Porto, snow and Tokyo
Thursday 9 December 2004
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FC Porto have the honour of being the last ever European representatives in the European/South American Cup, but their historic meeting with CD Once Caldas on Sunday will need something special to match the drama of the European champions' previous appearance in the competition.
Snow storm
Porto had to battle with Tokyo culture shock and the large time difference for their meeting with CA Peñarol in 1987 but a more surprising challenge was the pitch. The surface was bright white after a typical snowstorm, before turning into a quagmire.
Gomes goal
However, a team boasting Portuguese, Polish, Brazilian and Algerian internationals made light of the conditions, with star striker Fernando Gomes, who had missed their European Champion Clubs' Cup success against FC Bayern München through injury, striking the opening goal after 42 minutes.
Madjer magic
However, their Uruguayan opponents hit back ten minutes from time when Viera pounced to score after a corner. That signalled extra time and just as in their European Cup triumph over Bayern earlier in the year, Algerian Rabah Madjer was the match-winner with a superb solo goal after 109 minutes.
Timed to perfection
Club president, Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, remembers Porto's meticulous preparation. He said: "Before we travelled, we went to a hotel and set our watches to Tokyo time, to adapt more easily. We slept during the day and got up during the night."
Some players were crying due to the pain caused by the cold
Fernando Gomes
Cold comfort
Captain Gomes recalls the extreme cold: "The journey to Japan took an eternity, and when we arrived the cold and the snow was almost unbearable. Then it started raining and the pitch looked like a swamp. Despite all the physical effort that we made, at half-time we were completely frozen. Some players were crying due to the pain caused by the cold."
Back in Japan
The snow, the return of Gomes and the Madjer goal combined to make the 13 December 1987 encounter almost mythical in Porto history. Now, almost exactly 17 years later, Porto will be back in Japan: and there will be some similarities. In 1987, Tomislav Ivic had replaced European Cup-winning coach Artur Jorge, just as Víctor Fernández, has, more circuitously, replaced José Mourinho. Two Porto players from the 1987 are on the current Porto staff. André is assistant coach while Rui Barros is in charge of the club's scouting department.
Troubled build-up
While their opponents arrived in Japan almost a week before the game, Porto have had to play a vital UEFA Champions League match just days before their Tokyo adventure. Their dramatic victory over Chelsea on Tuesday earned a place in the last 16 and has boosted confidence, but off the field, police investigations of corruption charges laid against the club have hardly helped their preparations.
Porto promise
But Porto have a promise to keep on their return to the European/South American Cup. After the 1987 win, Pinto da Costa said: "We won the European/South American Cup but Tokyo didn't see the real Porto, I promise that one day we will return to show it." If all goes well, that time could be now.
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