1995 Saudi Arabia
|
The 1995 King Fahd cup was the last tournament held under the name before FIFA took over the organisation of the competition. It was again hosted in Saudi Arabia, with all games taking place at the King Fahd II Stadium in Riyadh.
The 1995 edition was the first to feature a group stage (with the winners of the two pools qualifying for the final) and number of competing teams went up to six: Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Mexico, Argentina, Japan and Nigeria.
The hosts had a miserable time of things in Group A, losing to both Mexico and Denmark by the same score line: 2-0.
It left Mexico and Denmark to battle it out with each other for a place in the final. Luis Garcia put the Mexicans a goal up in the 25th minute but the Europeans fought back to level the game at 1-1 thanks to a goal early in the second half from Peter Rasmussan.
As there was nothing to separate the sides on top of the log, they had a penalty shootout, with the Danes winning 4-2 to book a place in the final.
Group B was dominated by defending champions Argentina. The South Americans thrashed Japan 5-1 and drew 0-0 with Nigeria to top the pool on goal difference after finishing level on points with the Super Eagles.
Mexico and Nigeria faced off for the bronze medals and the Africans were unlucky to go down 5-4 on post match penalties after a 1-1 draw. Ramon Ramirez scored for the Mexicans, while Nigeria’s Daniel Amokachi also got his name on the score sheet.
Denmark, the reigning European champions and pre-tournament favourites, lived up to their billing by defeating Argentina 2-0 in the final to wrestle the crown away from the Albiceleste. Michael Laudrup and Rasmussen each grabbed a goal as the Danes became the first European side to win the competition.
| Group A | ||||||
| Date | Teams |
Score | ||||
| 06 Jan 1995 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
vs |
Mexico |
|
0-2 |
| 08 Jan 1995 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
vs |
Denmark |
|
0-2 |
| 10 Jan 1995 |
|
Mexico |
vs |
Denmark |
|
1-1* |
*Denmark won 4-2 on penalties
|
Group A Standings | ||||||||
|
|
Teams |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
|
|
Denmark |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
Mexico |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
Saudi Arabia |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
| Group B | ||||||
| Date | Teams |
Score | ||||
| 06 Jan 1995 |
|
Japan |
vs |
Nigeria |
|
0-3 |
| 08 Jan 1995 |
|
Japan |
vs |
Argentina |
|
1-5 |
| 10 Jan 1995 |
|
Nigeria |
vs |
Argentina |
|
0-0 |
|
Group B Standings | ||||||||
|
|
Teams |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
|
|
Argentina |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
Nigeria |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
|
|
Japan |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
0 |
| Third Place Play-Off | ||||||
| Date | Teams |
Score | ||||
| 13 Jan 1995 |
|
Mexico |
vs |
Nigeria |
|
1-1* |
*Mexico won 5-4 on penalties
| Final | ||||||
| Date | Teams |
Score | ||||
| 13 Jan 1995 |
|
Denmark |
vs |
Argentina |
|
2-0 |
Leading Goal Scorer: Luis Garcia (Mexico) – 3 goals
