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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(Logo) |
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(Logo) |
After many experiments, the now current Confederations
Cup was established with the 1997 Edition.
The Tournament formerly known as ‘King Fahd Cup’ was now under the
FIFA heading and was re-titled as the FIFA Confederations Cup (with $1.5
Million US Dollars prize money for the winners).
Just like the 1992 and 1995 Editions, this one would also be
staged in Saudi Arabia, though changes in venue/location/etc would be on the
horizon.
The Tournament now contained more teams, as all Confederations
were to be included. Eight Nations were to be placed in two round robin Groups
followed by semifinals and Final.
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(The
Trophy)
|
To ensure the availability of the strongest squads possible, FIFA
had set this Tournament as part of their International calendar dates (more
than a year prior), therefore clubs were bound to release their players for
these International dates.
As the 1994 defending World Cup Champions, Brazil made their first
appearance in the Competition. The Brazilians managed by Mario Zagallo were
restricted to mostly friendlies to prepare for the World Cup. They took every
opportunity to play in as many venues as possible in that year of 1997. They
had taken part in the 1997 Tournoi in France, followed by the Copa America in
Bolivia as well as many friendlies. Many suspected that they had been forced by
their kit sponsors Nike to play in many matches (but that is another matter).
Brazil’s main attraction was the number one player of the time,
Ronaldo. He was just days away from winning the Ballon d’Or and was at the top
of his game. His strike partner was none other than Romario, Brazil’s 1994
Hero, who was now back into International reckoning after a couple of years
away. The Team still contained holdovers from the 1994 triumph such as Captain
Carlos Dunga, Aldair, Cafu and Bebeto. The newcomers included the likes of
Juninho and Rivaldo, who had been integrated after the World Cup.
Brazil’s one main absentee was its starting goalkeeper Claudio
Taffarel, who was not released, nor was his back-up Carlos Germano. This forced
Zagallo to start with the inexperienced Dida as his starting goalkeeper for
this competition.
Other teams participating, included the Saudi Arabian hosts and
organizers, who had won the 1996 Asian Nations Cup. The Asian Cup runner-ups
United Arab Emirates participated as well with former Czechsolovakia Manager
Milan Macala at the helm.
The 1996 African Nations Cup Champions South Africa were there
with a contingent of foreign-based based players such as Masinga, Fish, etc.
Two of their English-based players Captain and Leeds United
defender Lucas Radebe and Barnsley’s Eric Tinkler were to join the team after
the beginning of the Tournament.
The South Africans would be without Ajax Amsterdam based striker
Benedict McCarthy who was not released.
Former England Manager Terry Venables was in charge of the 1996
Oceania Champions Australia (who boasted many English-based players). Just
weeks prior they had suffered heartbreak upon elimination from the World Cup
after a playoff with Iran.
1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup Champions Mexico participated with a new
Manager Manuel Lapuente. They had just fired their Manager Bora Milutinovic
after the team had qualified for the World Cup.
They were missing key players such as Carlos Hermosillo, Garcia
Aspe, Luis Roberto Alves 'Zague’ and Benjamin Galindo.
As UEFA European Champions, Germany should have participated but
they declined the invitation due to scheduling conflicts. Their spot was taken
by the runner-up in the 1996 Euros, the Czech Republic. They had been
eliminated in the World Cup qualifiers and their Manager Dusan Uhrin was on the
verge of being sacked.
Uruguay, the 1995 Copa America Champions, completed the
participants. They had also failed to qualify for the World Cup and their
Manager Victor Pua was intent on building a team for the future. As many as
seven of his own managed 1997 Under-20 World Cup participants (in Malaysia)
were called up. Pua, who had just replaced Roque
Gastón Maspoli as Manager, clearly regarded this competition for experimental
purposes and chose few veterans (such as Montero and Mendez for stability in
defense).
Uruguay’s hope for the future was Ronaldo’s teammate at
Internazionale Milano, Alvaro Recoba.
With the World Cup months away, this competition gave an
opportunity for other Nations’ managers to observe future opponents. France
Manager Aime Jacquet was among those inspecting opponents. He was there to
observe Saudi Arabia and South Africa who had been grouped with France for the
World Cup.
The Tournament and the Group A matches kicked off on December 12th,
1997, with the Saudi hosts taking on Brazil at Riyadh’s King Fahd International Stadium (the
venue of all the matches).
Brazil,
predictably won (3-0), but the deadlock was only broken in the second half,
just as Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Zubromawi had been sent off in the 64th minute.
César
Sampaio opened the scoring with a header and afterwards Romario struck twice
from close range tap-ins (73rd, 80th) to end the Saudi
resistance.
Despite
the win, Brazil had struggled and looked ill at ease.
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
12, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Saudi Arabia 0-Brazil 3)
|
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 2697, December 16, 1997
(December 12, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup,
Saudi Arabia 0-Brazil 3) |
After this match, the other ‘Group A’ participants, Australia and
Mexcio faced off.
Australian took the initiative and defeated the Mexicans (3-1)
from goals by Mark
Viduka (45th),
John Aloisi (61st) and Damian Mori just before the end.
Mexico’s
sole reply was a penalty kick by Luis Hernández (80th).
After
one round of matches Brazil and Australia had already seemed likely to qualify
to the semifinals.
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
12, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Mexico 1-Australia 3)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
12, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Mexico 1-Australia 3)
|
Two
days later (December 14th), Mexico gained a measure of respect by
defeating the Saudi hosts (5-0) from goals by Jose Francisco Palencia (19th,
62nd), Cuauhtémoc Blanco (70th, 78th) and
Braulio Luna (76th).
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
14, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Saudi Arabia 0-Mexico 5)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 113, June 1998
(December
14, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Saudi Arabia 0-Mexico 5)
|
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Photo
From: World Soccer, July 1998
(December
14, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Saudi Arabia 0-Mexico 5)
|
Afterwards,
Brazil and Australia played to a dismal scoreless draw that did not enhance
either team’s reputation, especially the more favored Brazilians.
For
this match, Zagallo made some changes (to either rest players or try different
options).
Cafu,
Ze Roberto, Romario and Denilson made way for Ze Maria, Roberto Carlos, Bebeto
and Rivaldo.
Zagallo stated, “we had five clear chances, we were mostly in
Australia’s side of the field but they had been prepared to resist us”.
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 46, April 2006
(Mark
Viduka, December 14, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Australia 0-Brazil 0)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
14, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Australia 0-Brazil 0)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
14, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Australia 0-Brazil 0)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
14, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Australia 0-Brazil 0)
|
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Photo
From: World Soccer, April 1998
(Ronaldo,
December 14, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Australia 0-Brazil 0)
|
Two
days later (December 16th), Group A’s last matches took place with
Saudi Arabia facing Australia and Brazil vs. Mexico.
The
Saudis had already been eliminated after being outscored (0-8) and not many
gave them a chance against Australia. However, the hosts surprised everyone by
defeating Australia (1-0) through a strike by Mohammed Al-Khilaiwi (40th).
The Saudis German Manager Otto Pfister was on his way out and during this competition, it was
announced that the Brazilian Carlos Alberto Pareira would take over to manage
the squad for the upcoming World Cup.
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
16, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Saudi Arabia 1-Australia 0)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 27, April 1998
(December
16, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Saudi Arabia 1-Australia 0)
|
For
the last match in this Group, Brazil defeated Mexico (3-2) in yet another
unconvincing performance.
Romario
had given Brazil the lead through a spot kick (40th), before
Cuauhtémoc Blanco (52nd) tied the match.
Denilson
(58th) and Júnior Baiano (66th) scored two further goals
for Brazil, before Jesús Ramon Ramírez (89th) pulled a goal back for Mexico from a free kick.
Once
again, Zagallo had rotated his lineup. César Sampaio, Bebeto, Leonardo and Rivaldo were
rested to be replaced in the lineup with the returning captain Carlos Dunga
(his first appearance in the Cup), Juninho, Denilson and Romario.
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
16, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 3-Mexico 2)
|
‘Group
B’ matches took place a day after the First Group on December 13th.
The Young Uruguay side defeated the United Arab Emirates (2-0) through goals by
Nicolas Olivera (45th) and Antonio Pacheco (90th).
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
13, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, United Arab Emirates 0-Uruguay 2)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
13, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, United Arab Emirates 0-Uruguay 2)
|
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Photo
From: Libero
(Uruguay
squad, December 13, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, United Arab Emirates
0-Uruguay 2)
|
Afterwards,
South Africa (without Radebe and Tinkler) and the Czech Republic tied (2-2).
Vladimir
Smicer scored twice for the Czechs (20th, 40th). Brendan
Augustine (39th) had pulled a goal back for the South Africans and
with the match seemingly headed for a Czech win; Helman Mkhaele (86th)
tied the match.
This
was after the sending off of the Czech captain Jiri Nemec (83rd).
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
13, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, South Africa 2-Czech Republic 2)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 27, April 1998
(December
13, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, South Africa 2-Czech Republic 2)
|
Two
days later (December 15th), South Africa were virtually eliminated
after losing (0-1) to the United Arab Emirates who struck early in the match
(Hassan Mubarak 5th minute).
Radebe
and Tinkler had been expected to line up for South Africa for this match, but
had missed their flight and would only be available for their last match in the
Group.
South Africa Manager Clive Barker stated, “If we played for
another 90 minutes, we still would not have scored”.
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
15, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, United Arab Emirates 1-South Africa 0)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
15, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, United Arab Emirates 1-South Africa 0)
|
Uruguay
took maximum points once again by defeating the Czech Republic (2-1) for the
day’s second match.
The
Czechs were missing the suspended Captain Jiri Nemec. Pavel Kuka captained in
his absence.
Nicolas
Olivera (25th) and Marcelo Zalayeta (28th) gave the
Uruguayans a (2-0) halftime lead, before Horst Siegl pulled a goal back for the
Czechs just before the end. The Czechs
were not helped with the sending off of Karel Poborsky (40th minute)
for kicking Olivera.
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
15, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Czech Republic 1-Uruguay 2)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(Czech
Republic squad, December 15, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Czech Republic
1-Uruguay 2)
|
Two
days later (December 17th), the Czech Republic demolished the United
Arab Emirates (6-1) to qualify to the next round. An own goal (11th)
had given the Czechs the lead and further goals followed with a double from
Pavel Nedved (22nd, 42nd) and a hat trick from Vladimir
Smicer (30th, 68th, 71st).
Smicer
had now scored five goals in the Cup. United Arab Emirates pulled a goal back
from Adnan Al-Talyani (78th).
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
17, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, United Arab Emirates 1-Czech Republic 6)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
17, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, United Arab Emirates 1-Czech Republic 6)
|
In
another entertaining match, Uruguay won its third match in the Group and
defeated South Africa (4-3).
The
South African captain Lucas Radebe made his debut in the Cup by opening the
scoring (11th). Uruguay then scored three unanswered goals through Dario Silva (12th,
66th) and Alvaro Recoba (42nd).
South
Africa would tie the match from goals by Helman Mkhaele (70th) and Pollen Ndlanya
(77th).
At
the death, Uruguay scored the winning goal through Christian Callejas.
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
17, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Uruguay 4-South Africa 3)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
17, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Uruguay 4-South Africa 3)
|
The
Semifinals were held on December 19th, with Brazil taking on the
Czech Republic and Australia facing Uruguay.
Zagallo
made two changes from the Mexico match. Cafu started in defense in place of Ze
Maria and Leonardo replaced Denilson (Denilson had suffered a shoulder injury
in the match vs. Mexico).
The
score being scoreless at halftime, Zagallo sent on Denilson to replace Leonardo
for a more attacking bite.
Brazil
won through a double strike from Romario (53rd) and Ronaldo (82nd).
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
19, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 2-Czech Republic 0)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
19, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 2-Czech Republic 0)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 108, January 1998
(December
19, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 2-Czech Republic 0)
|
Australia’s
match vs. Uruguay was very tight and remained scoreless for full time and had
to go into overtime.
Just
two minutes into the Overtime, Harry Kewell scored Australia’s winning goal
from a long-range shot to set up the Final with their first round opponents Brazil.
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
19, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Uruguay 0-Australia 1)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
19, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Uruguay 0-Australia 1)
|
The
Final and the Third place match were to take place two days later (December 21st).
The
Czech Republic defeated Uruguay (1-0) from a goal by Eduard Lasota (62nd)
to win the Third place match.
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
21, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Czech Republic 1-Uruguay 0)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
21, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Czech Republic 1-Uruguay 0)
|
Afterwards
Brazil took on Australia for the Final. Zagallo once again made changes to his
lineup. César Sampaio and Denilson started ahead of Leonardo and Flavio Conceição.
Their previous meeting in the first round had been a
tight affair that had ended scoreless. This would be anything but as Brazil
tore Australia apart. Of course, their task was made easier when Australia’s
Mark Viduka was sent off as early as the 24th minute. At this stage
Brazil were already leading (1-0) through a Ronaldo (15th) strike.
Just minutes after the sending off, Ronaldo scored
his second (28th) by poking in a cross lofted into the box.
Terry
Venables would be forced to make a double substitution right afterwards (30th
minute) by taking off Tony Vidmar and Aurelio Vidmar and replacing them with Kevin Muscat
and John Aloisi.
By
now the outcome was a foregone conclusion and the rest of the match would be a
shooting practice for the Brazilians.
Romario
(38th, 53rd, 75th penalty kick) and Ronaldo
(59th) would both score hat tricks in Brazil’s (6-0) win to earn
Brazil’s its first ever FIFA Confederations Cup.
Zagallo later said, “tonight my squad played the attacking game
that I like, even at 3-0 up we played tactically and collectively as if we did
not have the advantage. The team progressed during the matches and proved that
football is not only about physical strength. Now we must play like that at the
World Cup”.
This had been Brazil’s 24th match of the calendar year.
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(Team
captains, December 21, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 6-Australia 0)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
21, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 6-Australia 0)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
21, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 6-Australia 0)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(December
21, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 6-Australia 0)
|
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 2698, December 23, 1997
(December
21, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 6-Australia 0)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 108, January 1998
(December
21, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 6-Australia 0)
|
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Photo
From: World Soccer, February 1998
(December
21, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 6-Australia 0)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(Brazil
squad, December 21, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 6-Australia 0)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(Brazil
squad, December 21, 1997, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 6-Australia 0)
|
Denilson sealed his place in the team in line for the World Cup
after his positive displays. During the Tournament, it was announced that he
had signed for a then World Record Fee to join Real Betis after the World Cup.
He was awarded the ‘Adidas Golden Ball’ as the player of the
Tournament (followed by Romario and Smicer).
Rivaldo and Juninho had been disappointing for Brazil and
especially Juninho was guilty of losing too many balls during matches.
The late call-up Junior Baiano earned points to become Aldair’s
central defensive partner en route for the World Cup.
Pele would enter the fray by criticizing Zagallo for constantly
changing his lineups. According to Pele, this disrupted harmony and collective
play.
Zagallo would retort that Pele was a great player but would be a
horrible manager. According to Zagallo, when it came to coaching he would
always be the teacher and Pele the pupil. Furthermore, Zagallo stated that he
could do without his advice and reminded that Pele had predicted Colombia would
win the 1994 World Cup.
For Australia, Harry Kewell was the main standout in a team that
were just a decade away from qualifying for the World Cup regularly.
This competition was a shopping window for the young Uruguayan
side and soon afterwards Marcelo Zalayeta and Martin Rivas would join Juventus
and Internazionale Milano.
Dusan Uhrin ended his time with the Czech Republic National Team
but almost immediately was appointed as the Manager of United Arab Emirates
club Al-Nasser.
The only consolation for the South Africans was in winning the
‘Fair Play’ award for their exemplary disciplinary record during the Cup.
Romario won the ‘Adidas Golden Shoe’ as the Tournament’s top
goalscorer (followed by Smicer and Ronaldo).
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 108, January 1998
(Ronaldo,
Smicer and Romario)
|
This competition was here to stay and become a permanent fixture
of the game. However, there were still many criticisms given its format and the
fact that it was being held in the middle of the European Football season.
Many criticized how teams played matches every two days. This was
an injury risk to players already solicited by their clubs in already busy
calendar schedule. The visiting foreign Managers France’s Aime Jacquet and
Holland’s Gus Hiddink echoed this sentiment.
There was also concern that some teams may have been more
motivated than others. Brazil’s players had every intention to stand out to
make the World Cup, but critics observed that a team like Czech Republic that
had already missed World Cup qualification with a Manager seemingly set for the
sack could not have been too motivated.
Not to mention that a team like Uruguay essentially presented its
U-20 squad.
There was still some work to be done for this competition to
gather relevance in the eyes of many, but the present day Confederations Cup
was here to stay.
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 108, January 1998
(Brazil
squad)
|
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Photo
From: FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
(Dunga holding the trophy) |
Notes:
1-Brazil’s
original squad included AC Milan defender Andre Cruz. Junior Baiano was called
up after Andre Cruz had to bow out due to injury.
Likewise, Doriva had been called up to replace the injured Bayer
Leverkusen midfielder Emerson.
2-During the Tournament, Brazil’s entire squad had their heads
shaved. Initially, as a farce, a player’s hair was shaved while he was asleep.
To avoid punishment, Leonardo and Dunga decided that they
should all shave their heads.
In some circles, this incident was highlighted to show how united
the Brazilian players were.
3-The United Arab Emirates suspended for one year, Zouhair Bakheet
for arriving late to trainings.
Milan Macala called up Adnan Al-Talyani to cover his absence.
4-The Mastercard all star team:
Goalkeeper:
Mohamed Al-Deaya (Saudi Arabia)
Defenders:
Michel Hornak (Czech Republic), Mark Fish (South Africa), Junior Baiano (Brazil), David Nyathi (South
Africa)
Midfielders:
Carlos Dunga (Brazil), Roberto Carlos (Brazil), Ned Zelic (Australia),
Nicolas Olivera (Uruguay)
Forwards:
Vladimir Smicer (Czech Republic), Romario (Brazil)
Substitutes:
Mark Bosnich (Australia), Paolo Montero (Uruguay), Denislon (Brazil)
References:
World
Soccer, February 1998
France
Football, Issue 2697, December 16,1997
France
Football, Issue 2697 bis, December 19,1997
France
Football, Issue 2698, December 23,1997
France
Football, Issue 2701, January 13,1998
World
Soccer, April 1998
L’Equipe
Magazine, May 9, 1998
Onze-Mondial,
Issue 108, January 1998
Onze-Mondial,
Issue 113, June 1998
France
Football, Issue 2722, June 9,1998
France
Football, Issue 3138, May 30, 2006
se
Lvickem na prsou-Authors O.Bartunek, J.Kalat
Onze-Mondial,
Hors Serie 27, April 1998
France
Football, Issue 2700 bis, January 9, 1998
World
Soccer, July 1998
Seleccao
Brasileira -90 Anos 1914-2004, Authors Antonio Carlos Napoleao, Roberto Assaf
FIFA Report- 1997 Arábia Saudita
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