WORLD CUP 1994 REVIEW

USA 1994

The World Cup in 1994 penetrated the United States of America for the first time - so maybe we should call it the soccer World Cup. But to be fair, the locals really got into it. It did help that the home team had a good tournament. It was also the last time the World Cup featured 24 teams, before it expanded to its current bloated number of 32! The tournament started in farcical. In a lavish opneing ceremony, soul diva Diana Ross took a penalty towards a mini goal from just a few yards out. She missed comfortably, but the goal still broke and fell apart - I don't think that was part of the script! There were three newcomers in the World Cup - Greece, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. The latter two will definitely have been pleased with their performance. Due to the political upheaval in Europe, and the fall of Communism in the East, there were technically two new countries involved - the Soviet Union became plain old Russia (having been CIS in Euro 92) and West Germany merged with East Germany to become Germany for the first time since before World War Two. This was definitely more beneficial to the East Germans, as they didn't bring much to the table other than Matthias Sammer. And for the first time since they started competing in the World Cup back in 1950, no British teams qualified, so had to look on longingly as the Republic of Ireland too their place in the finals for the second successive tournament. England, under Graham 'Turnip' Taylor, were especially disappointing, losing out to Norway and Holland, Scotland were never close to qualifying behind Italy and Switzerland, while Northern Ireland finished behind their neighbours to the South and Spain. But Wales were perhaps the closest in this instance, to reaching their first finals since 1958. A win in their last game against Romania would have sent Wales to the States. But Paul Bodin missed a penalty when it was 1-1, and the Welsh eventually lost to come so close, yet so far. In the first group, the United States certainly didn't embarass themselves, finsihing as one of the best third place teams. They beat the highly fancied Colombia, who had thrashed Argentina in qualifying. This was to prove especially costly for Andreas Escobar, who had scored a crucial own goal in the game with the States. The Romanians looked good, orchestrated by the great Gheorghe Hagi, even though they lost 4-1 to Switzelrand, managed by the Englishman Roy Hodgson. Dan Petrescu scored against the States to clinch their place in the last 16. Group B was fairly comprehensively dominated by Brazil and Sweden. 1990 surprise package Cameroon almost shocked the Swedes, having come from behind to lead 2-1. But the impressive Martin Dahlin secured a draw. Brazil won their first two games easily, and a 1-1 draw was enough for both to qualify. The dead rubber between Russia and Cameroon was quite extraordinary, however. Russian striker Oleg Slaenko scored five goals in their 6-1 win, and Roger Milla, who scored Cameroon's consolation, became by the far the oldest scorer in World Cup history, at the age of 42! In group C, champions Germany were joined by Spain in the last 16. Jurgen Klinsmann gave them a 1-0 win over Bolivia in the opening game. Only South Korea, who scored two late goals to draw 2-2 with Spain. Group D was incredibly well matched between three of the teams - Argentina, and surprise packages Bulgaria and Nigeria, while Greece were the whipping boys. All three beat the Greeks and one of th other two teams once, meaning they all qualified by finishing level on six points. Argentina started well, beating Greece 4-0 thanks to a Gabriel Batistuta hat-trick and one from Diego Maradona, while two Claudio Cannigia goals helped to beat the Nigerians. But it was Maradona's goal in the first game which would catch the headlines, for all the wrong reasons. His celebration, where he went up to one of the cameras and shook his head in a crazed fashion, seemed a little odd. It seemed even more strange when he failed a drugs test days later and was sent home in disgrace, his World Cup career over. Bulgaria lost 3-0 to Nigeria in their opening game, but the goals of Hristo Stoichov fired them into the last 16. They would go on to be the surprise package of USA '94. In the next group, it was even closer - all four teams won one, drew one and lost one, finishing on four points. The group was mostly memorable for a fantastic goal by Republic of Ireland midfielder Ray Houghton, firing over Italian keeper Gianluca Pagliuca from the edge of the area. Norway beat Mexico 1-0 with a late Kjetil Rekdal goal, while Italy beat Norway 1-0, and Mexico beat the Irish 2-1. The latter was noted for a disagreement on the touchline between Irish manager Jack Charlton and the match officials, as he was anxious to introduce substitute John Aldridge when his team were 2-0 down. He eventually got Aldridge on, who reduced the arrears to 2-1. This proved a crucial goal, as both the final matches ended in draws, meaning Ireland qualified ahead of Norway courtesy of socring one more goal. In the final group, neighbours Holland and Belgium both qualified, with the surprise team Saudi Arabia sandwiched between them, all finsihing on six points. Morocoo didn't disgrace themselves in losing all the games, with the deficit being just one in each game. This group was most memorable for a stupendous goal from Saeed Al-Owairan, a solo run from his own half which was enough for the Saudis to qualify for the next round. In the last 16, Germany beat Belgium 3-2 in an entertaining game, with goals from Kilinsmann and Rudi Voller, despite some quesitonable refereeing. They were joined by Spain, who surprinsgly thrashed a talented Switzerland side 3-0, including goals from legends Fernando Hierro and Luis Enrique. Sweden continued their good form, putting paid to a spirit Saudi Arabia team thanks to their talented strike-force of Dahlin and Kennet Andersson. Argentina showed they were not the team of old. Having reached the last two World Cup finals, they well at the first knock-out stage in 1994, against an underrated Romanian team where Gheorghe Hagi was showcasing his talents on the World stage. Ilie Dumitrescu also scored twice, and a late Abel Balbo goal was not enough to prevent the giants slipping to a 3-2 defeat. The Republic slipped to a comprehensive 2-0 defeat against the Dutch, thanks in part to a bad mistake from keeper Packie Bonner, which gave Wim Jonk the second Dutch goal. The favourites Brazil beat the hosts USA 1-0 to end their fairytale run, but not beofr a bit of controversy. Brazil midfielder Leonardo struck USA's Tab Ramos with a vicuous elbow and was promptly sent-off. However, this wasn't to prove terminal, as Brazil still won 1-0 with ten men thanks to Bebeto's goal. In the last match, Bulgaria continued their remarkable run, with Stoichkov again on the scoresheet. Garcia Aspe equalised with a penalty, but he would be one of three Mexicans to miss in the shoot-out, the Bulgarians prevailing 3-1. The action really stepped up a notch in the quarter-finals, with shocks, great goals, late goals, comebacks, and an innovative celebration which has now been over-used! Italy really showed they were getting up ahead of steam by knocking out Spain, Roberto Baggio scoring a fantastic late winner from a tight angle, after his namesake Dino's goal had been cancelled out by Jose Caminero. Dallas saw a superb game between Brazil and Holland, which swung back and forth. Brazil raced into a 2-0 lead early in the second-half, through goals from Romario and Bebeto. The latter's goal was followed by an arm rocking celebration, with a team-mate either side, to pay tribute to Bebeto's new-born child. But Holland came storming back, with goals from Dennis Bergkamp and Aron Winter. But their joy was to prove short-lived - left-back Branco drilled in a long range free-kick, and the Dutch fell short yet again. The biggest shock, however, came from Bulgaria again. They sensationally knocked out the world champions Germany. Lothar Matthaus gave the Germans the lead with a penalty just after half-time. However, in the space of three minutes towards the end, Stoichkov fired in a long-range free-kick before the bald head of Yordan Letchkov scored a diving header to shock the Germans, who found no way back. In the last quarter-final, there was an exciting game between two of the up-and-coming new footballing nations, Romania and Sweden. Thomas Brolin, of later Leeds and Crystal Palace infamy, gave the Swedes the lead with just over ten minutes remaining. However, with two minutes to go Florin Raducioiu equalised. He scored again in the first period of extra-time, and he looked like he had sent Romania into their first World Cup semi-final. But Kennet Andersson continued his good tournament with a leveller in the 115th minute, and the Swedes won 5-4 on penalties. In the last four, both of the games went to the script. Italy brought to an end the gallant form of Bulgaria. Roberto Baggio scored another two brilliant goals, meaning Stoichkov's penalty just before half-time was in vain. In the other semi, Romario scored a late goal to end the resistance of Sweden, in a repeat of the group match which had finished 1-1. The third/fourth place play-off was only really notable for a crushing win for Sweden, winning 4-0, and a first glimpse of a young, dreadlocked, Henrik Larsson, after he'd played second fiddle to established strikers like Andersson, Brolin and Dahlin. But other than that, in the second half, Bulgaria's players were trying to get the ball to Stoichkov at every opportunity - one more goal would make the striker outright top scorer, one ahead of Oleg Salenko. Alas, it was not to be. The final definitely let downb the rest of the tournament, where faith in World football had been restored after the bore-fest of Italy in 1990. The final was a poor, dour affair, where Italy's catenaccio prevailed over Brazil's total football. The match, inevitably went to penalties. Brazil's Marcio Santos saw the first spot-kick saved by Pagliuca, but that was as good as it got for the Italians. Captain Franco Baresi saw Claudio Taffarel repeat that feat, and when Daniele Massaro missed for Italy, their hero of the tournament, Roberto Baggio, was left needing to convert his penalty to keep the hopes of his nation alive. Of course, we all know what happened next. The ball sailed into the crowd, and 'The Divinie Ponytail' became the scapegoat. This, despite the great playmaker virtually carrying Italy to the final on his shoulders. And with that, Brazil clinched their fourth World Cup, one more than their vanquished opponents. This was probably their worst team to win the big prize, and it's hard to suggest the 1994 vintage was better than their 1982 or 1986 counterparts. But, as they say, it's the final result that counts! Football's a funny old game, isn't it? When the greatest show on earth would pitch up in France in 1998, the format would have expanded even more, to the 32 teams we will see in South Africa. But, more teams from more different places over the world were becoming more competitive - seen by the likes of Bulgaria and Sweden reaching the semis, not forgetting the performances of Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. It really was a world game now.

CONTROVERSY - DIEGO MARADONA

You can't really be surprised at this can you? Having scored in Argentina's 4-0 win over Greece, and helped them defeat Nigeria to clinch their passage into the second round, Maradona failed a drugs test, for the banned substance ephedrine. Maradona argued he failed the test because his personal trainer had given him the power drink Rip Fuel. He claimed that the US version, unlike the Argentinian, contained the chemical, and having run out of his supply, his trainer bought him the US version. He also claimed that he had an agreement with FIFA to take the drug to help him lose weight so he could play and the competition didn't lose prestige. FIFA apparently reneged on this, but this allegation has never been proven. Not too paranoid then!

PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT - HRISTRO STOICHOV

Bulgaria were undoubtedly the surprise package of this tournament, spurred on by the greatest player in the country's footballing history - Hristo Stoichkov. His six goals were the impetus behind them surpassing anything they've achieved in international football, before or since, by some distance. There were other talented players in the squad, like Yordan Letchkov and Krasimir Balakov, but the pace, power, attitude and finsihing ability of Stoichkov were crucial. He scored three goals in the group games, before important goals against Mexico and Germany. He was a key player in a talented Barcelona side when USA '94 came about, but his form was still astounding.

GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT - SAEED EL-OWAIRAN

This goal against Belgium, which sealed Saudi Arabia's place in the last 16 on their World Cup debut. He picked up the ball inside his own half, and just waltzed past the Belgian defence before slotting past keeper Michel Preud'homme. And there were only five minutes on the clock!

GAFFE OF THE TOURNAMENT - OFFICIALS AT MEXICO VS REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

The Republic of Ireland, having surprisingly beaten one of the favourites Italy in their first game, found themselves 2-0 down against Mexico in their second game. That's when it started to get tetchy, though. In some misguided show of power, the linesman refused to allow Ireland manager Jack Charlton to bring on John Aldridge as substitute. The reasons still remain unclear, but the argument got so ferocious that Charlton was sent to the stand, fined, and banned from the touchline for the next match. Charlton eventually got his wish, and Aldridge joined the fray with 23 minutes remaining. Although he couldn't prevent his country slipping to defeat, Aldridge's consolation proved crucial in the Irish qualifying on goals scored.

TRAGEDY - ANDREAS ESCOBAR

No matter what this World Cup is remembered for, it will always be tinged with the tragedy of Andreas Escobar. He scored an unfortunate own goal, stretching to cut out a cross from John Harkes, but instead diverting the ball into his own net. This, apparently, wrote his fate. Colombia were eliminated in the first round, and days after his return to Colombia, Escobar was shot dead outside a bar in his home town of Medellin. It is thought that the own goal contributed to many powerful drug lords losing money, who had bet money on Colombia reaching the second round. Legend has it the killer shouted 'goal' after each of the 12 bullets he fired into Escobar, mimicking South American sports commentators. Humberto Munoz Castro, a teacher at a local school was found guilty of murder in June 1995 and sentenced to serve 43 years in prison. This was reduced to 26, and he was released on good behaviour in 2005. There really is no justice in the world.

MASCOT - STRYKER

The official mascot for USA '94 was Stryker, a dog wearing a red, white and blue football kit(the American colours), while kicking a football. The spelling of the name is as confusing to me as you!