1972 Intercontinental Cup - Independiente v Ajax

The 1972 Intercontinental Cup brought together what was at least in hindsight, the dominant sides of that era from Europe and South America.

Independiente were at the start of an era of domination of South American Football, their 1972 Copa Libertadores triumph earned them a tilt at the World Crown, but they would go on to win the Libertadores Title in 73,74 and 75, truly earning their nickname "The King of Cups".

Their opponents were an Ajax team that were widely recognised as one of the greatest footballing sides ever brandishing a style of Football often referred to as "Total Football". They were perhaps at the peak of their golden era, having just completed the Treble by retaining the European Cup alongside lifting the Dutch National Championship and the KNVB Cup domestically.
Unlike the previous season, Ajax decided to accept the invitation to compete for the Intercontinental Cup, although by the end of the 1st leg in Argentina, they probably regretted their decision.

1st Leg - Avellaneda, Argentina - Independiente 1v1 Ajax

It was a long journey for the Amsterdam side to travel to South America, in fact the European Champions decided to do a spot of training on the runway during their stop off at the Cape Verde Islands (see below)
Ajax's reception in Argentina was hostile, with Johan Cruyff receiving death threats, met with indifference by the local Police forcing Ajax Coach Stefan Kovacs to arrange his own security for Cruyff.
Independiente fans added to the welcome for the visitors, gathering outside the Ajax Team Hotel in an attempt to disturb the sleep of the European Champions.
Despite the hostility, on the pitch Cruyff gave Ajax an early lead after just 5mins, but by the 26th minute Independiente had dealt with the problem of the legendary Dutchman, when he had to be substituted following a brutal challenge from Independiente forward Mircoli.
Ajax were so taken aback by the rough play from the Argentinean side, that at half time Kovacs had to persuade his players to come out for the 2nd half.

No European side had ever registered a victory on South American soil in this fixture, and Independiente ensured that the record continued when Sa levelled the score on the night with 9 mins remaining.

Kovacs made his feeling felt after the match, stating Cruyff would be out of action for a fortnight, with Horst Blankenburg also nursing wounds. Kovacs went on to say "European Football is much more important than this competition. Whatever happens we will not come here (Argentina) again".

True to his word Ajax passed up the opportunity of appearing in a second match against Independiente in 1973, after both sides retained their Continental Titles the following year, leaving European Cup Runners Up Juventus to play the Argentines.

2nd Leg - Amsterdam, Holland - Ajax 3v0 Independiente (Ajax win 4v1 on aggregate)

Much ill feeling had been vented to the media from the Dutch side following the match in Argentina, but if there were no obvious signs that Ajax had been deterred from their mission.
Independiente had no answer to a superior Ajax side, as the Dutch masters ran out 3v0 winners to clinch their first Intercontinental Cup.
In the early stages the Argentines were struggling to retain the ball, against a strong, skillful Ajax side, but it was the visitors who created the first chance when Pastoriza burst through the Ajax defence, but his touch was too heavy and Stuy in goal for Ajax smothered the danger.
Independiente would pay the price for missing their chance to take the lead as Ajax went straight up the other end to take the lead after 11mins. Neeskens exchanged passes with Krol before holding off the attention of an Independiente player, eventually slotting home.

Independiente were forced into adopting a more assertive stance on the game, but Ajax continued to enjoy the lions share of the ball, with players all over the pitch displaying their comfort on the ball.

Like the 1st leg Ajax almost lost their goalscorer to injury as Neeskens was caught by a late challenge, just seconds into the 2nd half, but managed to finish the game.

Ajax should have made it 2v0 in the early stages of the 2nd half, but a left wing cross somehow evaded an unmarked Ajax player, to keep Independiente in the tie.

The visiting goal was in danger again soon after when Independiente Keeper Santoro could not hold onto a long range effort, but the ball was scrambled away by his team mates.
But Independiente could not hold out for much longer and Ajax's lead was doubled when Cruyff beat the Independiente offside trap before unselfishly squaring the ball to Johnny Rep who could not miss.
The visitors almost reduced the arrears straight away, this time Stuy could not hold onto a long range effort, but the South American Champions could not convert the rebound.
With nothing to lose Independiente pushed forward and enjoyed their best spell of the game although in truth, Ajax never looked like losing their lead, and came close to replicating their 2nd goal as Cruyff once again beat the Argentine offside trap before squaring for a team mate, only for the effort on goal to strike the post.
In the dying moments of the game Johnny Rep got his 2nd of the game as he burst through Independiente's now porous defence, taking it round the Keeper before converting, to wrap up a comprehensive victory

1999 Toyota Cup - Man Utd v Palmeiras

History was against Man Utd's quest of winning the 1999 Toyota Cup, given English sides record in the competition. In 5 previous attempts, English sides had come off second best against South American opposition in this fixture, failing to score in the previous 4 matches.

Popular opinion in England was that this was not a trophy to be excited about, with Man Utd Manager Alex Ferguson having to field questions from the English media on whether this fixture was more of a marketing exercise.

Despite Alex Ferguson making all the right noises about the importance of this fixture, it was fair to say that the trophy was more important to the Brazilian side, with Palmeiras Manager Phil Scolari was quoted as saying "My only objective since I came to Palmeiras, was to win the World Club Championship".

Palmeiras came with a reputation in contrast to a typical Brazilian side, being described as a dirty aggressive side, with Scolari on occasions encouraging his players to commit more fouls.

This seemed harsh on a side that contained talent such as Asprilla, Paulo Nunes and one of Brazil's rising stars Alex. Indeed there was little evidence of any overly aggressive play from the Brazilians on the night, where United had more to fear from their opponents ability more than any foul play.

Going into the match both sides were struggling to recapture the form that made them Champions of their respective Continents in the previous season, Palmeiras were 12th in their Championship, and although United were 2nd in their respective League, their performances had been well below that seen on their way to winning 3 trophies the previous season.

After a cagey start, Palmeiras started to impose themselves on the game, with United's Champions League hero, Solskjaer starved of support and unable to make the ball stick upfront, although the much maligned United Keeper Bosnich had not been called into action too often in the early stages.

When the Brazilian side did create their first chance, it was a clear opportunity for Palmeiras to take the lead after Asprilla sent Alex clear, only for the Australian Keeper to spread himself well to keep out the effort.

Despite pre match calls from Alex Ferguson for his real Man Utd side to show themselves, it was a sluggish start from the European Champions, but after 35mins, against the run of play United took the lead.

Palmeiras Keeper Marcos, was culpable for the goal as he flapped at Giggs left wing cross, leaving Roy Keane able to slot into an empty net at the far post.

The goal seemed to spur Man Utd on, and shortly after, Nicky Butt produced a rasping effort from outside of the area, which was close enough to have Marcos concerned.

But United were lucky to go in at half time still ahead after Silvestre hooked a goalbound header off the line after an Alex header beat Bosnich.

Palmeiras had the first opportunity of the 2nd half as Bosnich had to be quick off his line to narrow the angle on an Asprilla effort, with the shot rolling wide of the target.

Dwight Yorke had replaced the anonymous Solskjaer up front and he made an instant impact, after being gifted the ball following a defensive mistake, he rolled the ball to Giggs, but with only the Keeper to beat Giggs went for an extravagant chip which went horribly wide to the amazement of Yorke.

With Palmeiras forced to push forward, the game was opening up, and Alex wasted a great chance to equalise, as he headed fractionally wide of the target with Bosnich rooted to the spot.

When Palmeiras did manage to find the target, unlike his opposite number, they found Bosnich was in unbeatable form.

Bosnich had been the subject of much criticism since starting his 2nd spell at the Club, but this was undoubtedly his best game for United as he produced a fantastic stop from substitute Oseas, who was denied from close range.

Giggs was coming more into the game as the game became stretched, and he almost forced an own goal, after dismissing Zinho with a lovely piece of skill, he fired the ball across the area which was sliced just over the bar by a Palmeiras defender.

But the majority of the action was at the other end as Palmeiras pressed for the equaliser, but were denied again, this time it was a more routine save at the near post by the Australian stopper, before the rebound was smashed well over.

When Bosnich acrobatically tipped over from a well struck Alex drive late on, it became evident that this was not going to be Palmeiras' day and United saw out the final minutes of the match without further concern.

As the final whistle the Palmeiras players slumped to the turf, while there were only brief signs of celebration from their opposition, a sign of how where this fixture sits in each sides list of priorities.

For Scolari it was his 2nd unsuccessful attempt in this competition after losing on penalties with Gremio to Ajax in 1995, despite being denied by an inspirational performance by Bosnich, puzzlingly it was Giggs who was awarded Man of the Match as United became the first English side to lift the trophy.