At 53 years old and retired from football a long time ago, ‘Pocho’ recalled anecdotes and revealed little-known episodes of his football life, such as his time in the Alianza Lima youth team. He also said that at some point he put on his gloves to replace ‘Gringo’ Zubczuk in the cream team.
In another moment of the talk with ‘Puchungo’, Gustavo Dulanto’s father shared the funny anecdote that the converted own goal left him when he played in Melgar de Arequipa. His passing through Mérida in Spain was a separate point, since he faced ‘monsters’ from the Spanish League. Of course, he regrets leaving the club founded in 1912, since he resigned a contract of more than one million dollars.
You had a blue and white past, how was that?
Everyone knows that I am a fan of Universitario, but getting to the club was very difficult.. In Alianza Lima there were around 600 children and there was the scout from ‘Cholo’ Castillo. I remember that they began to choose and I stayed several years in youth until the Fokker accident.
How did you receive the news of the plane crash?
It was fatal. It affected me a lot. I had friends, it’s not like now that there is a psychologist. In addition, several urban novels were woven.
Have you always been a defender?
I even played goalie. I made a save in Cerro de Pasco, with Universitario, I remember that it was the longest ten minutes of my life. Juan Carlos Zubczuk was sent off, so I put on my gloves. I got good balls. We won 3 to 1.
‘Puchungo’ doesn’t forgive you for your own goal with Melgar. How it happened?
Before the game, he jokingly told me that Juan Aurich was going to beat Melgar where I was playing and that he was going to score an own goal. The captain was to blame, he didn’t choose the pitch well, the Chiclayo air killed us. For us, ‘Panchi’ Pizarro saved. He gives me the ball and it’s open, but I was going to press and I respond sharply. I give it to him, but ‘Panchi’ I think he was talking with the Depor photographer, the wind ended up blowing the ball. When I tried to react, the whole stadium was already shouting the own goal. I turned around and ‘Panchi’ was gone. I didn’t even want to leave the stadium, nor the concentration, but ‘Puchungo’ arrived with ‘Cholo’ Marrou to annoy me.
Who welcomed you when you arrived at ‘Lolo’ Fernández?
The ‘Puma’ Carranza. He arrived super early at ‘Lolo’ Fernández and, then, ‘Pajita’ (utilero) tells me to find my dressing room. They were ‘Puma’, Roberto Martínez… I sat near the window, and ‘Chucho’ Torrealva told me to get out of there, since many had left to sit in that place. I also have an anecdote with Jorge Nicolini.
What is it about?
When I am in Hijos de Yurimaguas, Don Jorge calls me to go to the ‘U’, but first I had to save the category with my team. The subject was discussed, but two days later they also called me from Sporting Cristal. I went to talk with Jorge Nicolini and I told him. Everything was fine, we had already talked, so he told me to go talk to the secretary. He gave me a check for five thousand dollars. I went to my dad, who had a pharmacy across from Congress, and I told him. He thought that he had stolen. With those five thousand dollars I bought the Mazda (car). I gave that car to my old man.
What did it mean to go around the Olympics with the ‘U’ on the ‘Lolo’ Fernández?
It was everyone’s dream. It was the only Olympic lap that the ‘U’ gave. That year (1992), the ‘U’ had a great team. I remember that both that year and in 1993, we played the two finals for the national title against San Agustín.
You were a two-time champion and you shared changing rooms with Juan Reynoso, the current national coach, who directed your son Gustavo at Real Garcilaso…
Juan is a good dancer. I was studying at Alcides Vigo, and at that time we were playing in Alianza. When the children from school show up, I look closely and in the background was Juan, dancing saya. We’ve known each other our whole lives with Juan.
Was the economic proposal of Mérida in Spain the best in your football career?
They offered me a three-year contract. My first game was against Betis, I remember. It was a team of gypsies, the commune gave them the Mérida field. When I arrived at the club, it was a very small city, the most beautiful thing was the Roman circus they had. My best match was against Barcelona at the New Camp. I failed in Merida. I ended up fighting with a physical trainer. I advise you don’t have to do it. I had a contract for one million two hundred thousand dollars, but I regret losing that amount of money. I should have stayed to fulfill my contract. I only stayed two months, but I went to Mexico.
You played for the Rest of the World with monsters. What memories?
I played on the right side and ‘Chemo’ from Solar at center back. It was a match with South Americans. UNIFE calls me, I had my best match with Mérida against Barcelona de Figo. The coach of our team was César Menotti. There were the Ecuadorians Hurtado, ‘Pibe’ Valderrama, Higuita, Palinha, the American Alexis Lalas, I remember they put us in a limo. On the other team was Hristo Stoichkov, the Spanish Amor. Later they invited me to play with Ronaldinho. I arrived with ‘Coyote’ Rivera and ‘Chino’ Pereda. I was not one to take a photo.
Your son Gustavo Dulanto played in the Champions League and beat Benzema’s Real Madrid…
It was all a dream. Those who know Gustavo know his personality, he doesn’t stop until he gets things from him. He usually looks for her. I am sure that he will play in the national team, it would be another dream to come true. Then I went to the second leg in Moldova.
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