In collaboration with High Life: Living the Good Life, VOICE OF ASIA is proud to present timeless articles from the archives, reproduced digitally for your reading pleasure. Originally published in High Life Volume 2 in 2014, we remember the legendary moments born from the beautiful game.
A South-American World Cup promises plenty of passion, heat, colour and a party atmosphere – little wonder that expectations are already reaching fever pitch for ‘Brazil 2014’. 32 teams will battle it out throughout June to become World Champions in the latest edition of football’s most prestigious international tournament. It is where emerging players burst onto the scene and star players write defining chapters of their own legacy. It is where dreams are made and broken, and where the spotlight shines brightest in games watched by billions. This HIGH Life special captures the drama of the World Cup, with the stories and the glory that have made it the greatest show on earth.
MEMORABLE MOMENT
Held every 4 years since the inaugural tournament in 1930, the World Cup has steadily grown in size and popularity. It is the stage where the greatest perform, and from minnows upsetting the balance of power to footballing masterclasses given by legendary teams, each edition of the Cup has featured unforgettable goals, breathtaking trickery, penalty shootout heartbreak and unbelievable moments that are remembered forever.
‘They Think It’s All Over…’
World Cup Final 1966
Hosts England had reached the Final at the iconic Wembley stadium, and against arch-nemesis West Germany, the game was in a tense extra-time period. England had nudged ahead 3-2, and in the waning moments, with the match still in progress, elated fans started to prematurely celebrate and stream onto the pitch.
Striker Geoff Hurst ignored the encroaching crowd and, receiving the ball, swivelled to smack an arching ball past a helpless goalkeeper for England’s fourth. It hit the crossbar of the goal and bounced over the line and out of the goalmouth… or was it on the line? The Hungarian linesman gave the decision of ‘goal’ – and this has been a source of controversy to this day. Because it happened in the days of pre-television replay, still no-one can be quite sure. The goal sparked the infamous commentary of the BBC’s Kenneth Wolstenholme, “There’s some people on the pitch, they think it’s all over… It is now!” It gave Hurst the only-ever Final hat-trick (3 goals) and sent England to their solitary World Cup triumph. Drama at its best.
The ‘Hand of God’
England Vs Argentina 1986
Perhaps the football gods are fair after all. England were on the receiving end of a piece of controversy, when the team was undone in Mexico ‘86 by a piece of outrageous bravado. Having made it to the Quarter-Finals, they faced Argentina, when the diminutive, yet legendary Diego Maradona rose for a header and connected with his hand. The violation of the rules went unseen (deemed to be a legal ‘header’ and not an illegal ‘handball’), and the goal stood.
Even the player himself admitted, post-match, “The goal was scored a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” England lost 2-1, the world was outraged, the referee was ‘blind’, and Argentina had punched their ticket for the next round of a tournament that they would go on to win. Debate still rages over this unforgettable incident 28 years on; cheat, or genius?
Yellow Peril
Brazil in 1970
There are few images in football more iconic than Pelé, in Mexico 1970 being held aloft and celebrating a goal with his team-mate Jairzinho. This was arguably the greatest team to ever win the World Cup, as loaded with star power, Brazil steamrolled their way to the trophy. They swept aside a talented Italian side 4-1 in the Final with adventurous team play and dazzling skills. This was the first tournament broadcast in colour, and the Brazilians charged to victory, resplendent in their iconic yellow shirts, winning the hearts of neutral fans worldwide.
Brazil 2014: Tournament Quick Facts
64 Matches
Viva España!
World Cup 2010
Spain were considered the best team in the world prior to South Africa 2010, but as many fallen giants have discovered, delivering on that reputation is a different prospect. Indeed, when Spain lost their opening game to Switzerland, the critics were sharpening their knives. However Spain rallied, being unbeaten for the rest of the World Cup and playing a brand of aesthetically brilliant football. In a tense final they held out, with Andres Iniesta snatching a 1-0 win with a neat, low shot to break Dutch hearts.
A Dutch Masterclass
Dennis Bergkamp, 1998
Regularly voted the best individual goal in World Cup history, a piece of sublime skill from Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp against Argentina was a slice of football nirvana. Bergkamp skilfully controlled a missiled long-ball from team-mate De Boer, which found him close to the opponent’s goalmouth. With one deft touch he left his defender helpless, then coolly, calmly flicked the ball past keeper Carlos Roa. Said Dennis the Menace, “That’s my top goal, I think, because of everything surrounding it. It’s a goal that gets you to the semi-final of the World Cup, on a massive platform, with lots of people watching and cheering… My reaction afterwards was very emotional.”
Brazil 2014: Tournament Quick Facts
31 days
12Th June -13Th July (Final)
Baggio-No!
World Cup Final, 1994
Held in the United States, the tournament’s showpiece game showed the world the fine line between winning and losing. Brazil were playing Italy, and Roberto Baggio had been an outstanding talent for the Azzuri throughout their march to the Final. With the match deadlocked at 0-0, the game went to a penalty shootout. Brazil captain Dunga had dispatched his penalty with ease, and up stepped the Italian to the spot. He skied his shot over the crossbar, handing Brazil the victory. Baggio stood head slumped, the other team celebrated, highlighting the cruelty and beauty of the game – encapsulated in a single misguided kick.
The Spirit of Asia
South Korea, 2002
While the World Cup is usually dominated by established powerhouse nations, the 2002 iteration of the event showed just what self-belief, home support and daring to dream can achieve. Joint hosts with Japan, South Korea entered with little expectation other than to admire the visiting talent that would be gracing their stadia. They sensationally topped their group, dumping Portugal out of the tournament and capturing the imagination of a nation. But they weren’t done yet. They stunned Italy 2-1 in the knockout round, and stomped past Spain on penalties in the Quarter Finals, sending shockwaves through the football world and sending home-fans into a screaming, flag-waving, patriotic euphoria. Though they eventually fell to Germany in the Semi-Final, this remains one of the greatest runs ever from an underdog, a wonderful story that shows that anything – and everything – can happen at the World Cup.
Stay tuned for next series….
