Former Peruvian international defender Alfonso “Pocho” Dulanto recently opened up about his career, detailing how a tragic plane crash in 1987 caused him to temporarily walk away from Alianza Lima, his unexpected physical growth spurt, and his unconventional transition from counting cardboard boxes in a warehouse to playing professional soccer.
From Counting Cartardboard to the Professional Pitch
Before establishing himself in Peruvian professional soccer, Dulanto worked at the commercial enterprise Lau Chun. Recalling his early working life, he explained that his initial duties involved laboring in the warehouse and counting cardboard sheets before eventually advancing to a sales role, earning a steady income that allowed him to maintain two streams of revenue while playing recreational matches for the company team.
When the opportunity arose to join Deportivo Yurimaguas, Dulanto consulted company executive Jorge Lau regarding his career trajectory. According to Dulanto, Lau offered him formal stability and educational pathways within the corporate structure, warning him against leaving for a modest salary. Dulanto ultimately chose the pitch over the warehouse, accepting a monthly wage of 100 dollars at Yurimaguas, even though he acknowledged earning higher wages while working for Lau. His mother left the ultimate career decision in his hands, paving the way for his professional debut.
The Tragedy That Halted an Early Career
Though widely associated with Universitario de Deportes later in his career, Dulanto first entered the competitive ranks through Alianza Lima. Guided by an uncle who befriended associate Coqui Maldonado, Dulanto successfully tried out for the club and crossed paths with emerging prospects like Braulio Tejada.
That momentum halted abruptly with the 1987 aviation disaster involving the Alianza Lima team aircraft. Dulanto recalled learning about the tragedy through early morning radio broadcasts the following day, prompting him and several friends to visit the nearby coastline in search of news. The disaster claimed the life of his close friend and teammate Braulio Tejada, whose proximity to Matute Stadium meant Dulanto frequently shared the pitch with him alongside Jorge and Pepe Soto. Overwhelmed by the loss, Dulanto stepped away from the sport entirely for a difficult year before eventually returning to competitive play.
An Accidental Growth Spurt and International Stints
Reflecting on his physical development, Dulanto noted that his stature changed drastically during his formative athletic years. Initially playing as a right or left winger while standing at 1.76 meters upon joining Universitario, he later discovered during a national team evaluation that he had grown to 1.83 and a half meters without noticing the change.
His professional path later took him abroad to Greece, an overseas adventure that provided lasting memories and even a working vocabulary. Dulanto surprised interviewers by demonstrating that he still retained the ability to count in Greek from his time residing with fellow player Percy Olivares.
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