What caught my attention recently is the name of the stadium that is hosting a game that I am watching at the moment of Peru vs. Colombia game in Cordoba Province, it is Mario Kempes Stadium.
I thought that it is very interesting and a great way of honoring the legendary players by naming stadiums after them, may be more touching than building a statue like Eusebio or giving "Sir" title like that of Bobby Charlton or Alex Ferguson.
What I thought is interesting that Kempes Stadium has a capacity of 57,000 which is double the capacity of Maradona Stadium.
Little bit about Kempes:
Main reason of naming the stadium that the legendary player is from Cordoba province, he was born in Bell Ville, a small town at Cordoba. He lead Argentina to win the 1978 WC and won both the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe awards. He hasn't scored any goal in the first four games in the tournament, though he played very well. In the last three games he scored 2 goals for each. Very nice video of Kempes best moments in 78 WC.
Little bit about the stadium:
The stadium itself is not that great, but has very interesting history. It was built to be one of the 5 stadiums that hosted 1978 WC. Construction started in 1976 and was inaugurated in 16 May 1978, just 18 days before hosting its first WC game. For the inauguration, Argentina played a game vs. Cordoba province, what's interesting that Mario Kempes himself scored the first goal in the stadium.
The stadium name was Estadio Córdoba, and commonly known as Estadio Olímpico Chateau Carreras. It had a capacity of 46,000 and many of them were standing, and it had an Olympic track, which makes the pitch too far from the back (around 70 m). Remodeling took place for Copa America to have seating areas, more chairs and better vision. In October, 2010 name was officially changed into Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes.
Peru love story with the stadium:
Out of the 7 games in 1978 for Peru, they won two of them, both were at this stadium. The other 5 games were played at other stadiums and Peru didn't win any of them.
The first WC game for that stadium witnessed a historical victory for Peru vs. Scotland 3-1. Peru tied 0-0 with Netherlands at Mendoza, then they returned to Cordoba to beat Iran 4-1 at this same stadium. Peru had an amazing performance heading that group ahead of Netherlands and Scotland.
The first WC game for that stadium witnessed a historical victory for Peru vs. Scotland 3-1. Peru tied 0-0 with Netherlands at Mendoza, then they returned to Cordoba to beat Iran 4-1 at this same stadium. Peru had an amazing performance heading that group ahead of Netherlands and Scotland.
As I am watching and writing this post, Peru is playing a very good (tactical) game vs. Colombia and were very lucky as well. Colombia missed a penalty kick and hit the post twice. Now, it is the extra time, and Peru scored a wonderful goal. It is 1-0. If Peru won, then, this stadium is definitely something Peruvian should remember and cheer for.
Wow, Peru scored another nice goal, and Peru is to the semi-final. This is diffidently a very interesting story for Peru : )
List of big games for the Stadium:
Wow, Peru scored another nice goal, and Peru is to the semi-final. This is diffidently a very interesting story for Peru : )
List of big games for the Stadium:
1978 World Cup:
- Peru vs. Scotland 3-1
- Germany vs. Mexico 6-0
- Germany vs. Tunisia 0-0
- Scotland vs. Iran 1-1
- Peru vs. Iran 4-1
- Netherlands vs. Austria 5-1
- Netherlands vs. W. Germany 2-2
- Austria vs. W. Germany 3-2
2011 Copa America:
- Brazil vs. Paraguay 2-2
- Argentina vs. Costa Rica 3-0
- Brazil vs. Ecuador 4-2
- Peru vs. Colombia
Watch the remodeling in YouTube
I have to remind the reader, that the love story is with the Mario Kempes Stadium only and not Mario Kempes himself, as he scored two goals vs. Peru in a 6-0 historical and controversial game in the 1978 : )
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2 comments:
:) thank you! Cheers from Peru!!
you welcome :)
Peru deserved a lot of cheers yesterday,
despite my admiration to Colombia
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