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[Blwe_torch]

Kempes sparked Argentinian joy on home soil


BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - A veteran of three World Cups, Mario Kempes is best remembered for his goalscoring contribution to Argentina's victory on home soil at the 1978 tournament.
Superb balance, pace to burn and a dead-eyed accuracy made Kempes the elegant focal point of a side whose ranks included its fair share of hard men.

He had first arrived on the international scene four years earlier, when as a coltish 19-year-old he had played for Argentina at the 1974 World Cup.

It was an unhappy experience however. He squandered a gilt-edged chance in the early stages of Argentina's first match against Poland and never really recovered, finishing the tournament without a goal to his name.

He had done enough to help persuade Spanish side Valencia that he was a player worth having though, and in 1976 he signed from Rosario Central to start what would be a fruitful five-year spell with the club.

In his first full season in Spain he netted 24 goals, and the following season he bettered that by four, the highest total since Alfredo Di Stefano's 31 in the 1956-57 season.

Still only 23 by the time of the 1978 World Cup, Kempes was nevertheless operating at the peak of his powers. Wiser and stronger than he had been in 1974, in Argentina he was to have no problem finding the route to goal.

In the first phase, Kempes was well shackled as the Argentines recorded victories over Hungary and France before losing 1-0 to Italy in their final group match.

Once in the next round however the long-haired striker teased one opposition defence after another, tormenting Peru, Poland and Brazil as Argentina squeezed into the final.

Two well-taken goals in the 2-0 win over Poland, were followed by a goalless draw against Brazil.

With Argentina needing to beat Peru by four goals in their final game, Kempes scored twice in a 6-0 victory.

Though the legitimacy of that win has since been questioned, with rumours of massive bribes paid by Argentina's ruling military junta to ensure the right result, few could argue that Kempes had well and truly emerged.

Any lingering doubts over his goalscoring prowess were banished 38 minutes into the final against Holland.

Ghosting through the Dutch defence to receive a pass from Ossie Ardiles, he advanced on the Holland goal and coolly slipped his shot under Jan Jongbloed to put Argentina ahead.

The Dutch equalised through Dirk Nanninga late in the game to force extra time, but Kempes was not to be denied.

Shortly before the end of the first period he skipped past three men to put Argentina 2-1 ahead.

With five minutes remaining, another sensational burst of speed by Kempes created Argentina's third goal, a one-two putting Daniel Bertoni away for 3-1.

Kempes' six goals in Argentina saw him finish the tournament as topscorer, earning him FIFA's Golden Boot award. But he never quite managed to recapture his 1978 form for Argentina.

Four years later, still only 27, he was a member of Argentina's World Cup squad in Spain, but just as in 1974, he finished the tournament without a goal.

http://www.espnstar.com/fworldcup/fworldcup_newsdetail_1676462.html