Compendium to the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup-Part 1 (Squads Group A)

1999 FIFA Confederations Cup Squads:

I. Group A:

Mexico: (1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup winners and organizers)

Goalkeepers:

1-Jorge Campos (Club UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México)- Ciudad de México (Mexico City) –Pumas) (October 15, 1966, Acapulco) (age 32 years at the time)

12-Oscar Pérez (Club Deportivo Social y Cultural Cruz Azul, Atletico Club-(Cementeros)- Ciudad de México (Mexico City) (February 1, 1973, Mexico City) (age 26 years at the time)

Defenders:

2-Claudio Suárez (El Deportivo Guadalajara S. A. de C. V.- Chivas Rayadas) (December 17, 1968, Texcoco) (age 30 years at the time)

3-Joél Sánchez (El Deportivo Guadalajara S. A. de C. V.- Chivas Rayadas) (August 17, 1974, Zapotiltic, Jalisco) (age 24 years at the time)

4- Rafael Márquez (Club de Fútbol Atlas (Zorros), Atletico Club - Guadalajara) (February 13, 1979, Zamora, Michoacan) (age 20 years at the time)

13- Pavel Pardo (Club de Fútbol América S. A. de C. V. (Aguilas) - Ciudad de México-Mexico City) (July 26, 1976, Guadalajara) (age 22-23 years at the time)

14-Isaac Terrazas  (Club de Fútbol América S. A. de C. V. (Aguilas) - Ciudad de México (Mexico City) (January 23, 1973, Mexico City) (age 26 years at the time)

18- Salvador Carmona (Deportivo Toluca Futbol Club, S.A. De C.V.-Toluca -Diablos) (August 22, 1975, Mexico City) (age 23 years at the time)

Midfielders:

5-Gerardo Torrado (Club UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México)- Ciudad de México (Mexico City) –Pumas) (April 30, 1979, Mexico City) (age 20 years at the time)

6- Germán Villa (Impulsora del Deportivo Necaxa SA- Ciudad de México -Mexico City) (April 2, 1973, Mexico City) (age 26 years at the time)

7- Jesús Ramon Ramírez (Sinergia Deportiva, SA de CV (Club Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León-Tigres) (December 5, 1969, Tepic, Nayarit) (age 29 years at the time)

8- Alberto Garcia Aspe  (Fútbol Soccer S. A. de C. V. - Puebla Fútbol Club)  (May 11, 1967, Mexico City) (age 32 years at the time)

16-Jesús Arellano (El Deportivo Guadalajara S. A. de C. V.- Chivas Rayadas)  (May 8, 1973, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon) (age 26 years at the time)

19 -Miguel Ángel Zepeda (Club de Fútbol Atlas (Zorros), Atletico Club - Guadalajara) (May 25, 1976, Tepic) (age 23 years at the time)

20-Rafael García (Deportivo Toluca Futbol Club, S.A. De C.V.-Toluca -Diablos) (August 14, 1974, Mexico City) (age 24 years at the time)

Strikers:

9-José Manuel Abundis (Deportivo Toluca Futbol Club, S.A. De C.V.-Toluca (Diablos) (June 11, 1973, Guadalajara) (age 26 years at the time)

10 -Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Club de Fútbol América S. A. de C. V. (Aguilas) - Ciudad de México-Mexico City) (January 17, 1973, Mexico City) (age 26 years at the time)

11-Daniel Osorno (Club de Fútbol Atlas (Zorros), Atletico Club - Guadalajara) (March 16, 1979, Guadalajara) (age 20 years at the time)

15- Luis Hernández (Sinergia Deportiva, SA de CV (Club Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León-Tigres) (December 22, 1968, Poza Rica, Veracruz) (age 30 years at the time)
17- Jose Francisco Palencia (Club Deportivo Social y Cultural Cruz Azul, Atletico Club-(Cementeros)- Ciudad de México -Mexico City) (April 28, 1973, Mexico City) (age 26 years at the time)

Coach: Manuel Lapuente (May 15, 1944, Puebla) (age 55 years at the time)

Team Captain: Alberto Garcia Aspe, Claudio Suárez (in Garcia Aspe’s absence)

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Garcis

Photo Credits:

Abundis, Campos, Perez, Carmona, Palencia,  (Copa America 1999 Navarrete)

Arellano, Marquez, Torrado, Zepeda (Panini World Cup 2002)

Blanco, Hernandez, Pardo, Ramirez, Garcia Aspe, Suarez, Joel Sanchez, Villa  (Panini World Cup 1998)

Osorno (Mexico Panini 2010)

Rafael Garcia, Terrazas (Source Unknown)

Photo From: Copa America 1999 Navarrete

(Mexico Manager Manuel Lapuente)

Saudi Arabia: (Host Nation and 1996 Asian Cup Winners)

Goalkeepers:

1-Mohammed Al-Deayea (Al-Tai Sport Club-Ha’il) (August 2, 1972, Ha'il) (age 26-27 years at the time)

12-Hussein Al-Sadiq (Al-Ittihad Football Club-Jeddah) (October 15, 1973) (age 26 years at the time)

16-Tisir Al-Antaif (Al-Ettifaq Football Club-Damman) (February 16, 1974, Damman) (age 25 years at the time)

Defenders:

2-Mohammed Al-Jahani (Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club-Jeddah) (September 28, 1974) (age 24 years at the time)

3-Mohammed Al-Khilaiwi (Al-Ittihad Football Club-Jeddah) (September 1, 1971, Jeddah-June 13, 2013, Jeddah) (age 27 years at the time)

4-Abdullah Zubromawi (Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club-Jeddah) (November 15, 1973, Jeddah) (age 25 years at the time)

5-Saleh Al-Dawod (Al-Shabab Football Club-Riyadh) (September 24, 1968, Dir'iya, Riyadh) (age 30 years at the time)

11-Ibrahim Al-Shokia (Al-Nasr Football Club-Riyadh) (June 30, 1975) (age 24 years at the time)

13-Hussein Omar Abdulghani Sulaimani (Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club-Jeddah) (January 21, 1977, Jeddah) (age 22 years at the time)

17-Abdullah Alwaked Al-Shahrani (Al-Shabab Football Club-Riyadh) (September 29, 1975)  (age 23 years at the time)

20-Mohsin Harthi (Al-Nasr Football Club-Riyadh) (July 17, 1976) (age 23 years at the time)

Midfielders:

6-Ibrahim Al-Harbi (Al-Nasr Football Club-Riyadh) (July 10, 1975, Riyadh) (age 24 years at the time)

7-Ibrahim Al-Shahrani (Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club-Jeddah)  (July 21, 1974, Abha) (age 25 years at the time)

10-Khaled Gahwji (Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club-Jeddah) (July 7, 1975, Jeddah) (age 24 years at the time)

15-Fahad Al-Subaie (Al-Shabab Football Club-Riyadh) (November 15, 1979) (age 19 years at the time)

Strikers:

8-Mohammed Noor (Al-Ittihad Football Club-Jeddah) (February 26, 1978, Mecca) (age 21 years at the time)

9-Marzouk Al-Otaibi (Al-Shabab Football Club-Riyadh) (November 7, 1975) (age 23 years at the time)

14-Abdullah Bin Shehan (Al-Shabab Football Club-Riyadh) (August 10, 1976) (age 22 years at the time)

18-Nawaf Al-Temyat (Al-Hilali Saudi Football Club-Riyadh) (June 28, 1976, Riyadh) (age 23 years at the time)

19-Hamzah Idris Flatah (Al-Ittihad Football Club-Jeddah) (October 8, 1972, Medina) (age 26 years at the time)

Coach: Milan Macala (Czech Republic) (August 4, 1943, Biskupice, Czech Republic) (age 55 years at the time)

Team Captain: Mohammed Al-Deayea

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Shamel

Egypt: (1998 Africa Cup of  Nations winners)

Goalkeepers:

1-Nader El Sayed (Club Brugge Koninklijke Vereniging / Belgium) (December 31, 1972, Dakahlia) (age 26 years at the time)

16-Essam El-Hadry (Al Ahly Sporting Club-Cairo) (January 15, 1973, Kafr El-Battikh, Damietta) (age 26 years at the time)

Defenders:

2-Ibrahim Hassan (Al Ahly Sporting Club-Cairo) (August 10, 1966, Cairo) (age 32 years at the time)

3-Mohamaed Emara (Fußball-Club Hansa Rostock e.V. / Germany) (June 10, 1974, Dakahlia)  (age 25 years at the time)

5-Samir Ibrahim Kamouna (1.Fußball-Club e.V. Kaiserslautern / Germany) (April 2, 1972, Cairo) (age 27 years at the time)

6-Medhat Abdel Hady (Kocaelispor Kulübü / Turkey) (July 12, 1974, Cairo) (age 25 years at the time)

7-Mohamed Youssef (Denizlispor Kulübü / Turkey) (October 9, 1970, Cairo) (age 28 years at the time)

15-Abdel Zaher El-Saqqa (El Mansoura Sporting Club-El Mansoura) (January 30, 1974, Dakahlia) (age 25 years at the time)

Midfielders:

4-Hany Ramzy (1.Fußball-Club e.V. Kaiserslautern / Germany) (March 10, 1969, Cairo)  (age 30 years at the time)

8-Yasser Radwan (Fußball-Club Hansa Rostock e.V. / Germany) (April 22, 1972, Dakahlia)  (age 27 years at the time)

11-Yasser Rayyan (Al Ahly Sporting Club-Cairo) (March 26, 1970) (age 29 years at the time)

12-Hady Khashaba (Al Ahly Sporting Club-Cairo) (December 19, 1972, Asyut) (age 26 years at the time)

17-Ahmed Hassan (Kocaelispor Kulübü / Turkey) (May 2, 1975, Maghagha) (age 24 years at the time)

18-Hossam Abdel-Moneim (Zamalek Sporting Club-Meet Okba, Giza) (February 12, 1975) (age 24 years at the time)

20-Walid Salah El-Din (Al Ahly Sporting Club-Cairo) (October 2, 1971, Cairo) (age 27 years at the time)

Strikers:

9-Hossam Hassan (Al Ahly Sporting Club-Cairo) (August 10, 1966, Helwan, Cairo)  (age 32 years at the time)

10-Abdel Sattar Sabry (PAOK (Panthessalonikio Athlitiko Omilo Konstantinoupolis)- Thessaloniki / Greece) (June 19, 1974, Cairo) (age 25 years at the time)

13-Abdelhamed Basyouny (Zamalek Sporting Club-Meet Okba, Giza) (December 15, 1971, Kafr El Sheikh) (age 27 years at the time)

14-Hazem Emam ((VBV (Vereniging Betaald Voetbal) De Graafschap / Holland) on loan from (Udinese Calcio-Udine / Italy)) (May 10, 1975, Cairo) (age 24 years at the time)

19-Khaled Al-Amin (Ismaily Sporting Club-Ismailia) (October 6, 1976, Suez) (age 22 years at the time)

Coach: Mahmoud El-Gohary (February 20, 1938, Cairo-August 31, 2012, Amman, Jordan) (age 61 years at the time)

Team Captain: Hossam Hassan

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Puma

Bolivia: (1997 Copa America runner-up)

Goalkeepers:

1- José Carlo Fernández (Club Blooming- Santa Cruz de la Sierra) (January 24, 1971, Santa Cruz de La Sierra)  (age 28 years at the time)

12- Sergio Galarza (Real Santa Cruz) (August 25, 1975, La Paz)   (age 23 years at the time)

Defenders:

2- Juan Manuel Pena (Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol / Spain) (January 17, 1973, Santa Cruz)  (age 26 years at the time)

3-Ronald Arana (Club The Strongest- La Paz) (January 18, 1977, Santa Cruz de La Sierra)  (age 22 years at the time)

5-Oscar Sanchez (Club Atlético Independiente Avellaneda- Buenos Aires / Argentina) (July 16, 1971, Cochabamba-November 23, 2007, La Paz)  (age 28 years at the time)

18- Gustavo Quinteros (Asociacion Atletica Argentinos Juniors- Buenos Aires / Argentina) (February 15, 1965, Santa Fe, Argentina)  (age 34 years at the time)

19- Iván Castillo (Club Atletico Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy / Argentina) (July 11, 1970, Coripata)  (age 29 years at the time)

20- Renny Ribera (Club Blooming- Santa Cruz de la Sierra) (January 30, 1974, Santa Cruz de La Sierra)  (age 25 years at the time)

Midfielders:

4-Lorgio Alvarez (Club Blooming- Santa Cruz de la Sierra) (June 29, 1978, Santa Cruz de La Sierra)   (age 21 years at the time)

6-Luis Cristaldo (Real Sporting de Gijón / Spain) (August 31, 1969, Ibarretta, Argentina)   (age 29 years at the time)

8- Rubén Tufiño (Club Blooming- Santa Cruz de la Sierra) (January 9, 1970, Santa Cruz de La Sierra)  (age 29 years at the time)

10- Marco Antonio Etcheverry (DC (District of Columbia) United / USA) (September 26, 1970, Santa Cruz de La Sierra)  (age 28 years at the time)

14- Erwin Sanchez (Boavista Futebol Clube- Porto / Portugal) (October 19, 1969, Santa Cruz)   (age 29 years at the time)

16- Vladimir Soria (Club Bolívar Independiente Unificada-Lapaz) (July 15, 1964, Cochabamba)  (age 35 years at the time)

17- Miguel Raúl Justiniano (Club Blooming- Santa Cruz de la Sierra) (September 29, 1977, Santa Cruz de La Sierra)  (age 21 years at the time)

Strikers:

7- Limbert Gutiérrez (Club Blooming- Santa Cruz de la Sierra) (November 19, 1977, Santa Cruz de La Sierra)  (age 21 years at the time)

9- Jaime Moreno (DC (District of Columbia) United / USA) (January 19, 1974, Santa Cruz de La Sierra)  (age 25 years at the time)

11-Gonzalo Galindo (Club Jorge Wilstermann- Cochabamba) (October 20, 1974, Cochabamba)  (age 24 years at the time)

13-Joaquin Botero (Club Bolívar Independiente Unificada-Lapaz) (December 10, 1977, La Paz)   (age 21 years at the time)

15-Jose Menacho (Club Blooming- Santa Cruz de la Sierra) (August 7, 1973, Santa Cruz de La Sierra)  (age 25 years at the time)

Coach: Héctor Rodolfo Veira (Argentina) (May 29, 1946, Buenos Aires) (age 53 years at the time)

Team Captain: Erwin Sanchez (Vladimir Soria in his absence)

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Umbro

Photo Credits:

Alvarez, Arana (Panini Copa America 2001)

Botero, Galarza, Galindo, Oscar Sanchez  (Copa America 2007 Navarrete)

Iva Castillo, Cristaldo, Etcheverry, Fernandez, Guttierez, Moreno, Pena, Erwin Sanchez, Tufino  (Copa America 1999 Navarrete)

Soria  (Copa America 1997 Navarrete)

Quinteros (Panini World Cup 1994)

Justiniano, Ribera, Menacho (Source unknown)

Photo From: Copa America 1999 Navarrete

(Bolivia Manager Hector Veira)

FIFA Confederations Cup-Part Six (1999 FIFA Confederations Cup)

The 1999^th Edition of the Confederations Cup was the second under the heading of FIFA. It would be also be the first not to be hosted by Saudi Arabia, with Mexico being named as hosts.

The major hurdle with this edition would be the scheduling that would ultimately affect the quality of teams for this edition.

(1999 Confedrations Cup logo)

Just like the previous editions, initially FIFA were hoping to organize the event in midseason (January 8^th-January 20^th) but this did not suit many Nations especially France, the recent 1998 World Cup winners.

The President of the French League (LNF) Noel Le Graet opposed that players missing French League Cup matches (on January 9-10), as well as League matches (January 16^th).

The voices of discontent did not only come from France, the Italian, English and Spanish Leagues (that contained many of the French players, as well as some of the other participating Nations) were also opposed to the dates. The English Premier League boss Peter Leaver confirmed that they would not cede to Pressure from FIFA to release players.

At one point, France discussed the possibility of sending a weaker team that would include many U-21 level players.

The possibility of France’s withdrawal forced FIFA President Sepp Blatter to ask UEFA for a substitute representative. Croatia and Germany declared themselves as candidates.

At this point, the dates were also changed to the summertime (July 28^th to August 8^th).

French Federation President Claude Simonet stated that he could not refuse the offer a second time but proposed the dates to be moved up June instead of July as the late July-early August dates would disrupt the clubs’ pre-season preparations.

Blatter would not budge on the dates but in December asked for a slight modification (from July 24^th to August 4^th).

On December 18^th, 1998, the French Federation went back on their promise and withdrew. On December 22^nd, Germany were named as replacements.

The matches would take place just days after the 1999 Copa America that included participants Brazil, Bolivia and Mexico.

This would further complicate participation of top players from these Nations.

The Mexican hosts were without Pablo Cesar Chavez and Rodrigo Lara, both suspended after failing Drugs test in the Copa America.

The Mexico players were furious at the suspension of the duo and their Federation’s perceived passivity on the matter. Incidentally, Sepp Blatter had stated that FIFA did not recognize the suspension of Chavez and Lara.

Brazil would give much needed rest to most of its major stars. Cafu, Antonio Carlos Zago, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Amoroso and most importantly Ronaldo would miss out.

Brazil Manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo would nonetheless retain goalkeepers Dida and Marcos and outfield players: Joao Carlos, Emerson, Ze Roberto, Flavio Conceição, Marcos, Odvan, Vampeta, Alex, Evanilson, Cesar Belli, Serginho, Beto, Christian, Marcos Paulo and a teenager named Ronaldinho from the recent Copa America squad.

Germany’s squad was even more threadbare. Their entire participation had been unpopular and had been at the behest of their Federation with the sole goal of earning goodwill to get the hosting rights for the 2006 World Cup.

The German Manager Erich Ribbeck was openly disgruntled with the decision. He stated, “I don’t know why we’re going there. The German players are just starting pre-season training at their clubs while Brazil have just finished Copa America. We risk taking a beating like we did against USA (0-3) in February. But it appears that for political reasons we have to travel”.

The German Federation instructed Ribbeck to select a maximum of three players from each club to help out the clubs during their pre-season preparations. This ruling also included foreign players as a result Brazil were able to select Bayer Leverkusen’s Emerson and Ze Roberto as well as their American player Frankie Hejduk. This drew the ire of Leverkusen Manager Christoph Daum. He stated that the Brazilian Federation had given their word that the Brazilian duo would only participate in the Copa America.

Germany Captain Oliver Bierhoff also withdrew preferring to stay for his club, AC Milan’s pre-season preparation. Dietmar Hamann also stayed behind as he was negotiating his transfer from Newcastle United to Liverpool.

Injuries ruled out the likes of Markus Babbel, Jens Jeremies, Oliver Kahn (all Bayern Munich), Ulf Kirsten, Stefan Beinlich, Jens Nowotny (all Bayer Leverkusen), Marko Rehmer (Hertha Berlin) and Marco Bode (Werder Bremen).

Ribbeck called up five previously uncapped players: Enke, Schneider, Maul, Gerber and Dogan. He had initially called up Karlsruhe’s goalkeeper Simon Jentzsch (in the Second Division). However, due to the Two goalkeepers ruling, Ribbeck took out Jentzsch and called up Rink.

USA opted to leave out its star Claudio Reyna (Rangers Glasgow) as well as Bundesliga-based Tonny Sanneh (Hertha Berlin).

The participants would be drawn in two Groups. Group A (at Mexico City) contained hosts Mexico along with Bolivia, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Group B (at Guadalajara) contained Brazil, Germany, USA and New Zealand.

The Tournament (and Group B) kicked off on July 24^th with what would have been a mouth-watering clash between Brazil and Germany. However, the weakened state of both teams took the gloss of the event (as well as its final result).

The Brazilian squad was better prepared and match ready due to the recent Copa America. Germany resisted for an hour before Brazil opened the floodgates and demolished the tiring Germans (4-0). 

Erich Ribbeck later declared, “at 0-2, I could live with it but 0-4 hurts”.

On the same day, USA defeated New Zealand (2-1).

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

(July 24, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 4-Germnay 0)

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

(July 24, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 4-Germnay 0)

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

(July 24, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, New Zealand 1-USA 2)

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

(July 24, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, New Zealand 1-USA 2)

Four days later (July 26^th), Germany defeated New Zealand (2-0) with the ageing (38 year old) Lothar Matthaus scoring one of the goals.

Brazil defeated USA (1-0) with the emerging Ronaldinho settling matters with a header.

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

(July 28, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Germnay 2-New Zealand 0)

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

(July 28, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 1-USA 0)

On July 30^th, Group B play wrapped up with Brazil predictably defeating New Zealand (2-0) to win the Group.

Second place in the Group was in play as USA faced Germany. The Americans would compound on the Germans’ misery with a second win (2-0) over them in the same calendar year (after the 3-0 in the previous February).

Naturally the German Press had its knives out for the embarrassing displays (despite the weakened state and general dis-interest of the squad).

After the loss, German newspaper ‘Welt am Sontag’ came out with a headline reading, “how could Germany embarrass themselves like that?”

Former coaching great Uddo Latteck described the trip as a fiasco that would have consequences.

He stated,  “Our players didn’t play with each other, but alongside each other. Why can’t they enjoy the game the way Americans did? The deeper causes lie in our German mentality. We Germans are far too serious, we forget about having fun when we play”. He also suggested that Ribbeck should resign.

Franz Beckenbauer thought differently, his goal was the 2006 World Cup. He stated, “we’ve opened the gate a bit wider for 2006, because now that we are losing matches like other teams we’ve become a bit more likeable”.

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

(July 30, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, USA 2-Germnay 0)

Group A matches kicked off on July 25^th with Bolivia-Egypt (2-2) and the Mexican hosts hammering Saudi Arabia (5-1).

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

(July 25, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Mexico 5-Saudi Arabia 1)

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

(July 25, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Mexico 5-Saudi Arabia 1)

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

(July 25, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Bolivia 2-Egypt 2)

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

(July 25, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Bolivia 2-Egypt 2)

This Group always appeared a formality for the hosts, although they were somewhat complacent for their second match vs. Egypt on July 27^th. They let a (2-0) lead slip away and settled for a (2-2) draw as the Egyptians scored twice in the last ten minutes.

This Group was very much in play on the last day of Group matches (July 29^th).

Egypt failed to build on its showing vs. Mexico and were comprehensively beaten by Saudi Arabia (5-1) with Marzouq Al-Otaibi scoring four of their goals.

Mexico defeated Bolivia (1-0) to win the Group and advance along with Saudi Arabia to the semifinals.

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

(July 27, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Saudi Arabia 0-Bolivia 0)

Photo From: Mediotiempo.com

(July 29, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Mexico 1-Bolivia 0)

The semifinals took place on August 1^st with Mexico facing USA at the Azteca and Brazil taking on Saudi Arabia at Guadalajara.

The Mexico-USA match was a tight affair with both teams having chances. USA goalkeeper Kasey Keller was in excellent form and kept the hosts at bay with many fine saves. The Match was scoreless and had to go to overtime.

In the 7^th minute of the overtime, Mexico finally breached the American defense through Cuauhtémoc Blanco after a goalmouth scramble. The match ended due to the Golden Goal rule.

Photo From: World Soccer, September 1999

(August 1, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Mexico 1-USA 0)

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

(August 1, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Mexico 1-USA 0)

The Brazil-Saudi Arabia match was feast of goals. Brazil had taken a quick two-goal lead but Saudi Arabia fought their way back to tie with two goals by Mazrouk Al-Otaibi (scoring his 5^th and 6^th goals).

Brazil would score two more goals before halftime and would score four more goals in the second half for a final score (8-2) with Ronaldinho scoring a hat trick. Many observers believed Brazil’s second half performance was their best in the entire Tournament.

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

 (August 1, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 8-Saudi Arabia 2)

On August 3^rd, USA defeated Saudi Arabia (2-0) in the third place match to end the Tournament on a satisfactory note. The Americans’ highlight had been the win over Germany, as well as hard contested matches vs. Brazil and Mexico.

Mexico faced Brazil for the Final in Azteca on August 4^th.

This match would turn out to be the best match of the Tournament.

Mexico would take a two-goal lead through Zepeda and Abundis, before Brazil pulled a goal back before the end of the half through a Serginho penalty kick.

Blanco had scored another goal that was unjustly ruled out as offside.

Brazil would tie the score just two minutes into the second half through Roni.

Just a few minutes later, Zepeda restored Mexico’s advantage and ten minutes later Blanco scored Mexico’s fourth to give them a seemingly unassailable lead.

However, just a minute later Ze Roberto pulled another goal back for Brazil.

Mexico would have to hold on for nearly half an hour but they did and for the first time a host Nation won the Confederations Cup.

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

 (August 4, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Mexico 4-Brazil 3)

Photo From: FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

 (August 4, 1999, FIFA Confederations Cup, Mexico 4-Brazil 3)

While Mexico were basking in the glory of winning a somewhat major Tournament, Brazil and Germany reflected on their performances.

Brazil played many matches that were average by their standards (save the second half vs. Saudi Arabia). Their only excuse was the fact that they were a weakened side without many regulars.

The satisfactory note for Brazil was Ronaldinho. His displays confirmed his growing reputation as Brazil’s star of the future.

Germany looked the worst after a Tournament that they wished they had not participated in.

They were also criticized after Lothar Matthaus failed to attend a ceremony at the Azteca where he and former Mexican goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal were to be honored for having taken part in five World Cups.

Germany Manager Erich Ribbeck summed it up by stating, “We came here to comply with the wishes of our Federation, who are seeking to organize the next World Cup. I did not bring my best players.”

Despite the growing stature of this competition, it was still regarded more as a nuisance by bigger Nations in an already bloated calendar.

FIFA had to find a solution to satisfy the calendar as well ensure quality of participants to maintain the Competition.

References:

France Football, Issue 2780 bis, July 23, 1999

France Football, Issue 2781, July 27, 1999

France Football, Issue 2781 bis, July 30, 1999

France Football, Issue 2782, August 3, 1999

France Football, Issue 2782 bis, August 6, 1999

FIFA Report- 1999 Mexico

World Soccer, September 1999

Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast-Episode 2 (World Soccer, May 1983)

This is the second episode of my podcast with Mr. Paul Whittle of https://the1888letter.com/, @1888letter.

We will take a look at an old soccer magazine and discuss and relay our memories and anecdotes related to the magazine.

For this second episode, we have selected ‘World Soccer’ magazine, issue of May 1983.

Please take a listen to this first podcast:

This issue can be downloaded here if you want to follow along:

World Soccer, May 1983

For any questions/comments, you may contact us:

Mr. Paul Whittle, @1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/

You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.