Following the 1962 World Cup series in Chile, the Organizers of the tournament-
FIFA was pressured to make it
a truly global affair ; for although India and even the U.S. took part in
earlier tournaments, it was basically
confined to Europe and South and Central America.
Hence, FIFA decided that the 1966 tournament- held in England - would be open
to Asia with only one berth.
It must be borne in mind,that it was at a time when only 16 countries could
qualify- including the hosts and holders.
India secured the berth after a series of qualifying rounds; but given the
high costs of preparations and foreign
exchange "constraints", India backed out.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea - aka North Korea- jumped in the
bandwagon, and the country's
leader - Kim Il Sung - late father of the current leader Kim Il Jong-
capitalised on the situation.
Given the short time North Korea had to prepare for the tournament, he pulled
out all the top single football (soccer in the
USA) players and "crammed" them in a camp. In typical Communist fashion- where
everyone belongs to the state- the players
went through a gruelling schedule playing nothing but football until they left
for England.
Their efforts paid off and they eliminated twice holders - Italy from the
tournament..(The other countries that had won it twice
were Uruguay and Brazil). And Portugal would have been next on the list after
the Koreans took a 3-0 lead; but thanks to
four goals in 36 minutes by their star import from Mozambique - Eusebio
DeSilva, Portugal went on to win 5-3. (Eusebio
went on to score five more goals - making him the highest scorer of the
tournament which was won by England).
In 1970, the tournament which was won by Brazil in Mexico included Africa with
one berth- making it finally a truly
global affair. (Morocco represented Africa). Fifa later increased the
qualifying teams to 24 and a few years ago to 32.
however, the holdersdo not get an automatic berth -like the hosts- and have to
qualify on their own..
The berths for Asia and Africa were also increased progressively, but also with
Europe following the large list of
countries that were "carved" out of the USSR. The Middle East is included in
the Asia Group and Australia
has to play one team to qualify..
As you will note from this year's tournament, only 3 Asian countries were
represented - China, South Korea
and North Korea; while Africa gets five berths out of a total of 55 countries
on the Continent; but got an
additional one this year for the hosts- South Africa.
Hence, one must note that the competition is very stiff for even People's China
- a great playing nation did not qualify; whilst
Senegal which defeated France in the 2002 tournament after winning the 1998
championship- did not make it.
If India is really interested in qualifying for the World Cup, she has to go
on a long projected program aimed at
harnessing some of the top players it can pick up from the huge "bank" or pool
of players. Indian players
should be given a chance to play for top European clubs- not third or fourth
division teams.
This has been the 'trump" card of the main African countries some of whose
players represent top European teams. You
could get the best of coaches and train those young "budding: players;
"inject" all the money you have,
but if they do not have international exposure, they will not make it by even
Asian standards. Like any
World Cup tournament, this year's in South Africa could be another "eye-opener".
Cheers.
Tony Barros.
New Jersey, USA.
