Svatopluk Pluskal
Encyclopedia
Svatopluk Pluskal was a Czechoslovak footballer
and holder of a silver medal from the World Cup in Chile in 1962.
.
where he became an important player for a newly founded army football club (ATK, later called ÚDA and Dukla Prague), for whom he played mainly as a defensive midfielder. In almost 16 years with this club, he was 8 times champion of the league but he achieved his most important successes at the club level in the United States. Dukla Praha with Pluskal in its line-up managed to win the "American Cup" (a tournament of teams from football-developed countries) three times in a row in the first half of 1960s. In 1962 Pluskal scored the winning goal in the final against Brazilian team FC America.
from 1952 (starting as a defender) and played in three World Cups. In 1954 he took part in the record 0-5 defeat by Austria in Switzerland. Four years later, at the 1958 world cup finals, Pluskal played in more games. Losing 1-0 to Northern Ireland
, drawing 2-2 with West Germany
, and scoring a remarkable 6-1 victory over Argentina, under modern rules they would have gone through. Under the rules of the time, having equal points, a play-off had to decide, and Northern Ireland beat them for the second time, this time 2-1 after extra time.
In the 1962 World Cup in Chile
, Pluskal was a member of the line-up. With his teammate from Dukla, Josef Masopust
, he formed the key midfield of the 4–2–4 formation. Thanks to Pluskal, the team that had had to qualify for the Championships in a playoff with Scotland had got to the World Cup final. There it was beaten by Brazil
. In 1965, Pluskal played in the unsuccessful qualification campaign for the World Cup in England, but with this his international career ended. He played 56 matches in Czechoslovak colours and scored one goal.
Thanks to his important contribution to the success in Chile, Pluskal received recognition on the international stage. On October 23, 1963, he was a member of the "Rest of the World" team that played England
at Wembley
in front of 100,000 fans, to celebrate 100 years of English football. Next year he played for the "Europe" team in Belgrade
.
Pluskal's career was ended by a knee injury in 1967. In the league he played 282 matches and scored 37 goals. He was a universal footballer, a good header
of the ball, and he was famous for his slide tackles, with which he cleanly took the ball from his opponents. Although players often protested against this style of play, referees usually considered it to be within the rules. During his football career, this tireless fighter became an impenetrable shield, able to concentrate on what was needed. Off the field, he helped the team with his easy humour.
and Slovan, later on for FC Bohemians Praha and for a few years in Enosis Neon Paralimni of Cyprus
. He helped Bohemians with their promotion to the First Division.
After a brain stroke Pluskal was confined to bed. He died at the age of 74.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
and holder of a silver medal from the World Cup in Chile in 1962.
Early life
Svatopluk Pluskal started playing football in his home town, where he played for several clubs. With (Baťa Zlín – Svit Gottwaldov) he achieved promotion to the top league. He achieved individual success when he was selected for the junior international team. He was able to play in most positions, but in Zlín he played mainly as a strikerStriker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
.
Pre-International Career
In 1951 he moved to PraguePrague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
where he became an important player for a newly founded army football club (ATK, later called ÚDA and Dukla Prague), for whom he played mainly as a defensive midfielder. In almost 16 years with this club, he was 8 times champion of the league but he achieved his most important successes at the club level in the United States. Dukla Praha with Pluskal in its line-up managed to win the "American Cup" (a tournament of teams from football-developed countries) three times in a row in the first half of 1960s. In 1962 Pluskal scored the winning goal in the final against Brazilian team FC America.
International career
He played in the Czechoslovak international teamCzechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
from 1952 (starting as a defender) and played in three World Cups. In 1954 he took part in the record 0-5 defeat by Austria in Switzerland. Four years later, at the 1958 world cup finals, Pluskal played in more games. Losing 1-0 to Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
, drawing 2-2 with West Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
, and scoring a remarkable 6-1 victory over Argentina, under modern rules they would have gone through. Under the rules of the time, having equal points, a play-off had to decide, and Northern Ireland beat them for the second time, this time 2-1 after extra time.
In the 1962 World Cup in Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, Pluskal was a member of the line-up. With his teammate from Dukla, Josef Masopust
Josef Masopust
Josef Masopust is a Czechoslovakian former football player and coach. He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1962. In November 2003, to celebrate UEFA's Jubilee, he was selected as the Golden Player of the Czech Republic by the Football Association of the Czech Republic as their most...
, he formed the key midfield of the 4–2–4 formation. Thanks to Pluskal, the team that had had to qualify for the Championships in a playoff with Scotland had got to the World Cup final. There it was beaten by Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
. In 1965, Pluskal played in the unsuccessful qualification campaign for the World Cup in England, but with this his international career ended. He played 56 matches in Czechoslovak colours and scored one goal.
Thanks to his important contribution to the success in Chile, Pluskal received recognition on the international stage. On October 23, 1963, he was a member of the "Rest of the World" team that played England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at Wembley
Wembley
Wembley is an area of northwest London, England, and part of the London Borough of Brent. It is home to the famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena...
in front of 100,000 fans, to celebrate 100 years of English football. Next year he played for the "Europe" team in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
.
Pluskal's career was ended by a knee injury in 1967. In the league he played 282 matches and scored 37 goals. He was a universal footballer, a good header
Heading
Heading can refer to:*Heading , a process which incorporates the extruding and upsetting processes*Headline, text at the top of a newspaper article*The direction a person or vehicle is facing, usually similar to its course...
of the ball, and he was famous for his slide tackles, with which he cleanly took the ball from his opponents. Although players often protested against this style of play, referees usually considered it to be within the rules. During his football career, this tireless fighter became an impenetrable shield, able to concentrate on what was needed. Off the field, he helped the team with his easy humour.
Late life
As with many other former players, Pluskal become a coach. He did this job for Plzeň clubs ŠkodaFC Viktoria Plzen
FC Viktoria Plzeň is a Czech professional football club based in Plzeň. They currently play in the Gambrinus liga, the top division of football in the country....
and Slovan, later on for FC Bohemians Praha and for a few years in Enosis Neon Paralimni of Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. He helped Bohemians with their promotion to the First Division.
After a brain stroke Pluskal was confined to bed. He died at the age of 74.