Posted in News on Aug 06, 2004.
In an extraordinary climax to this unique event, Scott Kay's first half goal handed City the title and put an end to United's dreams of glory on their home turf.
The tournament organised by Nike, has brought together the best twenty teams from all over the world at Manchester United's training complex in Carrington.
Over the past twelve months, 7,961 teams from 40 countries competed for the right to qualify for the World Finals and in two weeks the process will start all over again.
City, watched in the stands by Sir Alex Ferguson, played some great football throughout and picked up additional honours with Daniel Sturridge receiving both the award for Top Scorer with 5 goals and Tournament MVP, jointly with Colombian Miguel Benjamin Ramos Mena, from Deportivo Estudiantil.
Manchester goalkeeping legend Alex Stepney also presented the Fair Play Award to Yongin FC from Korea.
On lifting the trophy, as Manchester United Premier Cup World Champions, delighted City coach Paul Power said: "This is amazing and before the Premier Cup started we never imagined we would reach this far.
"With teams like Barcelona and Corinthians in the same group we knew it would be tough so to win the whole event is tremendous. They have all gone home and here we are as the champions.
"The players have learned so much from this experience and playing at Old Trafford will inspire them to really try and make a career out of football.
"A few of the lads are United fans so this is extra sweet for them. And when I was a player I didn't win against United too much so I will enjoy this.
"I must thank Nike once again for a brilliant tournament. It could not have been run any better and luckily we provided the fairytale finish."
Despite the final defeat, United coach Paul McGuiness was delighted with the performance of his team:
"We were overwhelmed by the location and the calibre of the opposition at last year's World Finals in Portland, Oregon, and have been working hard to prepare for this competition.
“Reaching the final and playing at Old Trafford has far exceeded our hopes and expectations.
"The Premier Cup will act as a great stepping stone for the boys who will now hopefully take their careers onto the next level.
"We are not disappointed to have lost the final - our performances throughout have been very encouraging and we look forward to next year."
1FC Köln and Dinamo Zagreb from Croatia contested the third and fourth place play-off and, after a tight battle, Dinamo Zagreb netted the only goal of the game early in the second half to complete a memorable tournament.
Coach Zeljko Adzic said:” I was a professional player for 20 years but this is the most satisfying experience of my football career.
"I am delighted for everyone and this has been such a worthwhile experience for all of our team.
"We now know more about the players and how they will progress in the coming years. Everything has been superb here and we will remember it for a long while."
Dutch international and PSV defender Wilfred Bouma is a big fan of the Premier Cup and said:” These tournaments are so vital for a young player's development and the standard has been very high.
"When I was growing up I never used to like leaving my mother but when I did I had such great fun, bonding with my team-mates and learning new experiences which really helped me out in later life. "
FINAL MATCHES
MTK Hungaria (Hungary) 0 Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) 0 (MTK win 7-6 on pens),
Slavia Praha (Czech Republic) 1 Chonburi (Thailand) 1 (Chonburi win 7-6 on pens),
Colo-Colo (Chile) 0 Inter Milan (Italy) 1,
Dalian Railway (China) 0 Atlas (Mexico) 0 (Dalian win 4-3 on pens),
Estudiantes (Argentina) 2 Yongin FC (China) 2 (Yongin win 8-7 on pens),
AL Arsenal (USA) 1 Barcelona (Spain) 2,
Kashiwa Reysol (Japan) 2 Estudiantil (Colombia) 0,
Corinthians (Brazil) 1 Paris Saint Germain (France) 0.
3RD AND 4TH PLACE MATCH
1FC Köln 0 Dinamo Zagreb 1
FINAL: Manchester United 0 Manchester City 1
FINAL STANDINGS
20th Kaizer Chiefs, 19th MTK Hungaria, 18th Slavia Praha, 17th Chonburi, 16th Colo-Colo, 15th Inter Milan, 14th Atlas , 13th Dalian Railway, 12th Estudiantes, 11th Yongin, 10th AL Arsenal, 9th Barcelona, 8th Estudiantil, 7th Kashiwa Reysol, 6th PSG, 5th Corinthians, 4th 1FC Köln, 3rd Dinamo Zagreb, 2nd Man United, 1st Man City
