practically, only Fillol remained from Menotti’s team, but some of the players Menotti ignored now were in the team – Mouzo, for instance. Of course, the new team was just in the early stages of shaping, so many of the players did not play any role in later years. Maradona was absent.

Brazil was now under Carlos Alberto Parreira. A strange choice at the time – at least to the foreign eye: Parreira was known just because he coached Kuwait at the 1982 World Cup. And that was practically the pinnacle of his career so far – which was not long and he was not a former player. Parreira had nothing to do with Tele Santana’s views and the team was changed accordingly – it was going in the same direction as Bilardo’s Argentina: tougher, more physical and defense-first approach. Zico was not present, but some of the players Santana did not use were back. Leao, first of all – unquestionably, the best Brazilian goalkeeper since early 1970s, he refused to play for Santana, objecting to his concept in favour of attack. Parreira’s concept was acceptable, though – and no wonder: as a goalkeeper, Leao naturally preferred strong defense. Also back was Roberto Dinamita in attack – he was known as Dinamite in the 1970s, now was Dinamita. Santana had problems with center-forwards, but somehow Roberto Dinamita was not exactly his type of player. Parreira taught otherwise. Strikers continued to be a problem, though – and those chosen, including the recycled hero of the 1978 World Cup Mendonca, were not exactly satisfying. Midfield was somewhat destroyed: Socrates was not used in every game, seemingly, Parreira trying to build different kind of midfield – tougher and physical, but not creative. A midfield of warriors, not artists. Of course, it was difficult to judge, for Zico and Falcao, playing in Europe, were unavailable. Yet, the fact that Socrates was often out. Defense was fine – Leandro, Marcio, Mozer, and Junior – but the emphasis was on brutal toughness. Mozer excelled in that, but even elegant Junior was largely kicking legs rather than the ball.

Finally, Omar Borras.

‘Professor’ Borras was the oldest of the new coaches, but least known outside South America. And he remained unknown to the world until 1986. His approach was hardly changing the general directions of Uruguayan football and he, having limited options compared to Parreira and Bilardo, did not chose entirely different players. His contribution was largely bringing the notoriously brutal Uruguayan kind of football to new peak. More or less, the only discarded players were the veterans from the 1970s – Walter Olivera and Fernando Morena. It was gradual dismissal – both were still in the team and played a bit in the tournament, but not at the end. Understandable choice – both were getting old and it was inevitable they would be out soon. What Borras did was stripping down any pretension of playing football: it was just keep back, kill anything that move, sacrifice yourself, and pass the ball to one of the fast wingers to see what they can do in counter-attack. If goal was scored – great, but it was not essential: first and foremost, break the legs of all players of the other team. If not the legs – than their heads. Break something, no matter what. Scare them. Kill them. Simple. No wonder Enzo Francescoli was not exactly a key figure and not very visible on the pitch – it was not that he was to organize attacks, but, with some luck, to finish. To kick the ball in the net, if there was some stray chance. Combative Diogo was much more visible – punching, kicking, grabbing, and orchestrating the mowing of his teammates to suicidal degree. Kill the opposition, even if you die in the effort – that was all. Borras plainly and simply introduced murder as a tactic. His players, the very same used before, did not mind at all.

One last note, concerning a name. There was Valderama, playing for Colombia, but this was not the one coming naturally to mind: not Carlos ‘Pibe’ Valderrama, but Alex ‘Didi’ Valderrama of Union Magdalena. He did not play long for Colombia, but he was playing in the 1983 Copa America. ‘Pibe’ was not yet a national team player.