MY GREATEST FOOTBALL MEMORIES

The year was 1978 and KBS-9 (now RPN-9) is bringing the World Cup of football live for the very first time on Philippine tv history, direct from Argentina. I was then a 13-year old kid, who was really fascinated by the tournament and the sport of football itself, that I kept on reading the local papers of World Cup stories days leading to its opening day. I even made a scrap book of the 1978 World Cup from newspaper clippings of headlines and photos.

I was in love with the Argentina team from the very beginning of the tournament. I knew that as hosts, they had a big chance of winning the plum. My early hero was striker Mario Kempes. The fair-haired forward was the lead man of Argentina mentor Cesar Luis Menotti, who himself is well-known as a chain smoker and hippified football guru. Aside from Kempes, other notable stalwarts of the team included skipper and sweeper Daniel Passarella, Osvaldo Ardiles, Leopoldo Luque and goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol. Then 17-year old wonderkid named Diego Maradona was left off from the 22-man selection. It was not all rosy for Argentina in the first round. After edging France, 2-1, they lost a 1-0 squeaker to Italy, powered by Roberto Bettega. Despite the loss, Menotti's boys made it to the 2nd round and started out strong as they demolished a hard-fighting Poland squad, 2-0. Next on the line is world powerhose and perennial South American arch-rivals Brazil. The atmosphere in the stadium in Rosario was electrifying as both teams badly needed a win to keep their hopes alive for a championship berth. The game ended in a scoreless draw. With their backs against the wall, Argentina needs to beat Peru by at least 4 goals to enter the finals. But lo and behold, they dismantled Peru by the score of 6-0. The result of that crucial match was full of controversy, as many believed the Peruvians deliberately threw the game. Many accused Argentine born-Peru goalie Quiroga played half-heartedly. But in the end, Argentina can not be denied of its place in history.

They will face 1974 runner-up Holland in the championship game. The venue was the Riverplate stadium in the capital city of Buenos Aires. Kempes immediately put the blue and white striped outfit ahead with a stunning goal in the 1st half. But Holland equalized with 10 minutes to go in the game with an incredible header from Dirk Nanninga. The game went into an overtime and that is where Kempes made himself a legend. First, he broke away from 3 Dutch defenders to score on a rebound off goalie Jan Jongbloed to make it 2-1 for Argentina. Then, with 5 minutes to go, Kempes set up Daneil Bertoni for another goal, clinching the game and the championship by the score of 3-1.

As I watch the game on our black and white tv then, I can't help but shed tears of joy as my beloved Argentina celebrate the victory with confetti raining throughout the Riverplate Stadium.