contribution to the success in Chile, Pluskal received recognition on the international stage. On 23 October 1963, he was a member of the "Rest of the World" team that took on England at Wembley in front of 100,000 fans, to celebrate 100 years of English football. A year later, he played for the "Europe" team in Belgrade against Yugoslavia, and appeared for Europe again in 1965 against Great Britain. 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. Late life As with many other former players, Pluskal became a coach. He did this job for Plzeň clubs Škoda 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. References External links Svatopluk Pluskal at FK Dukla Praha Czech footballers 1930 births 2005 deaths 1954 FIFA World Cup players 1958 FIFA World Cup players 1960 European Nations' Cup players 1962 FIFA World Cup players Czechoslovak footballers Czechoslovakia international footballers Dukla Prague footballers FK Jablonec players Enosis Neon Paralimni FC managers Expatriate football managers in Cyprus Sportspeople from Zlín Czech football managers Czechoslovak football managers FC Viktoria Plzeň managers Association football midfielders