WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Spotlight : THE HEAT MIGHT BE GETTING TO HIM

“It may sound as if the heat is becoming something of an obsession with Charlton, but the sight of Germany wilting visibly in Dallas against South Korea left an indelible impression. And when visitors to Florida are advised by the local tourist board not to expose themselves to the sun for more than 15 minutes when it is at its height, to expect northern Europeans to play at midday is tilting the balance against them.

“ ‘When the Germans were still running, they were much too powerful for South Korea. They looked likely to score every time they went forward,’ Charlton said. ‘But by the second half they had to stop running and in the end they could have drawn or even lost.

“ ‘What I hadn’t realized is that dehydration affects you mentally as well as physically. The brain stops taking in information properly, fails to recognize situations and you’re less likely to choose the right options. You could see that with the Germans and you can see that with some of our players as well.’ ”