The FIFA World Cup 1990 that held in Italy had stored deep impression to me. As I mentioned in my previous posted, you can read it here, @bobreza/my-first-world-cup-in, I was really in love with two National football team, those are; Brazil and England. Last time, I have share you all about Brazilian's team, and now I am going to share about another team that made me fall in love with this game.
For football lovers, I believe, we all remember when England reached the semifinals of the 1990 World Cup. That was their best achievement after winning at home in 1966. The team that was coached by the late Barcelona legend Bobby Robson actually didn't appear too convincing. Their best performance was in holding the Netherlands 0-0 in the group phase.
In the last eight, this game very memorable for me, against Cameroon, England had to win dramatically through extra time. Roger Milla, Omam Biyik, and Cyrille Makanaky almost brougt a nightmare for England at those match. They scored twice through Emile M'bouh and Eugene Ekeke to take the lead after David Platt scored for England before. Then, two goals by Lineker changed the scoreboard into 3-2. Those were enough to bring Gary Lineker and colleagues to the top four.
Cameroon represented African countries in this match, joined in group B with three other countries such as the Soviet Union, Argentina and Romania, they succeeded in making a surprise by winning the group. Victory after victory continued to be won, until finally Cameroon succeeded in becoming the first African team to reach the quarter-finals before England dashed their dream of going further.
However, they had to meet Germany (West) which was trained by legend Franz Beckenbauer. There are so many memories from that heartbreaking semifinal match that was played in Delle Alpi Stadium. Among them were the penalty shootout and the moment when Paul Gascoigne cried. The first 45 minutes at Delle Alpi, Turin, the kick and rush style of English football that was considered ancient at the time proved to be able to make Germany confused. Score glasses end the first half. In the second half, Andreas Brehme's spectacular free kick opened the Panzers' lead 15 minutes after the second half kick off. England retaliated through Lineker, who became England's mainstay card when the situation was critical.
The score draw forced the match to be continued through extra time. Paul Gascoigne got a second yellow card for breaking Thomas Berthold. He then burst into tears knowing that if England got to the final he would be out. Her picture weeping was plastered on the front page of the newspaper and all Britons wept with sympathy. Penalty shootout begins. All kickers do their job well. However, disaster came when Stuart Pearce's shot was blocked by German goalkeeper Bodo Ilgner. England's chances were running out when Chris Waddle's shot bounced high. Shout Germany, cry England.
Even though they were unable to win or repeat the memory of the 1966 champion, what was achieved by the "Class of '90" made them often labeled as the second golden generation of The Three Lions. The following is a brief profile of five selected players who gave me Joy and years at those moments and succeeded in bringing England to fourth place.
Shilton is one of the best goalkeepers of all time England have ever had besides Gordon Banks from the 1970s. Came to Italy as the oldest player (41 years). Presumably it was the impact of the opportunity to debut with the national team that had just arrived ten years earlier.
Undisplaced as the last bulwark throughout the championship, Shilton who was full of sour experience lost in the penalty shootout in the semi-finals against West Germany. At least he was less honorable than four years earlier (remember Maradona's "Hand of God Goal"?).
Retiring from the national team after the 1990 World Cup, the goalkeeper who once won the Champions League with Nottingham Forest only really hung up his gloves as a professional player seven years later.
An irreplaceable figure in England's back line. The captain's armband fell on his arm after Bryan Robson was hit with an injury in the second gameweek of the group stage. The world may know him from an incident during the qualifying phase when Terry was determined to play even though his forehead was torn and blood was dripping profusely, making the jersey that was originally white turned dark red.
The late Sir Bobby Robson, England coach in the 1990 World War, said the Ipswich Town defender should have received a medal from the Queen of England for his "sacrifice and blood". Appearing six times throughout the tournament, Butcher chose to retire from the national team after the championship after serving as the Three Lions banner since 1980.
Talking about Liverpool in the 1990s, it's incomplete if you don't mention John Barnes. This Jamaican-born figure is a mainstay for the left wing post. Agile, has good ball control, dangerous punctures to crossing balls that spoil the striker.
Unfortunately, Barnes' journey in Italy had to end during the last 16 due to a thigh muscle injury. Sir Bobby Robson's decision to keep him in the quarter-final match against Cameroon made the situation even worse.
Absence in the semi-finals made England lose the element of surprise from the left of the field. At least Barnesy will still be remembered for his duet with the electronic music group New Order in the song "World in Motion". Released just before the 1990 World Cup, the single successfully topped radio charts throughout Britain.
Writing for Paul Gascoigne is actually not only about his sloppy behavior both on and off the field. Gazza was one of the best talents the England national team had in midfield for the 1990s.
The British media agree that the figure who sticks out with Tottenham Hotspur has complete abilities. Ball skills, extraordinary physical-stamina, plus accurate passing to the ability to build attacks. Don't forget that his right foot is a lethal weapon, whether it's for free-kick execution or just shooting.
Gazza is irreplaceable as an attacking midfielder in seven games. In addition, his tears when he received a yellow card in the semi-final against West Germany is one of the most memorable moments.
The true tandem of Gazza either at the Spurs or the Three Lions. Occupying the spearhead post, Lineker is known for never receiving a card penalty throughout his career as a professional soccer player for 16 years.
His instinct as a pure striker is his main advantage. Superior in aerial ball duels and good at finding the slightest opportunity, the person who had tasted the rigors of La Liga with Barcelona was like a wolf in the penalty box. He scored four goals in seven games throughout the championship.
When losing to West Germany on penalties in the semi-finals, the figure who is now a pandit said words of recognition for Der Panzer's performance. "Football is an easy game. 22 people running after the ball for 90 minutes. And in the end, the Germans won.
