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SAGA OF 81/82 PART III

Harry Horsman

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2005

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 WORLD CUP FINALS SPAIN 82

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 fate had decided New Zealand would be tried
when drawing the hardest group in anyone’s eyes.
First up is Scotland related to a few but it’s the adopted
country these lads will defend, next the USSR one of the giants
of the world’s round ball game, now one of the favourites after
their European campaign.
Third! indeed not least the team one tends to hold in awe
(To muse that these lads have to play these Olympians at all)
the rhythmic Brazilians the magical master at play,
‘New Zealand will learn a lot this day!’

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 June 15th Malaga’s La Roselada stadium
New Zealand and Scotland did debut on Spanish soil that night,
first five minutes to Kiwi then the professional came right,
three goals before half time Scotland thought, the Kiwi in
flight, a two goal burst on this paragon day alas not enough
to keep Scotland at bay, Kiwi lost by five goals to two second
half performance tells one morally it was two-two.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 June 19th Malaga’s La Roselada stadium
A three-nil loss to Russia, no luck for Kiwi tonight,
in some respect the score flattered
bringing New Zealand to new heights.

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 June 24th Seville’s Benito Villmarin stadium
Brazil paid the ultimate respect, when its strongest squad took
to the field, it’s samba beat pulsating feverishly for each goal
our side did yield, New Zealand! did not live in awe four-nil
only this night did he lose,
to earn admiration for his efforts
from player, statesman and fools!

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 Many words have been written many more have been said,
Regarding earth’s greatest feats, mainly war and of its dead,
So what a relief to find something totally different instead,
John Adshead and Kevin Fallon and their twenty-two men…

© Harry J Horsman 1986

Notes

Editor’s note :

this may be going back in time, but we’re pleased to showcase an exciting time in New Zealand’s football history.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/saga-of-8182-part-iii/