Of Dipolmacy, War, Toros, Football and Meat

Once again I could not get to the game this weekend, the new boss’s barbeque and doings called, and all very pleasant it was too. Wonderful piece of beef, and great sausages all the food, in fact, being excellent and with nice company a genteel afternoon was enjoyed. I ended up most of the afternoon with the Honorary Consul who seemed to find me charming and amusing. He is an interesting chap, and I am sure will be able to help us in times to come.

On the football front most of the headlines were along the lines of “Super Firpo” following their excellent 3-1 win over FAS (“Futbolistas Asociados Santaneco”) at home in the Estadio Sergio Torres in Usulután. The headline that caught my eye, however, was “Volvió El Toro”. As you all know, I was better known on the football pitches of Mexico as “El Toro”, so I was excited to see a kindred spirit. As far as I can see this is the nickname of the Argentinean striker Mario Costas who scored two of the goals (picture).

Results in full:-

San Salvador 1 (Doni Valle 27 mins) – Chalatenango 0 Estadio Cuscatlán

In which Ramon Sánchez faced his old team, San Salvador, for the first time. Well played “Panteras”, top of the table after two played

FIRPO 3 (Patricio Barroche 17 mins, Mario Costas 29 mins, 90 mins) – CD FAS 1 (Juan Carlos Moscoso 21 mins) Estadio Sergio Torres

Águila 1 (Rudy Corrales 83 mins) – Vista Hermosa 0 Estadio Juan Francisco Barraza

11 Municipal 2 ( Adonay Martinez 14 mins, Pablo Troyan 45 mins) – Alianza 0 Estadio Simeón Magaña

This seems to be an upset – up the Canaries!! The have not lost at home now for 29 games.

Nejapa 4 (Lester Blanco 6 mins, Juan Carlos Reyes 35 mins, 50 mins, Luis Osorio pen 90 mins) – Isidro Metapán 1 (William Reyes 23 mins) Estadio Victoria Gastéiz

This is also quite a surprisingly result

On Wednesday night there are some International friendlies, many full of story and history. We have England v Germany for starters, Mexico v Columbia, and the “World Cup” (unofficial) is up for grabs as current holders Italy take on Hungary in Budapest, could be a good game.

For us here we are playing, at home, against neighbours Honduras. Hopefully I will make that game. It is just up the road. Those of you with long memories will remember in 1969 when tensions over border issues and immigration spilled over into war, the “100 Hour War”: The fact that the outbreak coincided with rioting at the World Cup qualifying match on 14th July 1969 in San Salvador (3-0) has led this war to be forever remembered as “The Football War”. El Salvador went on to qualify for the World Cup finals, where they lost 3-0 to Belgium, 4-0 to Mexico and 2-0 to USSR.

My friend, the Honorary Consul, assures me that relations between the countries are much happier nowadays, and we look forward to a fun but hard fought friendly Wednesday night.