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Arrival
John Hawksworth
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The eighth World Cup, the first ever played in England. There
Are sixteen finalists, from everywhere: Moscow, Rio, Rome
Pyongyang. In 1930, when it all began, the European teams took
Weeks to sail for Uruguay. Now, as they fly into London Airport
It's a matter of jets and hours. They find no crowds to meet
Them, only a vast indifference. Well, things will change
North Korea, the enigma. Mysterious, so little known they might be
Flying in from outer space, rather than from East Germany. All we do
Know is that they beat the weak Australians to qualify, they lived
In barracks for over two years, celibate, under military discipline
Argentina, once famous for their ball artistry
Now notorious for relentless defence. Well, the
Bookies fancy them, but they've played poorly in Europe
Brazil, the holders, and Pelรฉ, the champions and their
Champion. Barely twenty-five, the world's finest
Richest footballer. A prodigy of 1958, a casualty of
1962, Cheerful now before the kicks and the conflict
Garrincha, the little bird. Feiola, the manager, plump
And brooding as a Buddha. He won the cup in '58, and
Several of that team are with him now, but eight years older
The French, travelling hopefully
A moderate team with only a distant chance
This is Comba. He was born in Argentina
Spain, who never punch their weight in World Cups. Still, Suรกrez
Pรฉrรณ, Del Sol, are back from Italy. And, er, Bento's there again
Italy themselves arrive with high hopes, chill premonitions
Five fine victories behind them. Their manager is carefully
Cautious. "We've come to play football in the country
That invented football." Everyone's afraid of England
In England. Only three foreign teams have ever won here
The Chileans, hosts in 1962, when their match with
Italy was called the Battle of Santiago. Now they
Meet again in their very first game. A doll for luck
The Bulgarians, remote outsiders. They've brought a centre-
Forward, Asmarukov, and they're prettily encouraged
The Uruguayans, young, unfancied, their best players tied up in
The Argentine. But they've won the World Cup twice, and you can
Never discount them. "Other countries have their history," says
Their manager, "we have our football." They'll open the tournament
Against England. They take it as a challenge and an honour
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