As the world prepares to witness the biggest sports event of the modern time after the Olympics — World Cup Football 2002, North East Enquirer remembers those great footballers who through their sheer skill and talents carved a niche for themselves in the history of the world soccer. The count-down has already begun for the second biggest quadrennial sporting extravaganza on the planet. Here are some of the legendary names who made the World Cup football the most eagerly awaited and cherished sporting events.

Garrincha (Brazil)

Known as the ‘Little Bird’ this physically challenged person used his adversity to emerge as one of the greatest players the world football has seen. Manuel Dos Santos Francisco alias Garrincha was a contemporary of Pele who made the 1958 World Cup a memorable event for Brazil. Brazil’s run-up to the 1958 World Cup final against Sweden and eventual triumph was possible due to this short-statured footballer who impressed the world with his speed, unpredictable movements and patented swerve.

Born in Pau Grande in 1933, Garrincha joined Botafogo Club, which had given Brazil many leading players and his international career began in 1958 just before the World Cup. Four years later when Pele was sidelined early through thigh injury, Garrincha took the centrestage and made the Chile edition the World Cup of Garrincha. He was instrumental in Brazil’s wins over Spain, England and host Chile.

When Garrincha was sent off the field for an on-field incident, an uproar made an echo in Brazil. Through Brazilian President’s intervention FIFA granted him permission to play in the final against Czechoslovakia. The Brazilian star could not make the final a memorable event for him, may be because of the shock of the incident and tightmarking . Still he was a witness to Brazil’s title win against the Czechs.

Eusebio (Portugal)

Eusebio Der Silva Ferreira called the ‘Black Panther’, was dreaded for his stunning accleration and lightning strides. The World Cup 1966 when inimitable Pele was on his peak, this Portugese star managed to steal the show with his nine-goal haul, including the four in that sensational match against North Korea.

Hailing from Maputo, Mozambique, Eusebio began his career at the age of 16 in 1961. He won the European Footballer of the Year award. His career reached its crescendo at the 1966 World Cup.

“If Europe had found a rival to Pele in spectacle and efficiency then this was unquestionably he,” said renowned football writer Brian Glanville about Eusebio.

In the 1966 World Cup, after North Korea incredibly edged past Italy and was leading 3-0 against Portugal, nobody thought Eusebio would turn the table in favour of his country. Eusebio, with his long legs cut past the strong Korean defence and scored three in a row to equalise. The resurrected Portugese finally netted the winner through penalty. And lo and behold it was once again Eusebio who did the genious act and held the key in Portugal’s surprise win over Brazil.

Despite his best show, Eusebio left the field disappointed because Portugal lost to England in the semi-final. Glowing tributes were paid to this genius for his great performances in England.

From 1964 to 1968, Eusebio was the top scorer in the Portugese league. Eusebio was the member of the first side to beat Real Madrid in a European Cup final in 1962. Acclaimed as the most dangerous striker in his era for his speed, ball control, dribbling and striking prowess, Eusebio made 64 appearances for his country and scored 46 goals.

Bobby Moore (England)

‘Kaiser’ Franz Beckenbauer rated this English defender as one of the best. Bobby Moore, who led England to title victory in 1966 World Cup, was admired for his calm and relaxed countenance. This extraordinary trait of his stood him in good stead in the times of the greatest provocation.

Just on the eve of 1970 Mexico World Cup, Bobby was wrongly implicated in an alleged shop-lifting in Colombia. But he kept his cool and never allowed this humiliation to affect his game. He made his debut for England just before the Chile World Cup (1962) against Peru. From then onwards he was a regular member for the next one decade. He was very good in tackling. Superb positioning and passing qualities made him a complete footballer. When he turned 23 in 1963-64, he was made captain of English team after Jimmy Armfield. His qualities of a leader helped him lead his side for 90 of the 108 matches equalling Billy Wright’s record.

Bobby Moore played a big role in 1966 World Cup win for England. Till Portugal’s Eusebio scored a goal in the semi-final, England did not concede a goal. In the final against Germany it was again Moore who not only initiated the equaliser but he also made it possible for Hrust to net the match-winner to lift the Jules Rimet Cup. The next year he was awarded the OBE for his great services to English football.

Four years later, Moore had to face the worst experience with accusations and arrest on charges, which later proved trumped up. Though he was very shattered with all this, the unperturbable gentleman left every thing behind and was in his element on the field, displaying another good show.

Before he hung his boots, he had many more memories to cherish. European Cup Winners Cup in 1965, Player of the Players Award in the 1966 World Cup, and above all he earned lot of respects from Pele. The legendary Brazilian not only considered him the greatest defender, but regards the shirt Moore exchanged with him in the 1970 World Cup as one of his prized possessions.

At the age of 51, Bobby Moore died of cancer — a tragic end to the life of one of the gentlemen of world football who was always loyal to his mission.

Roberto Rivelino (Brazil)

He was one of the most gifted players the Brazilian World Cup squad has had since 1970 to 1978. With Gerson, Jairzinho, Tostao and of course mercurial Pele, Roberto Rivelino formed the most devastating attack Brazil ever had.

When Mario Zogalo took the charge of team manager from Joao Saldaha, the change brought that extra luck to this fine footballer from Sao Paulo, which gave the much-needed push to Rivelino’s career.

Rivelino’s thumping free kicks, long rangers and particularly his ‘elastic dribbling’ made him very famous. It consisted of running the foot over the top of the ball, making it appear to swerve one side before sending it the other way. His repertoire of skills distinguished him as captain’s dream man who could successfully play at any position be it as a half or an attacking forward.

Rivelino’s international career began against Uruguay when he was 22 only.

The Brazilian side was in need of player like him for his strong runs and missile-like long rangers because around that time Pele used to be heavily marked man. The heavy fouling against Pele developed a disenchantment in Brazilian hero. Just before the Mexico World Cup in 1970, Zagalo saw Rivelino’s qualities match such tactics. Rivelino’s change of position propelled the Brazilian side’s morale and they won the cup for the third time making the Jules Rimet  Cup the country’s permanent possession. The match against Czechoslovakia was one of the best of the competition. For Rivelino scored three goals after trailing by one goal. The swerving long shot that beat Czechs all hands down was a Revilino’s special. He really dazzled with another brace to pave the way for Brazil’s victory.

Four years later in 1974 Germany World Cup,     Pele was absent from the Brazilian side which      affected their performance. It was Rivelino who lived   up to his reputation and expectation. Brazil finished fourth. Though he was there for Argentina World Cup, due to his overweight and lack of sharpness, he       could not find a place in the playing eleven for long periods.

At the end of 1978 World Cup with Brazil managing third spot, Rivelino bade adieu to international football but not before becoming the most capped player for Brazil.

After that he played for his club Corinthians for ten seasons — with whom he began his football career. But after that he signed a million dollar contract with El Halal, a Saudi club because he really needed that money.

AIFF looks towards NE for football promotion  
Veejay Chhetri

All India Football Federation chief is of the view that the North-East footballers can help improve the standard of Indian football and promises a football academy for the region

With another edition of World Cup soccer round the corner, the All India Football Federation launched a special mission to prop up the standard of the Indian football with special emphasis on the North-East. The federation is chalking out plans to harness talents in the region from the sub-junior level and draw maximum players from the region to the big leagues over the next four years.

AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi after watching the recent sub-junior nationals held in Shillong promised to set up a regional football academy for the talented footballers of the region. He said that he would appeal to the authorities concerned for more grants for football. Commenting on the talents available in the North-East, Mr. Dasmunshi remarked that the region had the potential to produce many more Baichung Bhutias.

Unfolding the plans of the federation for the next decade, the AIFF chief said that the regional acedemies would be the hub of activities at the sub-junior level. He assured the AIFF’s support to bring reasonable incentives for the players and called for more club-level tournaments in the region. However, the government alone could not support a sport like football, he added.

Mr. Munshi further pointed out that teams comprising several players from the North-East were being sent to England and South Africa for professional training and big match exposure. Notably, teams of Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur managed to draw the AIFF’s attention through their splendid display in the just concluded National Sub-Junior Football meet in Shillong.

Significantly, the AIFF officials had a special word of praise for Mizoram, which displayed some very high quality football notwithstanding the fact that the tiny North-Eastern State does not have a proper football ground. The AIFF officials said plans were on to conduct national football camps and training by foreign coaches in the region. Eleven players from the under-16 and under-19 age groups from the region have been picked for a training-cum-selection camp in Bangalore for the Asian Youth Championship, the officials added.

AIFF secretary A. Colaso was quoted as saying that the talented footballers of the North-East lack exposure after a certain level. “The club culture in the North-East has to develop so the young talents can be properly groomed for top level football,” Mr. Colaso said, adding that big firms and establishments should be roped in to sponsor football tournaments in the region.

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