www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Tue 30 Nov 1999 17:16 GMT
Mail: barry@www.red11.org

This Issue:
1. UNITED V PALMEIRAS REPORT
2. UNITED V PALMEIRAS FULL MATCH REVIEW
3. European/South American Cup - Keane strikes gives United historic victory
4. United - Palmeiras TV report by Terry
5. MANCHESTER UNITED RULE THE WORLD!

++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++

MANCHESTER UNITED A World Cracker!

Check this out in honour of "UNITED"
http://www.red11.org/mufc/images/nick_oldham/united_world_crackers.jpg

122k Nov 30 08:43


Regards from Nick Oldham and The entire www.red11.org Webteam!


****************************
MUFC Hon. Executive CP Cheah
Webmasters: Barry Leeming & Bill McArthur
 Paul Hinson Diana Low Justin Eagleton
Daily News: http://www.red11.org/news
   "RED sky at night UNITED delight"

++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++


Click On pic - for latest interviews from OT

UNITED V PALMEIRAS REPORT

Man Utd v Palmeiras

By David Anderson, PA Sport, Tokyo

Sir Alex Ferguson picked a strong side and Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer played as a lone striker with David Beckham and
Ryan Giggs supporting him down the flanks and Paul Scholes
from midfield.

United fashioned the first chance inside the opening two
minutes when Nicky Butt, who shrugged off his wrist injury
to play, was fouled 25 yards out on the right and Beckham
curled the free-kick just over.

Scholes threatened the Palmeiras defence when he stepped
inside one challenge and unleashed a 25-yard drive which
rebounded off Roque Junior.

Arce then released former Newcastle striker Faustino
Asprilla down the right, but Jaap Stam was on hand to cut out
his pull-back.

Asprilla has lost none of the skills, which used to delight the
Toon Army, and he beat Mickael Silvestre in the area only
for the dependable Stam to block his shot.

Junior Baiano let fly with his right foot from a free-kick 30
yards out which sailed harmlessly over Mark Bosnich's goal.

The Palmeiras fans thought their side should have had a
penalty when Alex went down under a challenge from
Silvestre just inside the area, but referee Hellmut Krug waved
play on.

Bosnich came to United's aid when he made a fine stop from
Alex after the Palmeiras striker had been played in by
Asprilla before the Australian saved a header from Junior.

HT: Man Utd 1 Palmeiras 0

Bosnich was the busier of the two goalkeepers and he
plucked Roque Junior's header from the air from Zinho's
inswinging free-kick.

United brought some life to the dull proceedings when they
opened the scoring on 35 minutes.

Giggs produced some classic wing play down the left and
sent over a deep cross, which Palmeiras goalkeeper Marcos
completely misjudged, and Roy Keane knocked the ball home
into the empty net from inside the six-yard box.

Butt went close to a second three minutes later with a
30-yard drive, which was just wide of Marcos' left-hand post.

Silvestre preserved United's lead when he cleared Alex's
header from his own goalline.

INTRO: Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs combined to give
Manchester United the lead in the Toyota Cup against
Palmeiras in Tokyo's National Stadium.

Giggs sent over a perfect cross from the left and the United
skipper applied a simple finish from close range.

Solsjkaer had struggled up front and it came as little surprise
when he was replaced by Dwight Yorke at the interval.

The second half was much more open, and Yorke and
Asprilla went close in the opening couple of minutes.

The game was finally living up to its billing as the world
championship and Sampaio made a great challenge on
Scholes before the England midfielder flicked a backheeled
effort over the bar and Butt went close with a curled effort.

Arce then gifted United possession and Yorke fed Giggs only
for the Welshman to shoot wide from the great opportunity.

The chances were coming thick and fast, and Bosnich
smothered an effort from substitute Oseas before United
screamed in vain for a penalty for a challenge on Yorke.

Alex remained a threat and he fired wide following a strong
run before he headed just centimetres wide.

© PA Sporting Life 
Click On pic - for all latest pics from OT


UNITED V PALMEIRAS FULL MATCH REVIEW
          - Sporting Life

    90 mins: Krug eventually blows his whistle after three minutes of injury time
    as Manchester United become the first English club to win the World
    Championship.

    90 mins: United earn themselves a breather as Yorke initially collects the
    ball well in Palmeiras' half.

    90 mins: Junior looks to swing in a cross from the left which Bosnich rises
    well to claim under pressure.

    90 mins: Junior makes another incisive run but he is eventually hustled out
    of it.

    90 mins: The ball is launched forward to the head of Evair but he can't direct
    it towards goal.

    89 mins: Time is running out for Palmeiras as they win a free-kick in
    United's half.

    88 mins: From the corner the referee calls a foul for an infringement on
    Keane who is left flat on the floor.

    87 mins: Alex takes the shot but he fires it straight into the wall as the ball
    ricochets out for a corner.

    86 mins: Palmeiras go forward looking for the equaliser but they are
    confrontated by several red shirts. Irwin concedes a free-kick in a dangerous
    position just on the edge of his box.

    84 mins: Zinho looks to play a neat one-two with Evair but the return pass is
    blocked.

    83 mins: A late flag stops Euller from breaking free down the middle with
    only Bosnich to beat.

    82 mins: United try to slow down the game a touch as they stroke it around
    in their half eventually though as they pump it forward to Sheringham they
    lose possession.

    80 mins: United launch forward themselves and Gary Neville flashes his
    effort just wide of the post.

    79 mins: From the corner the ball ricochets out to Arce who hits a first-time
    volley which Bosnich saves well with his fingertips for another corner. The
    second set-piece is claimed by Bosnich this time.

    78 mins: Silvestre becomes the second recepient of a yellow card. Arce's
    cross is headed away by Silvestre for a corner.

    77 mins: Palmeiras surge down the field and Junior's cross from the left is
    only just palmed away by Bosnich who again shows great reflexes.

    77 mins: Nunes is taken off the field for Euller.

    77 mins: United continue to press forward and Giggs' tantalising cross is
    just touched over the woodwork by a Palmeiras defender.

    76 mins: United are back into gear quickly as they press forward under
    Giggs who looks to settle the game but his right-footed shot is
    disappointing.

    75 mins: Sheringham comes on for Scholes before the set-piece. The
    corner is swung in and the ball bounces loose to Oseas in front of goal as
    Bosnich manages to make a point-blank save to the dismay of the
    Brazilians in the stadium.

    74 mins: Gary Neville makes a timely tackle on Junior down the left flank
    to gift a corner.

    73 mins: Yorke bears down on goal again but can't pull the trigger with
    several green shirts around him. He eventually hauls in a long cross to the
    far post which Marcos bungles initially but he recovers to save face.

    72 mins: United counter quickly and win a corner. Marcos can't grasp the
    cross from Beckham but the ball bounces out to safety for the Brazlian
    team.

    71 mins: Oseas tries an extravagant overhead kick but Bosnich has no
    trouble claiming the effort.

    70 mins: Palmeiras go agonisingly close to scoring as Junior spots Alex
    free in United's penalty area but Alex's header lacks direction even though
    he had the goal at his mercy.

    69 mins: Palmeiras are content to stroke the ball around the halfway line
    waiting for an opening. Nunes is the man to provide the Brazilians with the
    attack as he scythes through the middle but he drags his shot wide of the
    post.

    67 mins: The Brazilians again look to make a move down the left flank,
    this time Evair earns a throw.

    66 mins: The set-piece is well-marshalled by Palmeiras' defence.

    65 mins: United break quickly as Scholes sprints into Palmeiras' box but
    he plays a poor pass to Yorke and instead of a clear shooting chance for
    the striker, United have to contend themselves with a corner.

    64 mins: Junior again surges down the left flank and wins a corner which
    comes to nothing.

    63 mins: The Brazilian side pour forward under Alex who decides to pull
    the trigger himself from 25-yards out. But he fizzing drive just goes wide of
    the right upright.

    62 mins: Yorke latches onto a ball down the left and works his way into
    the box. He manages to earn himself the chance to fire but Marcos' ample
    frame is enough to block the shot from a tight angle.

    61 mins: Beckham swings in a cross to Scholes in a central position but
    the England midfielder can't direct his header to Yorke in Palmeiras' box
    and instead the ball flies into the hands of Marcos.

    60 mins: Giggs is entering play more and wins a free-kick. But United
    waste possession.

    60 mins: Play moves from one end to the other as Bosnich takes a good
    effort from Oseas.

    59 mins: United immediately go on the counter-attack and Yorke slips a
    decisive pass to Giggs in the penalty box but the Welshman dinks it wide.

    58 mins: Nunes tries to hit a first-time shot but he can't fashion a shot
    under pressure from Stam.

    57 mins: Palmeiras are playing patient football again and Zinho eventually
    has the chance to fire in a cross from the left but Stam is there to clear and
    boots it out for a corner. From the resultant set-piece Bosnich punches it
    out well.

    56 mins: Palmeiras take off Asprilla and put on striker Oseas.

    55 mins: Junior again looks to forage down the left flank but again there
    are red shirts in numbers.

    54 mins: Palmeiras change things around taking over Galeano for Evair.

    53 mins: Scholes slips the ball to Butt just outside the box who looks to
    place his effort in the top right corner but Marcos just watches it fly over
    the crossbar.

    51 mins: Yorke has given United that extra edge up front but as yet they
    haven't fashioned anything dangerous.

    49 mins: Giggs and Beckham combine down the right wing to earn a
    throw-in. Gary Neville flings the ball in and Palmeiras can't quite deal with
    the danger. Eventually Keane hits a cross into Scholes whose control lets
    him down and the ball is whipped off him just as he is about to shoot with
    only Marcos in front of him.

    48 mins: Nunes flicks on for Asprilla but the former Newcastle frontman
    can't divert it past the scrambling Bosnich as his effort clips the post.

    46 mins: Alex Ferguson has made one change at half-time bringing on
    Dwight Yorke, for Solskjaer, and the Trinidad and Tobagan striker
    immediately wins a free-kick in a good position. Beckham decides to play a
    pass out to the left wing instead of shooting. Irwin makes a good cross but
    Yorke handles just as he fires the trigger. His shot wasn't on target
    anyway.

    46 mins: The second period starts with Palmeiras looking for more
    incisiveness in their attack as United's defence has been very
    well-organised.

    45 mins: The half-time whistle goes with United's clinical finishing the
    difference as they lead their South American counter-parts by a solitary
    goal.

    45 mins: Irwin makes a good run down the left wing but he can't get his
    cross over the first defender.

    44 mins: Solskjaer tries to win a corner but the ball is cleared only as far
    as Keane whose return ball is nodded away.

    43 mins: Junior Baiano tries his luck from a long-range free-kick but he is
    a mile off-target again.

    42 mins: Beckham launches a free-kick from the right into Palmeiras' box
    but Junior Baiano gets a good defensive header out.

    41 mins: Palmeiras nearly equalise after a good ball from the left from
    Junior which Nunes heads goalwards with Bosnich stranded but Silvestre is
    on hand to boot it clear off-the-line.

    40 mins: Keane rifles a long-ball up for Butt to chase but Marcos wins the
    foot race and eventually clears.

    39 mins: Irwin is well-pressured by Arce on the left and he concedes a
    throw. But Palmeiras don't really threaten initially from a good position.

    37 mins: Beckham smashes in another cross to Palmeiras' box but that
    pass is dealt with. The ball eventually drops at the feet of Butt outside the
    penalty area and he thumps a piledriver just inches wide of the right
    upright.

    36 mins: Palmeiras try to make a quick riposte but Asprilla makes a hash
    of his pass to Nunes.

    35 mins: GOAL KEANE - Giggs makes a surging run down the left flank
    and fires a ripping cross which Marcos flaps at before Keane taps it in at
    the back-post to break the deadlock.

    34 mins: Junior is profiting from a few forages down the left flank but play
    goes back to the halfway line for Palmeiras as United stay solid at the
    back. Eventually Junior tries to slip Asprilla through but he fails to beat the
    offside trap.

    32 mins: Palmeiras make a promising move after a patient build-up. Cesar
    Sampaio tries to slice a pass through the middle of United's backline but he
    isn't quite accurate enough to find Nunes.

    31 mins: Junior is blocked by Butt to win a free-kick down the left wing.
    Zinho rips in the set-piece to Roque Junior who loops his header straight to
    Bosnich who catches it safely.

    30 mins: United haven't really forced themselves into Palmeiras' half. And
    Beckham's cross fires straight into the arms of Marcos as they waste
    possession.

    29 mins: The first booking of the day goes to Alex for a late tackle on
    Solskjaer.

    27 mins: Palmeiras earn a couple of corners. Keane nods the first one out
    for another set-piece. The second one sees the ball drop at the feet of
    Galeano but his shot sails wildly high over the crossbar.

    26 mins: United finally force their way into Palmeiras' half but Beckham's
    raking long-ball has too much weight on it for Giggs.

    25 mins: Junior looks to forage down the left wing but he can't pick out a
    pass and is bustled out of it.

    24 mins: Palmeiras win a corner and Junior Baiano manages to find time
    in the box but his header goes weakly into the arms of Bosnich.

    23 mins: Asprilla bursts through the middle and plays a delightful pass out
    to the left to Alex who only has Bosnich to beat. However he can't quite
    clip the ball over the oncoming keeper who shows great reflexes to palm it
    away with his right hand. 

    22 mins: Alex tumbles to the ground in United's penalty area under the
    supervision of Silvestre. His appeals for a penalty fall on deaf ears though.

    21 mnins: Arce again pumps one up to Asprilla but Stam is solid and
    works the ball back to Bosnich.

    20 mins: Nunes storms down the left flank but his centre is claimed by
    Bosnich.

    19 mins: Asprilla is hauled to the ground by Keane. The free-kick is
    central giving Junior Baiano the chance to take aim. But his effort never
    threatens Bosnich's goal.

    18 mins: Beckham tries a deft flick to Solskjaer but misses his target and
    Palmeiras immediately look to put one over the top for Asprilla but Neville
    is aware of the danger and boots the ball out.

    16 mins: Asprilla shows his invention as he beats Silvestre but his shot
    ricochets off a defender. Asprilla flings the ball in again looking for Nunes
    but the pass has too much weight and Mark Bosnich collects.

    15 mins: Man United stroke the ball around neatly and patiently around
    Palmeiras' penalty box. They win a throw-in which Neville launches to
    Giggs but the Welshman's header fails to trouble Marcos.

    15 mins: United have a chance to counter with Beckham down the right
    flank but his cross is off-target as he finds neither Solskjaer or Giggs.

    14 mins: Palmeiras attempt a ball over the top for striker Alex but he is
    well-guarded by United's centre-backs.

    13 mins: Giggs swings in a good cross from the left wing but can't quite
    pick out Solskjaer and Scholes return header is picked up comfortably by
    shot-stopper Marcos.

    12 mins: Mickael Silvestre plays a poor ball which sees Palmeiras break
    quickly but an awful cross from Asprilla lets Jaap Stam clear the lines.

    11 mins: Beckham and Junior tangle down the right flank as both players
    earn a few words from referee Krug. 

    10 mins: Paul Scholes shows deft skills to work a slight opening before
    releasing the trigger from a good 25-yards out but his effort is deflected
    away into safety.

    8 mins: The pace of the game hasn't really kicked into gear yet.

    7 mins: Roque Junior lunges late on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to gift a
    free-kick down the right wing. Giggs hits his cross into the box too long and
    Marcos makes a safe claim.

    6 mins: Palmeiras make a swift counter-attack. Faustino Asprilla makes a
    marauding run but eventually he is crowded out in the penalty area.

    5 mins: Ryan Giggs plays a delightful through-ball for Roy Keane into the
    box but the United skipper can't quite control the pass to unleash a shot.

    4 mins: Play is slightly scrappy with both sides giving away needless
    freekicks. Paulo Nunes is the guilty party as he jumps all over Gary
    Neville.

    3 mins: Gary Neville concedes a free-kick to Palmeiras. But Palmeiras
    fail to make a telling move.

    2 mins: Manchester United win an early free-kick as Nicky Butt is felled
    just as he is about to burst into the box. David Beckham's ensuing set-piece
    just soars over the crossbar to the relief of keeper Marcos.

    1 min: A cautious start from both teams with Palmeiras content to play it
    around the back with Roque Junior looking to play a long ball. 

    1 min: Referee Helmut Krug gets this tantalising clash under way in the
    humid atmosphere of Tokyo.

    © PA Sporting Life Ltd. 
Click On pic - for latest interviews from OT


European/South American Cup - Keane strikes gives United historic victory
  
 Manchester United FC 1-0 SE Palmeiras

 European/South American Cup
 REPORT from the National Stadium, Tokyo

 Manchester United FC made it it five wins in a row for European sides in the
 European/South American Cup with their defeat of Brazilian side SE
 Palmeiras 1-0 in Tokyo. Roy Keane's 35th-minute goal helped the European
 champions become the first British team to win the competition, though
 goalkeeper Mark Bosnich will share the plaudits for a brilliant display, which
 kept Palmeiras at bay.

 Time to deliver - Ferguson
 Keane's strike was enough to bring United their fourth major
 honour of the year after winning the European Champion
 Clubs' Cup, the English League championship and the FA Cup
 last season. 

 The game between the European and South American
 champions started slowly but developed into a thriller and
 Keane's decisive strike came during a period when Palmeiras
 were in almost total control. 

 Keane on target
 Ryan Giggs outpaced former Brazilian international central
 defender Junior Baiano wide on the left in a swift counter-attack. Goalkeeper
 Marcos flapped at Giggs' cross, leaving Keane to sweep the ball into an empty
 net from three metres. 
 It was a classic sucker-punch from United, coming completely against the run
 of the play. Palmeiras belied their poor recent domestic form by confidently
 bringing the game to the European champions.
 Twenty-two-year-old midfielder Alex emerged as the central threat, operating
 just behind the unpredictable front duo of former Parma AC and Newcastle
 United FC striker Faustino Asprilla and Paulo Nunes. Asprilla turned provider
 for Alex, a member of the Brazil side that won this year's Copa America, after
 22 minutes, but Bosnuch saved brilliantly from his shot on the turn.
 United's goal presaged a much-improved spell from the English side, but were
 lucky not to concede an equaliser after 42 minutes. With Bosnich for once
 beaten, Mikael Silvestre hacked the ball off the goal-line as Nunes powered in
 a header.from Junior's left-wing cross.

 Palmeiras miss chances as Bosnich shines
 Palmeiras, bidding to become the first South American side to win the trophy
 since 1994, went close to scoring half-a-dozen times in the second half. Just
 three minutes after the restart, Nunes' knockdown found Asprilla, but he shot
 into the side-netting with Bosnich beaten. Alex then spurned the best chance
 after 69 minutes when 
 he headed wide with only goalkeeper Mark Bosnich to beat after Junior had
 again sent in a great cross. 

 Substitute Oseas was denied by a brilliant point-blank save by Bosnich after
 75 minutes. Eleven minutes from time, Bosnich 
 brilliantly turned another drive from Alex over his bar, as the impressive
 midfield pounced when United had only half cleared Arce's corner.
 United had chances themselves in the second half, notably when Giggs
 should have done better after 60 minutes. With Keane and Bosnich in
 inspirational form, United resisted bravely and generally controlled the pace of
 the game in the second half. The Brazilians impressed everywhere except in
 the final third, and it is not surprising that they have now failed to score in five
 of their last six games.

 30.11.1999
Click On pic - for latest pics from OT


United - Palmeiras TV report by Terry

> Champions of England!
> Champions of Europe!
> Champions of the World!

The Solar System is next. The Japs are organizing a game against the
Martian champions (The Mars Bar Cup).

Well, I missed the first 15 minutes as I searched in vain for a channel
showing the game, then found it on Nile Sport. 'May God bless all
Egyptians and may their camels and satellite channels be fruitful and
multiply' (It's an ancient Arab blessing). And there we were resplendent
in our red shirts with black shorts and socks. Palmeiras were in some
revolting snot-green shirts, with white shorts and more phlegm-coloured
socks.

The first shock I got was seeing Ole all alone up front. No Teddy or
Yorkie to keep him company. Was Fergie being a bit over-cautious here? The
next shock was seeing Georgie Best in the stands ... sober and with a
silky blonde draped over his arm. How does he do it? Fat, fifty and
prematurely grey with the pulling power of a Dwight Yorke.

At this stage (16 minutes +) the boys in snot green were doing all the
pressing while we had difficulty stringing two coherent passes together. A
couple of times the Brazil nuts split open our defence and it was Bozzie
who came to the rescue. Bosnich today probably had his best ever game for
United. He really was superb. Even his kicking was alright. If he can keep
this sort of form up, then I believe we can win a couple more pots this
season.

On 28 minutes Alex kicked Ole and was booked. (It's not often you read a
sentence like that in a United match report!) I mean Alex the Brazilian of
course, who is supposed to be the latest star to come out of South
America. Before the game he had promised to eclipse Becks. Dream on, Alex.
He wasn't that much better than ordinary today while Becks shone
throughout.

Alex (er, our Alex) got Yorkie to do some warming up exercises down the
touchline, no doubt 'pour encourager les autres' if you'll pardon my
French. And United really did need something to wake them up as Palmeiras
continued to press forward while we ran around like headless scousers. To
me (not having seen the first 15 minutes) it looked like the Super Cup and
Lazio all over again. A tired, uninspired display lacking in any degree of
motivation.

These were my thoughts as, out of the blue, Giggsy picked up the ball out
on the left and took off on one of his runs (the sort that usually jink in
and out mesmorising the defender before getting into a dead end). But not
this time. His race against Junior Baiano (for it was he) was like Carl
Lewis racing Oliver Hardy, a sleek red Ferrari up against a snot-green
steam roller. It was no contest. Giggsy beat his man without much effort
and floated in a delightful cross that looked, maybe, as if the goalie
might just get a fingertip to it. And he did. But that wasn't enough as
the ball fell neatly for Keano to tap in on the volley from close range
for his 148th goal of the season (well, he's scored a few).

Isn't this typical Giggs? With the entire world watching (er, no, not you
lot in South Africa, sorry), he puts on an excellent display in a game
that, let's face it, is nice to win but would not have been heartbreaking
to lose; but, when we need him most (er, Fiorentina) he was absent without
leave. He's a brilliant talent. I just wish he was a bit more consistently
brilliant. I'm greedy.

The goal certainly bucked us up and we put together some neat little
passing moves, but Palmeiras were still intent in getting a quick
equaliser. One attack, a couple of minutes before halftime saw Sivestre
clearing off the line after United had allowed yet another free header in
the box. We really looked suspect in the air in our penalty area today,
which is surprising with big guys like Stam, Keano and Silvestre in there.
One amusing moment before half time involved Becks and, I think, Junior.
The little Brazil feigned injury after a harmless Becks' tackle, but we
didn't have to wait long for payback time. As the ball headed towards the
pair of them, Becks suddenly lurched forward as if shot from a catapult.
The ref blew for a foul, which sent Junior ballistic. The Brazilian
clearly felt that the King of all Cockneys had been going for an Oscar.
Yep, Becks isn't one to take an insult lying down.

On 44 minutes, panic. After an innocuous Irwin tackle, the ref blows for a
free kick close to the edge of our area. Up steps Junior Baiano, aging
Brazilian free kick specialist. Oh God. We're doomed. No, not quite. His
shot, high, wide and not so handsome, is probably still on its way to
Mount Fuji Yama. Not all Brazilians can take a kick like Roberto Carlos
or, dare I whisper it?, like Becks.

So, the ref blew for half time. We were perhaps slightly fortunate to be a
goal up and, worse, we still hadn't conceded the goal we always mnanage to
concede. The game was far from over. We needed at least one more to be
comfortable.

Yorkie was on for Ole at the start of the second half. Ole hadn't done
much, it's true, but he might have been more successful with Yorkie.
Perhaps he'd picked up an injury after suffering a few vicious tackles
from behind. Despite a near miss by Asprilla, ex-Loony Toon, United were
looking brighter this half in defence and, especially, in attack, and the
game itself had become more exciting. On 58 minutes we had the chance to
wrap it up early as Giggsy was fed by Yorke ... but with only the goalie
and a lone defender on the line, he missed. Yorke looked incredulous.
Giggs looked like he always does after a miss, like someone's just
scratched his new Ferrari.

There were more chances for Palmeiras as the game progressed with Alex
missing another free header and Bozzo pulling off some remarkable saves.
At the other end, Giggsy had a couple of chances as United put together
some neat, swift attacking moves. Giggsy, in fact, was having a very good
game. In one move, he swept down the left and turned inside to create a
shooting opportunity for himself ... unfortunately, it fell to his right
foot so we won't speak any more about that one.

The last few minutes were hectic. Another Palmeiras free kick was awarded
just outside our area, this one canoning off our wall and out for a
corner. Then Keano was down hurt for a moment and, soon after, Bozzo went
down too. But both were able to continue.

At last, after 3 minutes of extra time, the ref blew and we were World
Champions. Erm, World Champions?! Well, considering we'd just been crowned
the best team on the planet, the celebrations were far from ecstatic. In
fact, what emotion there was all seemed to belong to the beaten Palmeiras
players half of whom were laid out flat on the ground doing their own
particular impressions of Mr Sami Kuffour, world famous blubber-merchant
of FC Bayern. The United players shook hands and smiled a bit but the high
from this was clearly not  he same level as it was after Barca, the Spurs
game or even Wembley. Fergie looked pleased though, but is probably
already thinking about Everton and, after that,the far more important
Valencia game.

So the lads picked up the cup. In fact, two cups. And Ryan Giggs was
awarded a giant key. I thought it might have been the key to the chastity
belt of the biggest whore in Tokyo, but, silly me, the Welshman had just
won himself a car. A Toyota. Well, he'll just have to throw that old
Ferrari away, I expect. As the picture faded from the screen, I caught
sight of the lads dancing up and down on the pitch, and there was Bozzo
arm in arm with Taibi doing a jig. They must be great pals, although
Taibi's arm appeared to be trying to strangle the life out of Bozzo. It
must have been a trick of light.

Great, we're world champions. The congratulations from Liverpool must be
flowing into Old Trafford just about now :-).
______________
Terry
Saudi
Click On pic - for latest interviews from OT


MANCHESTER UNITED RULE THE WORLD!
Report Result ICC 

Manchester United  1 - 0 Palmeiras 
Keane (34)  
 
Sir Alex Ferguson announced a few surprises in his line-up
for the Toyota Inter-Continental Cup with Paul Scholes
pushed upfront alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

With Andy Cole back home in Manchester, the Manchester
United boss left Dwight Yorke and Teddy Sheringham on the
bench.

Mark Bosnich got the nod in goal, with Massimo Taibi on the
bench. Elsewhere, it looks like a full-strength United
side: Nicky Butt's wrist injury not enough to keep him out
of the starting XI.

The match kicked off at 10.10am London Time.

Faustino Asprilla - once of Newcastle United - was the most
familiar name in the Palmeiras team, though Junior Baiano,
Cesar Sampaio and Zinho have all appeared on the highest
stage of all: the World Cup Final. The English side made
the first incursion in to enemy territory as Butt stole
into the Palmeiras defence. He was fouled, and from the
resulting free-kick, Beckham drilled just over Marcos'
cross-bar.

In an indication of the support to be found in the sell-out
crowd, the flash-bulbs of a thousand cameras went off as
Beckham took the kick, which was met with a roar of
approval.

United went close again as Solskjaer tee'd up Keane,
thrusting through the Brazilian defence, but he couldn't
control the ball at speed and Palmeiras swept the ball away
for the first corner of the match.

Then Asprilla set off on a run at the other end, but found
no way through.

The early tempo of the game was set - relatively cautious
in midfield, with the occasional injection of pace in the
final third. No surprise, perhaps, given the hectic
schedules of both sides. Fortunately, there had been no
hint of the much-hyped and anticipated aggro.

The majority of the opening spell was played in the
Palmeiras half. But the Brazilians opened up, with a series
of probes down the United right. After the opening fifteen
minutes, though, Bosnich, had not been called upon to make
a save.

Junior Baiano had Palmeiras' first real effort on goal in
the 18th minute when the Brazilains earned a free-kick 20
metres from the Bosnich goal. His effort was firmly-struck
but lacked direction. Bosnich didn't have to move as it
soared above him.

Still, the momentum was with Palmeiras, and seconds later
Alex was unlucky not to get a second free-kick when
Silvestre appeared to up-end him on the very edge of the
box. The referee, way behind the action, waved play on.

Then Bosnich was forced into action and made a brilliant
reaction save, sprinting out to close the angle and palm
the ball away for a corner as the incoming Alex tried to
lift the ball over him. 

The best chance of the game so far was created for the
young striker by a thoughtful lob from his strike partner,
Asprilla.

Manchester United, after their initial period of
possession, appeared to have little with which to answer
Palmeiras. 

After 27 minutes, the ref pulled out the yellow card for
the first time. Alex had caught Solskjaer on the heel, very
late, and had no arguments about the card.

On the half hour, when the ball was turned back to Marcos
by Arce, it was the first time for some minutes that he had
actually seen the ball.

And all the Palmeiras pressure counted for nothing when
United took the lead after 34 minues.

Giggs shifted up a gear as he took the ball down the left
touchline, beating the defence for sheer pace. 

Marcos got his fingers to the resulting cross but could
only push the ball into the path of Roy Keane, who was left
with a simple tap-in. 1-0 to Manchester United.

And Nicky Butt sent a fierce shot in a minute later that
certainly worried the Brazilian keeper. The tenor of the
match had suddenly changed.

With five minutes to go before the break, Palmeiras caame
close to equalising. 

Junior sent over an excellent cross from the left flank,
spinning away from the keeper to the far post, where two
Brazilian strikers rose unchallenged to head back across
the face of goal. The ball was heading in, when Silvestre
hooked it away.

Bosnich was quick to thank him.
Despite one final free-kick from Junior Baiano - again
it was high and wide - the rest of the first half was
relatively muted and the whistle blew after a minute 
of time-added-on. 

Half-time:
Manchester United 1 - 0 Palmeiras 

2nd half
Manchester United kicked off and were soon on the attack.
David Beckham picked up a free-kick about ten yards from
the edge of the Palmeiras penalty area.

Instead of shooting Beckham laid it wide and Dwight Yorke -
who came on at half-time for Ole Gunnar Solksjaer - almost
managed to convert the cross.

Immediately Palmeiras countered when Junior Baiano clipped
a long ball which was flicked on by Paulo Nunes for
Faustino Asprilla. But Bosnich managed to do enough to put
off the Colombian striker as he prepared to shoot.

Man Utd were not prepared to sit back and protect their
lead and Yorke began to cause problems, laying off a
Beckham centre which was just curled over by Nicky Butt.

On 53 minutes Palmeiras made a change with Evair coming on
for Galeano. Moments later Faustino Asprillo was replaced
up front by Oseas.

And Palmeiras' new striking partnership almost immediately
made an impression as Oseas attempting to latch on to a
through ball, but it just ran away from him and safely
through to Bosnich.

Chasing the game Palmeiras changed the formation to three
up front - with Oseas, Nunes and Evair - but gaps began to
appear at the back.

And one almost proved disastrous when Dwight Yorke latched
onto a back pass and centred for Giggs who should have made
the score 2-0, but instead shot wide.

The game began to settle into a pattern as Palmeiras
continued to press, but Man Utd continued to find openings
on the left with Giggs and right with Beckham.

On 62 minutes Yorke again caused problems, running the
Palmeiras defence ragged, before shooting straight at
Marcos.

Moments later Man Utd made the mistake of standing off
rising Brazilian star Alex, who ran straight at the heart
of the United defence, before shooting just wide.

Palmeiras picked up a corner but United broke away through
Beckham, who was half tackled, but Scholes picked up the
ball clear on the right as Giggs and Yorke stood free in
the box.

But Palmeiras managed to get back in time to clear what was
a poor centre by the England international.

With 69 minutes gone Paulo Nunes embarked on a mazy run on
the right but could only manage a weak shot which tricked
wide of Bosnich's right-hand post.

Palmeiras had possibly their best chance of the match when
Junior sent in a dipping cross from the left and Alex rose
unmarked at the near post to head just wide as Bosnich
could only look on.

Palmeiras had a corner and the ball fell to Oseas four
yards out who looked certain to score as he blasted his
shot but Bosnich pulled off an amazing reaction save and
Man Utd managed to scramble the ball away.

At the other end Ryan Giggs on the break cut in from the
wing and advanced on goal but again his shot was weak and
straight at the keeper.

From the keeper's throw though, on 78 minutes, Palmeiras
raced up field and Bosnich was forced to save low from a
Junior cross-shot.

Palmeiras continued to press and from a corner Bosnich was
forced to make another spectacular looking save when Evair
blasted the ball goalwards from the edge of the area. The
Australian keeper managed to stretch and fingertip the ball
over the bar.

Less than eight minutes to go and Man Utd were happy to
play keep-ball as Palmeiras looked for that elusive
equaliser.

On 84 minutes Dwight Yorke won a free kick ten yards
outside the Palmeiras penalty area.

Man Utd are careless though and lose possession - Roy Keane
eventually upending Zinho on the halfway line.

As Palmeiras press Oseas wins a throw in deep in the
Manchester United half, but they Reds clear and with only
three minutes remaining are defending strongly.

With just two minutes remaining though Evair was bundled to
the floor by Keane just yards from the Man Utd penalty area
and the ref awards a free kick.

The clock ticks into injury time and Palmeiras launch another
 last ditch attack with Junior. As he sprints into the United
 penalty area, somehow Silvestre manages to clear.

Three minutes of injury time to play.

Palmeiras continued to pres and Junior sends a dangerous cross
 to the far post, but Bosnich managed to hold onto it as Oseas
 puts pressure on the keeper.

The Brazilians get the ball back and pump the ball up into area
 Bosnich is late coming out but is upended when he arrives.

United clear and hang onto the ball in the Palmeiras half.

MANCHESTER UNITED RULE THE WORLD!


TEAMS: 
Man Utd: Bosnich, Irwin, Stam, Gary Neville, Silvestre,
Keane, Scholes, Butt, Beckham, Solskjaer, Giggs. Subs:
Taibi, Phil Neville, Wallwork, Higginbottom, Fortune,
Sheringham, Yorke.

Palmeiras: Marcos, Junior Baiano, Arce, J. Junior, R.
Junior, Zinho, Cesar Sampaio, Galeano, Alex, Asprilla,
Paulo Nunes. Subs: Sergio, Conceicao, Regis, T. dos Santos,
Paulino, Carvalho, O. dos Santos.

Referee: Helmut Krug (Germany
Click On pic - for all player stats from OT