After
the initial attempt in 1985 with the ‘Artemio Franchi Cup’, the FIFA
Confederations Cup came closer to fruition in 1992 with a Tournament (still not
under FIFA) that attempted to include teams from the various Confederations.
These
matches were to be hosted during the European Football season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in October.
In
addition to the hosts, the participants were 1991 Copa America victors
Argentina, 1992 African Cup of Nations Champions Ivory Coast and the 1991
CONCACAF Gold Cup winners USA.
The
UEFA European Champions Denmark declined to participate as they had a World Cup
Qualifier on October 14th, 1992.
This
new Tournament was to be under the stewardship of Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Minister of Youth and Sports and President of the Saudi
Arabia Football Federation.
The
Tournament Cost of 3 Million US Dollars was to be paid by two sponsors (One
English and one Saudi).
Alfio
Basile’s Argentina had come full of confidence. They had been on an undefeated
streak since the 1990 World Cup Final. They were a far cry from Carlos
Bilardo’s team of hatchet men. They were an attack-oriented side with Gabriel
Batistuta and Claudio Caniggia providing the goals up front.
Diego
Maradona had just ended his Drugs suspension after a year and had recently
joined Sevilla. He was still short of match practice to be in International
reckoning and was therefore not called up.
Dario
Franco was another absentee. His Spanish Club Real Zaragoza refused to release
him.
Given
their firepower and experience the Argentines were favorites in a Tournament
missing European rivals.
Ivory
Coast were missing a number of key players. AS Monaco’s Youssef Fofana was
injured and other players such as Joel Tiehi (Le Havre), Didier Otokoré (Auxerre) and Moussa Troaré were not released by their clubs.
The
Americans under Yugoslav Manager Bora Milutinovic were preparing for the 1994
World Cup that they would be hosting. Given that no Professional League existed
at the time in the States, the Team was confined to play a record number of
Friendly matches to gain any experience.
The
Tournament kicked off on October 15th, with the hosts Saudi Arabia
taking on the United States.
The
Americans were hampered as early as the 18th minute, after Brian
Quinn was sent off. Milutinovic took off striker Bruce Murray at halftime to
bring in Paul Caligiuri for some defensive stability.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(October 15, 1992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, Saudi Arabia 3-USA 0) |
 |
Photo
From: Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12, December 1992
(Mike lapper and Alroomi, October 15, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Saudi Arabia 3-USA 0) |
This
was to no avail, as early in the second half, US goalkeeper Tony Meola was
adjudged to have fouled Sami Al Jaber in the box. The decision seemed harsh but
the Referee pointed to the spot and Fahad Al Bishi gave
the Saudis the lead. With a man down and a goal down, the US introduced Jean
Harbor, but the hosts took the initiative.
In the 74th minute, Youssef Al Thunyan headed in a free
kick from the left taken by Al-Muwalid and the match was effectively over.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(October
15, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Saudi
Arabia 3-USA 0)
|
Ten minutes later after a series of passes, Fahad Al Bishi gave
the ball to Khalid Al Muwalid who scored from the edge of the box.
The
following day, Argentina took on Ivory Coast at the same venue. The outcome was
never in doubt as Argentina took control from the beginning. Fernando Redondo
was in commanding form in midfield.
Gabriel
Batistuta scored twice in the first ten minutes. Both his goals were scored
after a series of intricate passes. The first one was assisted by Diego Simeone
and for the second one, Batistuta scored from a long range shot from outside of
the box from a pass by Caniggia.
 |
Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3812, 1992
(Fernando Redondo, October 16, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Argentina 4-Ivory Coast
0) |
After
scoring twice so early, Argentina somewhat slowed down and relied on
counterattacks. Ivory Coast were not helped either by the sending off of Sam Abouo in the 15th minute.
Argentina
scored twice more in the second half. In the 67th minute, Acosta
sent Caniggia clear on the right side; he drew Alain
Gouaméné out of his box and
from the touchline sent a cross across the goal. Ricardo Altamirano scored into
the empty net with a diving header.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(Altamirano, October 16, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Argentina 4-Ivory Coast
0) |
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(Claudio Caniggia going past Gouamene, October
16, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Argentina
4-Ivory Coast 0) |
With less than ten minutes remaining, Redondo
found Caniggia who sent Acosta clear to score the fourth.
In addition to Redondo, Simeone and Villareal
had impressed. It had been an excellent demonstration of one touch Football.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 47, December 1992
(Fernando
Redondo, October 16, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for
Nations, Argentina 4-Ivory Coast 0)
|
Three days later, the Ivory Coast faced USA for
the Third Place match and once again, their defensive frailties were exposed in
a heavy (2-5) loss.
 |
Photo
From: Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12, December 1992
(Kone
Brahima and Hugo Perez, October 19, 1992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, USA 5-Ivory Coast 2)
|
 |
Photo
From: Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12, December 1992
(October 19, 21992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, USA 5-Ivory Coast 2) |
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(Eric
Wynalda heading, October 19, 1992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, USA 5-Ivory Coast 2)
|
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(USA
and Ivory Coast squads, October 19, 1992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, USA 5-Ivory Coast 2)
|
The
following day, on October 20th, the Final was played between the
Saudis and Argentina.
Despite playing at home, it was the powerful Argentineans who were favored.
Despite playing at home, it was the powerful Argentineans who were favored.
Playing
with the exact starting lineup as their first match, they gave another
dominating display.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(October
20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Saudi
Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
|
 |
Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3812, 1992
(October
20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Saudi
Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
|
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(Saudi Arabia squad, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina
3) |
Argentina
scored the first goal in the 18th minute, after a series of passes
Simeone found Rodriguez with a long range cross and he scored.
 |
Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3812, 1992
(Diagram
of Rodriguez’s goal, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
|
Just
minutes later, Caniggia received a cross in the box with his back to the goal.
He quickly turned and scored the second.
The
third goal was scored in the 64th minute, Diego Simeone scored from
a rebound after a shot by Batistuta had his the post.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(Gabriel
Batistuta, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for
Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
|
 |
Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3812, 1992
(Gabriel
Batistuta, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for
Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
|
Just
a minute later, Saeed Owairan pulled a goal back for the hosts with an
excellent long-range shot from outside of the box.
Not
Surprisingly Argentina triumphed in this first ‘King Fahd Cup’ and cashed in
$600,000 (The Saudis pocketed $150,000). Fernando Redondo was named as the
Player of the Tournament for his excellent displays.
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, November 1992
(Claudio
Caniggia, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for
Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
|
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 49, February 1993
(Argentina
squad, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for
Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
|
In
a few years time this initial experiment would grow into the current format
under FIFA.
The
next edition of the ‘King Fahd Cup’ was scheduled for 1995.
Argentina
were not done, just a few months later, they did take on Denmark for the
‘Artemio Franchi Cup’ (which we shall discuss in the next edition).
They
also went on to triumph in the 1993 Copa America at the end of the season.
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, November 1992
(Gabriel
Batistuta, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for
Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
|
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(Fernando Redondo Player of the Tournament, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina
3)
|
 |
Photo
From: Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12,
December 1992
(Fernando Redondo, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
|
 |
Photo
From: Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12,
December 1992
(Argentina captain Oscar
Ruggeri, October
20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Saudi
Arabia 1-Argentina 3) |
 |
Photo
From: Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12,
December 1992
(Argentina squad, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3) |
References:
France
Football, Issue 2428, October 20, 1992 (‘La Selection en Demonstration’ by
Francis Huertas)
France
Football, Issue 2429, October 27, 1992 (‘Une Argentina Inter-Continentale’ By
Dhafrallah Mouadhen)
El Grafico Number 3812, 1992 (‘La Seleccion No Es Un
Espejismo’ By Gonzalo Abascal)
Onze-Mondial,
Issue 46, November 1992 (‘L’Or du Desert’ By Thierry Hubac and Alian Gadoffre)
Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12, December 1992
(‘Intercontinental Champions’)
World
Soccer, November 1992 (‘Desert Delights’ By Gary Bloom)
International Cup of Nations Squads:
Argentina:
1-Sergio Javier Goycochea (Club Olimpia Asuncion /
Paraguay) (goalkeeper)
2- Sergio Fabian Vázquez (Club Atlético Rosario Central-Rosario)
3- Ricardo Daniel Altamirano (Club
Atlético River Plate- Buenos Aires)
4- Fabián Armando Basualdo (Club Atlético River Plate- Buenos Aires)
5- Fernando Carlos Redondo Neri (Club Deportivo Tenerife / Spain)
6- Oscar Alfredo Ruggeri (captain) (Ancona
Calcio / Italy)
7- Claudio Paul Caniggia (Associazione Sportiva Roma /
Italy)
8- José Luis Villareal (Club Atlético Boca Juniors
-Buenos Aires)
9-
Gabriel Omar Batistuta (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firezne / Italy)
10-Diego Pablo Simeone (Sevilla Fútbol Club / Spain)
11-Diego Daniel Cagna (Club Atlético Independiente Avellaneda)
12- Luis Alberto Islas (Club
Atlético Independiente Avellaneda) (goalkeeper)
14- Alberto Federico Acosta (Club
Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro- Buenos Aires)
15-
Jorge Horacio Borelli (Racing Club de Avellaneda-Avellaneda - Buenos Aires)
16- Claudio Omar Garcia (Racing Club de
Avellaneda-Avellaneda - Buenos Aires)
18-
Néstor Oscar Craviotto (Club
Atlético Independiente Avellaneda)
20- Leonardo Adrián Rodríguez (Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio / Italy)
21-
Fabian Oscar Cancelarich (Club Atlético Belgrano
de Córdoba) (goalkeeper)
Coach:
Alfio Ruben Basile
Ivory
Coast:
1-Alain Gouaméné (Raja Casablanca /
Morocco)
(goalkeeper)
2-Basile Aka Kouamé (ASEC Minosas)
3-Arsene Hobou (ASEC Minosas)
4-Ibrahima Kone (Africa Sports National)
5-Rufin Lué (Africa Sports National)
6-Sekana Diaby (Stade Brestois 29 /France)
7-Jospeh Gadji Celi (ASEC Minosas)
8-Oumar Ben Salah (Le Mans Football club / France)
10-Abdoulaye Troaré (ASEC Minosas)
12- Nagueu Georges Lignon (Africa Sports National)
14-Lucien Kassy-Kouadio (ASEC Minosas)
16-Losseni Konaté (ASEC Minosas) (goalkeeper)
17-Serge-Alain Maguy (Africa Sports National)
18-Eugene Beugré Yago (Africa Sports National)
19-Sam Abouo (ASEC Minosas)
20-Alain Bédé
21-Donald-Olivier Sié (ASEC Minosas)
22- Lassina Dao (ASEC Minosas)
Coach: Yeo Martial
Saudi
Arabia:
1-Saud Al-Otaibi (Al Shahab) (goalkeeper)
2 -Abdullah Al Dosari (Al Ittihad)
3 -Salem Al Alawi (Al Qadisyah)
4 -Abdulrahman Al Roomi (Al Shahab)
5 -Mohammed Al Khilaiwai (Al Ittihad)
6-Fuad Amin Anwar (Al Shahab)
7 -Saeed Owairan (Al Shahab)
8 -Fahad Al Bishi (Al Nassr)
9 -Hamzah Idris Falatah (Ohud)
10 -Sami Al Jaber (Al Hilal)
11 -Fahad Mehalel (Al Shahab)
12 -Awad Al Anazi (Al Shahab)
14- Khalid Al Muwalid (Al Ahli)
15- Youssef Al Thunayan (Al Hilal)
16-Khaled Al Hazaa (Al Nassr)
18- Saleh Al Dawod (Al Shahab)
19- Hamzah Saleh (Al Ahli)
20- Abdul Al Rozan
21-Shaker Al-Shujaa (Al Shahab) (goalkeeper)
Coach: Nelsinho (Brazil)
USA:
1- Tony Meola (goalkeeper)
2-Jean Michalik
3-Mike Lapper
4-Bruce Murray
6 -John Harkes (Sheffield Wednesday football Club / England)
7-Hugo Perez
8-Dominic Kinenar
9 -Tab Ramos (Real Betis / Spain)
10-Peter Vermes (Figueres / Spain)
11-Eric Wynalda (Saarbrucken / Germany)
12-Jean Harbor
13-Cobi Jones
14-Brian Quinn
15-John De Brito
17-Marcelo Balboa
18-Mark Dodd (goalkeeper)
19-Chris Henderson
20-Paul Caligiuri
21-Fernando Clavijo
2-Roy Wegerle (Blackburn Rovers football Club / England)
Coach: Velibor ‘Bora’ Milutinovic (Yugoslavia)
International
Cup of Nations Matches:
Semifinals:
October
15, 1992- Riyadh, King Fahd Stadium
Referee: Ulisses da Silva
(Brazil)
Attendance:
70,000
Saudi Arabia 3-USA 0 (Fahad Al Bishi 48 pen,
Youssef Al Thunyan 74, Khalid Al Muwalid 84)
Saudi Arabia : 1-Saud Al-Otaibi , 2 -Abdullah Al
Dosari, 4 -Abdulrahman Al Roomi, 3 -Salem Al Alawi, 6-Fuad Amin Anwar, 8-Fahad Al Bishi, 14-Khalid Al Muwalid, 15-Youssef Al Thunyan, 10-Sami
Al-Jaber (11 -Fahad Mehalel 72nd), 7 -Saeed Owairan, 16-Khaled Al
Hazaa
Coach:
Nelsinho (Brazil)
Booked:
Khalid Al Muwalid 19
USA:
1-Tony Meola , 21-Fernando Clavijo, 17-Marcelo
Balboa, 3-Mike Lapper, 6-John Harkes, 14-Brian Quinn, 19-Chris Henderson
(12-Jean Harbor 62nd), 4-Bruce Murray (20-Paul Caliguri 46th),
9-Tab Ramos,7-Hugo Perez, 22-Roy Wegerle
Coach:
Velibor ‘Bora’ Milutinovic (Yugoslavia)
Booked:
Bruce Murray 34, John Harkes 73
Sent
Off: Brian Quinn 18th
Other
Subs: 2- Janusz Michallik ,
8-Dominic Kinnear, 10-Peter Vermes, 11-Eric Wynalda, 13-Cobi Jones , 15-John De
Brito, 18-Mark Dodd
October
16, 1992- Riyadh, King Fahd Stadium
Referee: Jamal
Sharif (Syria)
Attendance:
15,000
Argentina 4-Ivory Coast 0 (Gabriel Batistuta
2, 10, Ricardo Altamirano 67, Alberto Acosta 81)
Argentina: 1-Sergio Goycochea, 2- Sergio Vázquez, 3- Ricardo Altamirano, 4-
Fabián Basualdo, 6- Oscar
Ruggeri (captain), 5- Fernando
Redondo, 8- José Luis Villareal (11-Diego Cagna 75th), 10-Diego Simeone,
20- Leonardo Rodríguez (14-
Alberto Acosta 67th), 7- Claudio Caniggia, 9- Gabriel Batistuta
Coach:
Alfio Basile
Booked:
Sergio Vazquez 13
Other
Subs: 12- Luis Islas, 15- Jorge
Borelli, 16- Claudio Garcia, 18-
Néstor Craviotto, 21- Fabian
Cancelarich
Ivory
Coast: 1-Alain Gouaméné, 2- Basile Aka Kouamé, 6-Sekana Diaby, 19-Sam Abouo , 22- Lassina Dao, 7-Jospeh Gadji
Celi, 14-Lucien Kassy-Kouadio (12- Nagueu Georges Lignon 56th),
17-Serge-Alain Maguy, 21-Donald-Olivier Sié, 8-Oumar Ben
Salah (18-Eugene Beugré Yago 84th), 10-Abdoulaye
Troaré
Coach:
Yeo Martial
Booked:
Sam Abouo 6, Gadji Celi 45
Sent Off: Sam Abouo 15th
Third Place Match
October
19, 1992- Riyadh, King Fahd Stadium
Referee: Rodrigo Segueira
(Costa Rica)
Attendance:
9,500
USA 5-Ivory Coast 2 (Marcelo Balboa
12, Cobi Jones 31, Eric Wynalda 56, Bruce Murray 67, 83 / Abdoulaye Troaré 16, Donald-Olivier Sié 83)
USA: 1-Tony Meola, 21-Fernando Clavijo, 17-Marcelo
Balboa, 3-Mike Lapper, 20-Pau; Caliguri, 2-Janusz Michalik, 19-Chris Henderson
(13-Cobi Jones 27th), 4-Bruce Murray, 7-Hugo Perez, 11-Eric Wynalda,
10-Peter Vermes (8-Dominic Kinnear 73rd)
Coach:
Velibor ‘Bora’ Milutinovic (Yugoslavia)
Other
Subs: 6- John Harkes, 9 -Tab Ramos
, 14- Brian Quinn (suspended), 15 -John De Brito , 12 - Jean
Harbor, 18 Mark Dodd , 22-Roy Wegerle
Ivory
Coast: 1-Alain Gouaméné, 2- Basile Aka Kouamé, 4-Ibrahima Kone, 5-Rufin Lué, 6-Sekana
Diaby, 8-Oumar Ben Salah, 10-Abdoulaye Troaré, 12- Nagueu
Georges Lignon, 18-Eugene Beugré Yago (14-Lucien Kassy-Kouadio 63rd),
21-Donald-Olivier Sié, 22- Lassina Dao (7-Jospeh Gadji Celi
46th)
Coach:
Yeo Martial
Booked: Salah Sekana 27, Olivier Sie 37Final
October
20, 1992- Riyadh, King Fahd Stadium
Referee: Lim Kee Chong (Mauritius)
Attendance:
75,000
Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3 (Saeed Owairan 65 / Leonardo
Rodriguez 18, Claudio Caniggia 24, Diego Simeone 64)
Saudi Arabia: 1-Saud Al-Otaibi , 2 -Abdullah Al
Dosari, 4 -Abdulrahman Al Roomi, 3 -Salem Al Alawi, 6-Fuad Amin Anwar, 5
-Mohammed Al Khilaiwai, 8-Fahad Al Bishi (20-
Abdul Al Rozan 67th ), 14-Khalid Al Muwalid, 16-Khaled Al Hazaa, 7
-Saeed Owairan, 10-Sami Al-Jaber (11 -Fahad Mehalel 65th)
Coach:
Nelsinho (Brazil)
Booked: Fuad Amin Anwar 47
Other
Subs: 21-Shaker Al-Shujaa, 12 -Awad Al Anazi, 9
-Hamzah Idris Falatah, 15-Youssef Al Thunyan
Argentina: 1-Sergio Goycochea, 2- Sergio Vázquez, 3- Ricardo Altamirano, 4-
Fabián Basualdo, 6- Oscar
Ruggeri (captain), 5- Fernando
Redondo, 8- José Luis Villareal (11-Diego Cagna 81st), 10-Diego Simeone,
20- Leonardo Rodríguez (14-
Alberto Acosta 73rd), 7- Claudio Caniggia, 9- Gabriel Batistuta
Coach:
Alfio Basile
Booked: Diego Simeone 29, Fabian Basualdo 62, Oscar
Ruggeri
Other
Subs: 12- Luis Islas, 15- Jorge
Borelli, 16- Claudio Garcia, 18-
Néstor Craviotto, 21- Fabian
Cancelarich
Top
Goalscorer- Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina) 2 goals
Bruce Murray (USA) 2 goals
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