Manchester United, World Champions 1999
30th November 1999
Palmeiras 0 vs 1 Manchester Utd.
Roy Keane (35)
Toyota World Club Cup Champions 1999
UNITED CLAIM FIRST WORLD CROWN
Manchester United havebeen crowned World Club Champions in 1999- the last ever Toyota
World Club Cup game to be played! In the 21st Century, there will be a new FIFA World Club
Championship, the first to be played in Brazil in Jan 2000.
This tourament was first played Home and Away basis between Europe and S.American teams
in the 70's. The two-leg format gave way to a single game in Tokyo in 1980 and it
has been that way ever since. The competition has struggled in terms of status with
several teams - particularly in Europe - choosing not to take part. But until the recent
instigation of the FIFA World Club Championship, which takes place in Brazil next January,
it was the only way any club could claim to be the World Champions.
Match Report
Reds captain Roy Keane lifted the Inter Continental Cup after scoring the winning goal in
the 35th minute. But he will know that Mark Bosnich was largely to thank for the 1-0
result, after makingseveral great saves to deny Palmeiras.
The happy outcome exorcised the demons from thirty-one years ago when Manchester United
made their one previous
appearance in the World Club Championship, against Estudiantes.Far off Buenos Aires was
the venue for the first leg in 1968 and it would be an understatement to say it was a less
than edifying experience! Nobby Stiles was sent off and United, bruised and battered,
slipped to a 1-0 defeat. The second leg wasn't much better with the Argentinians scoring
first to virtually kill off the game before Willie Morgan netted late on to give United
scant consolation for their efforts.
Certainly it would be well nigh impossible to stop Manchester United's enormous following
from hailing United
as the 'Champions of the World' if victory was secured against Palmeiras, the Champions of
South America.
The clubs approached the game in quite contrasting ways with United arriving in the
Japanese capital on Saturday to
allow themselves just three days' preparation ahead of the game. Palmeiras, on the other
hand, made their camp in Tokyo
ten days ago and included two friendly games in their build-up to the big day.
United had been accused of not taking the match seriously but Sir Alex Ferguson's team
selection certainly suggested
that he was keen to see the Inter-Continental Cup displayed alongside the fabulous
'treble'.
The early moments of the game appeared to confound those pundits who thought United were
all set to take the
competition lightly. United threatened to sweep the Brazilians off the Olympic
Stadium pitch with a series of rapid attacks. Ryan Giggs and David Beckham threatened to
undo the
Palmeiras defence each time they set off down the flanks. The Reds failed to capitalise on
their early domination and
they nearly paid for this in the 20th minute when Palmeiras striker Alex went within
inches of breaching Mark Bosnich's
goal. Alex was prominent again, moments later, when a cross came in from the left but he
again narrowly failed to find the
net. Palmeiras, much to the delight of their 3,000 travelling fans, weathered the storm
well, but just when it appeared they
were getting a foothold in the game, United struck.Giggs once again weaved his magic down
the left before
crossing to the far post where skipper Roy Keane arrived on the blind-side of the
Brazilian defence to shoot into an
unguarded net.
The second half saw United come under considerable pressure from the Palmeiras attack and
time after time the
Reds were grateful to the incredible form of Mark Bosnich. United's goalkeeper was truly
inspirational to keep the
Brazilians at bay as they went all out to put themselves back in the game. Many times the
South American champions bore down on Bosnich's goal, but he used everything in his power
to keep them out. Paolo Nunes, Alex and Euller all put the Reds' goal under threat but
Bosnich stood firm to keep United well on course to collect the Toyota Cup. Giggs should
have sunk the Brazilians in the 59th minute when he found himself free in front of goal,
but his shot zipped wide of the far post. United continued to live dangerously, but as
time ticked away it became increasingly unlikely that the Brazilians
would carve out an equaliser. And they had to endure a nervy last few minutes before they
eventually climbed the steps to be presented with two awards - the Inter Continental Cup
and the Toyota Cup.
Remarkably, Ryan Giggs also received a giant key and a Toyota car for his nomination as
the Man of the Match.
Why Mark Bosnich wasn't the recipient only the match judges know! The Australian 'keeper
was absolutely magnificent and
arguably the main reason Manchester United can boast yet another new title of 'World
Champions'. That is, at least,
until January when they jet out to Brazil for FIFA's new version of a championship for the
world's best clubs.
3reble Winners 1999
CHAMPIONE, CHAMPIONE, OLE, OLE, OLE, WE SHALL NOT WE
SHALL NOT BE MOVED
WE SHALL NOT WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED, JUST LIKE A TEAM
HAT HAS WON THE TREBLE
WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED!
Click here to saviour the great
moments of that magical night
EUROPEAN CUP, FA CUP
AND PREMIERSHIP WINNERS
FA Cup Final
Man U 2 vs Newcastle U 0
Sheringham 11
Scholes 52
This scoreline was no surprise to everyone. An expected victory but it was Newcastle
who started stronger. With a hard tackle, Roy Keane was injured. Teddy Sheringham replaced
him, that proved to be an outstanding replacement, not a big loss to United as he open the
scoring in 11th min, 2 min after he came on.1-0 to United. The rest of the half was
nothing significant as both side missed good chances. After the restart, Newcastle was a
better side till Ole Gunner Solskjaer robbed the ball away from a defender, pass to
Sheringham who supplied to Scholes who finished the move with an excellent Goal. The
opening Goal was ironically supplied by Scholes to Sheringham. It was a gesture of thanks
to both palyers. There were no furthur scoring despite Newcastle coming closer through
Ketsbaia, whose shot hits the post and Maric failed to score when a golden chance was
presented to him.
Last Premiership Match of the season
Man U 2 Vs Tottenham Hotspur 1
This game was played on the day of my Camp Regimental Duty. I was lucky that there was
a TV in the Duty Room. It was a match I would never forget. United started the game well
but missed several good chances till the 25th minute when Iversen of Spurs supplied a long
ball to Ferdinand who in turn out paced Ronnie Johnsen to place the ball onto the inner
right hand side netting of Schmeichel's goal. 1-0 to Spurs, all United fans were stunned.
United attacked more dangerously then but failed to score with Cole, Scholes and Yorke
missing clear chances. That changed at 43th minute when Scholes started a move to Giggs,
Giggs back to Scholes and Scholes to Beckham to fire a curling shot to the roof of Spurs
net. Goal. 1-1. Old Trafford erupts and United fans celebrate that wonderful Goal.
After the restart, at 48th minute, Gary Neville sent a long ball to Cole, Cole controls
it well, brought it to the penalty area, chipped the ball, everyone held their breath, the
ball sailed pass Ian Walker, the Spurs Keeper and into the empty net. United were in
dreamland. Old Trafford went crazy. It is still not over yet as Spurs began to fight
back and Arsenal, the team challenging United went ahead. If United concede a late strike
from Spurs, Arsenal will win the title by two points. Thankfully, Spurs failed to score
and United won the title for the 12th time. 5th title in seven seasons.
The Yorke Cole partnership
whose Goals contributed to winning the Treble for United.
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