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.