Saga of 81-82 Part Iii

World Cup Finals Spain 1982 fate had decided New Zealand would be tried when drawing the hardest group in everyone’s eyes. First is Scotland related to a few but it’s the adopted country these lads will defend, next the USSR one of the giants of the world’s round ball game, now one of the favourites after their European campaign. Third! Indeed, the team one holds in awe the rhythmic Brazilians the magical master at play, ‘New Zealand will learn a lot this day!’ June 15th Malaga’s La Roselada stadium New Zealand and Scotland did debut on Spanish soil that night, first five minutes to Kiwi then the professional came right, three goals before half time Scotland thought, the Kiwi in flight, a two-goal burst on this paragon day alas not enough to keep Scotland at bay, Kiwi lost by five goals to two second half performance tells one morally it was two-two. June 19th Malaga’s La Roselada stadium A three-nil loss to Russia, no luck for Kiwi tonight, in some respect the score flattered bringing New Zealand to new heights. June 24th Seville’s Benito Villmarin stadium Brazil paid the ultimate respect, when its strongest team took to the field, its samba beat pulsating feverishly for each goal our side did yield, New Zealand! did not live in awe four-nil only this night did he lose, to earn admiration for his efforts from player, statesman and fools! Many words have been written many more have been said, Regarding earth’s greatest feats, mainly war and of its dead, so, what a relief to find something totally different instead, John Adshead and Kevin Fallon and their squad of twenty-two men… © Harry J Horsman 1986 To appreciate, the effort, just getting to Spain one would have To read Parts 1 and 2, far too long for the contest and soup. it was at the time one of the world’s finest sporting achievements.