Tuesday, May 14, 2002
Tuesday, May 14, 2002 |
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Football
Goalkeepers, it is said, last longer than field players. Even then to be in a World Cup team at the age of 40 has to be something extraordinary. Dino Zoff was that age when he captained Italy to Cup triumph in the 1982 edition in Spain. His international debut came only at 26 years in the 1968 European Championship quarterfinal against Bulgaria. He retained his place in the semifinal against Russia and the final against Yugoslavia to see Italy win. Still in the 1970 World Cup Albertosi replaced him. Disappointment notwithstanding, Zoff lasted the distance and ended up with a spectacular record. Considered too old after the 1974 World Cup and certainly in the 1978 edition, Zoff proved his best was still to come as he became the second goalkeeper to lead a World Cup winning team after Juventus predecessor Combi in 1934. Zoff spent much of his career in Napoli and Juventus. In fact Juventus had paid Napoli a record £500,000 for the goalkeeper because such was Zoff's reputation. The Juventus management realised that having him in the team meant six points already in the kitty even before the start of the league! Fittingly the Italian great during his five seasons with the club did not miss a match and what is more let in on an average only one goal every three games. For his country Zoff was capped a record 112 times and when he came in to the 1974 World Cup he had come up with another unique distinction: not having conceded a goal in 1,147 minutes, that is 13 games from September 1972 to June 1974. It was Santon, the centre-forward of Haiti, of all nations, who became the first man to beat Zoff. Italy won that match but overall it was a bad World Cup for the country, going out in the Group stage despite Zoff's superb run under the bar. Four years later in Argentina, Zoff was again eager to parade his prowess and so was Italy to come into the focus as a favourite, particularly after it beat the host and the ultimate winner Argentina in the Group stage. As it happened Holland was to spoil Zoff's and Italy's party. Two sensational efforts, one each by Brandts and Haan brooked no answer from Zoff as Italy went out. For the third place or the bronze match, Italy went down to Brazil and Zoff's cup of woe was complete. Such was the resilience and commitment of the man that Zoff was ready for 1982, a World Cup that was to bring up his greatest moment in what was his last appearance on the world stage. Zoff was now heading for his 100th international and that was an added inspiration. Zoff came in for severe test from Brazilian players like Socrates, Zico and Falcao and Italy survived, winning 3-2 and in the process a semifinal place was assured. As it happened Italy went on to march into the final against Germany and here was the 40-year-old man ever keen to leave on a high note. The veteran of two World Cups was a picture of confidence as he prepared to face the bombardments of players like Rummennigge and Dremler. Paul Breitner was to surprise him but Italy had enough firepower, in particular with a wizard like Rossi, who had a great competition, to earn dividends. And the team went on to win the Cup and Zoff, the most resilient of them all, got his Cup of joy. Like others Zoff remained in touch with the game as Manager of Lazio before taking on the mantle of coach for Italy in December 1999__ S.R. Suryanarayan.
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