Tag: all whites

“I ran back into a sea of jumping and dancing people. They were up on tables, under tables, going wild. It was like I’d come out the wrong door. Kissing, hugging, skipping, there were men virtually having sex with each other in front of their wives and girlfriends.”

– Roddy Doyle on Kevin Sheedy’s 1990 World Cup goal vs England in My Favorite Year

In honour of some football match this weekend, that FIFA have handily scheduled for the middle of me Mum’s 60th celebrations, here’s a tribute to the best World Cup ever.

This was the All Whites’ only World Cup so far, highlights were contributing to Scotland’s comedy WC minnow performance pantheon, and lettting Zico do this.

Brazil 1982 were a bit special – check out chain smoker Socrates casually scoring from 30 yards. Pity they got mugged by the eventual champions. That Rossi was some player.

Tardelli’s goal in the final was a nice bit of work on the edge of the box, but his celebration made me want to be Italian. I put him on me 2006 bannner too.

Heroes need villains, team, and the German ‘keeper put his hand up with this clinically brutal foul on Battiston, of Platini’s wonderful French team.

The last time the All Whites made the World Cup Finals, way back in 1982, all we needed was a few afros, a few more moustaches, and a Ray Woolf number.