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2001 Intercontinental Cup
2001 Intercontinental Cup
2001 Intercontinental Cup
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2001 Intercontinental Cup
Bayern Munich Boca Juniors
Germany Argentina
1 0
After extra time
Date27 November 2001
VenueNational Stadium, Tokyo
Man of the MatchSamuel Kuffour (Bayern Munich)
RefereeKim Milton Nielsen (Denmark)
Attendance51,360
WeatherWind light
13.3 °C (55.9 °F)
36% humidity[1]
← 2000
2002 →

The 2001 Intercontinental Cup was an association football match played on 27 November 2001 between Bayern Munich, winners of the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League, and winners of the 2001 Copa Libertadores, Boca Juniors, which was also the defending champions. The match was played at the neutral venue of the National Stadium in Tokyo in front of 51,360 fans. Samuel Kuffour was named as man of the match.[2] This was the last Intercontinental Cup played in Tokyo, since International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama was used from 2002 edition.

Venue

[edit]
Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, hosted the final

Match details

[edit]
Bayern Munich Germany1–0 (a.e.t.)Argentina Boca Juniors
Kuffour 109' Report
Attendance: 51,360
Bayern Munich
Boca Juniors
GK 1 Germany Oliver Kahn (c)
RB 2 France Willy Sagnol
CB 12 Croatia Robert Kovač
CB 4 Ghana Samuel Kuffour Yellow card 29'
LB 3 France Bixente Lizarazu
CM 23 England Owen Hargreaves Yellow card 72' downward-facing red arrow 76'
CM 8 Croatia Niko Kovač downward-facing red arrow 76'
CM 17 Germany Thorsten Fink
RF 13 Brazil Paulo Sérgio
CF 9 Brazil Giovane Élber Yellow card 106'
LF 14 Peru Claudio Pizarro downward-facing red arrow 118'
Substitutes:
GK 22 Germany Bernd Dreher
GK 33 Germany Stefan Wessels
DF 25 Germany Thomas Linke
MF 6 Guinea Pablo Thiam upward-facing green arrow 118'
MF 10 Switzerland Ciriaco Sforza upward-facing green arrow 76'
MF 30 France Alou Diarra
FW 19 Germany Carsten Jancker upward-facing green arrow 76'
Manager:
Germany Ottmar Hitzfeld
GK 1 Colombia Óscar Córdoba Yellow card 102'
CB 2 Argentina Nicolás Burdisso
CB 6 Argentina Rolando Schiavi Yellow card 111'
CB 13 Argentina Cristian Traverso
RWB 4 Argentina Jorge Martínez downward-facing red arrow 18'
LWB 14 Argentina Clemente Rodríguez Yellow card 70'
DM 5 Colombia Mauricio Serna (c) Yellow card 5'
RM 26 Argentina Javier Villarreal downward-facing red arrow 100'
LM 7 Argentina Guillermo Barros Schelotto Yellow card 83'
AM 10 Argentina Juan Román Riquelme
CF 16 Argentina Marcelo Delgado Yellow card 19' Red card 46'
Substitutes:
GK 12 Argentina Roberto Abbondanzieri
DF 20 Argentina Joel Barbosa
DF 22 Argentina José María Calvo upward-facing green arrow 18' downward-facing red arrow 111'
MF 21 Argentina Christian Giménez
MF 28 Argentina Gustavo Pinto upward-facing green arrow 100'
FW 9 Argentina Antonio Barijho
FW 18 Argentina Ariel Carreño upward-facing green arrow 111'
Manager:
Argentina Carlos Bianchi

Man of the Match:
Samuel Kuffour (Bayern Munich)[4]

Assistant referees:
Jørgen Jepsen (Denmark)[3]
Mikael Nilsson (Sweden)[3]
Fourth official:
Masayoshi Okada (Japan)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2001 Intercontinental Cup

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from Grokipedia
The 2001 Intercontinental Cup was an association football match played on 27 November 2001 between Bayern Munich of Germany, winners of the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League, and Boca Juniors of Argentina, winners of the 2001 Copa Libertadores, at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. The match, refereed by Kim Milton Nielsen of Denmark, attracted a crowd of 51,360 spectators and ended 1–0 to Bayern Munich after extra time, with Samuel Kuffour scoring the decisive goal in the 109th minute from a header off a Willy Sagnol corner. The Intercontinental Cup was an annual competition from 1960 to 2004 that pitted the winners against the champions to crown the club world champion, a format jointly organized by and before evolving into the in 2005. For Bayern, coached by , the victory marked their second title in the competition, following their 1976 triumph over Cruzeiro, and completed a treble of major honors that year after securing the and . , the defending champions after famously defeating Real Madrid 2–1 in 2000 with a brace from Martín Palermo (3' and 6') and Roberto Carlos replying for Madrid (12'), were appearing in their second consecutive final under coach but fell short despite a resilient defensive display that forced extra time. The final was a tense, low-scoring affair characterized by Boca's compact midfield pressing and Bayern's dominance in possession, with the Germans registering more shots but struggling to break through until Kuffour's extra-time intervention. This outcome highlighted the growing competitiveness between European and South American clubs in the early 2000s, as the Intercontinental Cup bridged continental rivalries before the global expansion of club football under .

Background

Competition format

The Intercontinental Cup was an annual club football competition held from 1960 to 2004, contested between the winners of the (formerly the European Cup) and the , representing the champions of and , respectively. Initially organized on a home-and-away two-legged basis, the tournament transitioned in 1980 to a single-match format at a neutral venue in , sponsored by Motor Corporation, which renamed it the Toyota Cup during this period. In 2001, the competition followed this established single-legged format, featuring a one-off final between the two continental champions at the National Stadium in , . If the match ended in a draw after 90 minutes, extra time would be played, followed by a penalty shoot-out if necessary, with no aggregate scoreline applicable due to the single-game structure. This edition marked the 40th in the competition's history, accounting for two years (1975 and 1978) when no matches were held due to participant disputes. The 2001 Intercontinental Cup occurred during a transitional phase for global club competitions, as it represented one of the final editions before the tournament's merger into the starting in 2005, which expanded participation to include champions from all confederations.

Qualification process

The 2001 Intercontinental Cup featured the champions of Europe's and South America's , with no additional draw or seeding process required as the matchup was determined solely by the winners of those tournaments. Bayern Munich earned qualification by defeating 1–1 (5–4 on ) in the final on May 23, 2001, at the in , . secured their spot with a victory over in the final, played over two legs: the first leg on June 20, 2001, at in ended 0–1 to , followed by the second leg on June 28, 2001, at in , which finished 0–1 to after extra time (aggregate 1–1), with winning 3–1 in the . These continental finals concluded in May and June 2001, setting the stage for the Intercontinental Cup showdown on November 27, 2001, at the National Stadium in , .

Participating teams

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich, one of Europe's most dominant clubs, qualified for the 2001 Intercontinental Cup as winners of the under the guidance of coach . The German giants had just completed a treble-winning domestic season, securing the title for the third consecutive year and adding the , while their European triumph marked their first Champions League success in 25 years. Heading into the competition, Bayern showcased impressive form across competitions. In the , they amassed 63 points from 19 wins, 6 draws, and 9 losses, finishing comfortably ahead of rivals Schalke 04. Their Champions League campaign highlighted defensive resilience, conceding just 12 goals over 17 matches en route to the title, with an overall record of 11 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses. This blend of solidity and attacking flair positioned them as favorites on the global stage. The squad featured a core of world-class talents, including goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, renowned for his commanding presence and shot-stopping ability; defender Samuel Kuffour, a key pillar in the backline; midfielder Mehmet Scholl, who provided creativity and precise passing; and forward Giovane Élber, the team's top scorer with 6 goals in the Champions League alone. These players exemplified Bayern's balanced approach, combining experience with technical excellence. For the Intercontinental Cup match, Bayern fielded a starting XI of in goal; defenders , , , and ; midfielders , , and ; and forwards , , and . This lineup reflected Hitzfeld's tactical preference for a robust 4-3-3 formation.

Boca Juniors

, an Argentine football powerhouse, approached the 2001 Intercontinental Cup as the defending champions and strong contenders in the ongoing 2001 Apertura of the Primera División (where they ultimately finished third), guided by head coach , who had masterminded their recent continental successes. The squad featured standout talents including goalkeeper , known for his shot-stopping reliability; defenders and , providing defensive solidity with Samuel's commanding presence at center-back; playmaking midfielder , renowned for his vision and precise passing; and prolific forward , a key goal threat. Leading into the match, Boca demonstrated dominant form in the 2001 , where they qualified for the Intercontinental Cup by triumphing in the tournament with an attacking flair that saw them score 20 goals across the competition. Domestically, they had finished third in the 2000–01 Clausura behind San Lorenzo and River Plate, maintaining competitiveness in the league. For the Intercontinental Cup clash, Boca's starting XI comprised in goal; defenders Cristian Traverso, Rolando Schiavi, , and Jorge Martínez; midfielders Mauricio Serna, Javier Villarreal, , and ; and forward , with substitutes including Clemente Rodríguez ready to provide depth and tactical flexibility.

Pre-match

Travel and preparation

Bayern departed following their match against on November 24, 2001, and arrived in on the morning of November 26 after a relatively short transcontinental flight from . In contrast, undertook a significantly longer journey from , arriving in approximately a week before the match, which exposed them to greater challenges from across multiple time zones. Both teams conducted open training sessions in on to acclimate to the local environment and refine their strategies ahead of the match. ' coach noted that his squad had successfully managed the effects of their extended travel, focusing on recovery and tactical adjustments during the sessions. Bayern , benefiting from a shorter trip, emphasized team cohesion in their preparations under coach . As title sponsor since 1980, organized welcome events in to honor the participating teams and promote the competition, fostering goodwill among players and local fans. Pre-match interviews highlighted mutual respect between the squads. The match was scheduled for November 27, 2001, with kick-off at 19:20 local time (JST) at the National Stadium, selected to suit international broadcast audiences and evening viewing in .

Team news and predictions

Bayern Munich entered the match with a largely fit squad, though captain was ruled out due to a leg injury sustained earlier in November. was anticipated to fill the central midfield role in his absence, providing experience and control in the engine room. was confirmed to start at left-back to anchor the defense. For , striker was declared fully fit following his recovery from a broken and suffered earlier in 2001 while on loan at , allowing him to partner Diego Cagna up front. Playmaker was set to feature as the creative hub behind the forwards, despite the physical demands of Boca's extended campaign in the and domestic leagues. No other significant absences were reported for the Argentine side. Pre-match media analysis positioned Bayern as clear favorites, leveraging their status as winners and superior squad depth from European competition. Argentine outlets emphasized Boca's resilient counter-attacking approach under as a viable path to an upset, drawing on their defensive organization and rapid transitions. Betting markets reflected this sentiment, with Bayern installed at short odds of approximately 1.50 for victory. Tactical breakdowns focused on the contrasting setups: Bayern's disciplined 4-4-2 with a double pivot for solidity versus Boca's fluid 4-4-2 diamond, which prioritized Riquelme's vision and distribution in midfield. Experts anticipated a key in the center of the park, where Bayern's and would aim to neutralize Riquelme's influence and Boca's quick breaks.

Match

Venue and officials

The 2001 Intercontinental Cup final was held at the National Stadium in , , which had served as the neutral venue for the competition's single-leg finals since the format's introduction in 1980. The stadium, with a capacity exceeding 50,000, accommodated an attendance of 51,360 spectators, comprising local Japanese enthusiasts, expatriate communities, and traveling fans from both Bayern Munich and . The match was officiated by Danish referee , supported by assistant referees Jørgen Jepsen of and Mikael Nilsson of , with Masayoshi Okada of serving as the fourth official. The playing conditions were favorable, featuring clear weather and a well-maintained pitch in excellent condition following prior upgrades to the facility.

Match summary

The match began with Bayern asserting early control, dominating possession while mounted a resilient defensive effort to keep the scoreline goalless. Notable chances were scarce, though Bayern forward tested Boca goalkeeper with a shot in the 28th minute, which was comfortably saved. The half ended without breakthroughs, as both teams traded cautious probes amid physical challenges that drew multiple cautions from the referee. Boca were reduced to 10 men just before when forward received a second yellow card in the 45+1st minute for simulation. The second half mirrored the stalemate, with Bayern maintaining pressure but struggling to penetrate Boca's organized backline despite the numerical advantage and continued superiority in possession. A key moment came in the 67th minute when Boca playmaker curled a against the post, nearly handing the the lead as fatigue began to set in for both sides. Despite Boca's resilience with 10 men, the 90 minutes concluded 0–0, forcing the game into extra time after a gritty, low-scoring affair marked by defensive resilience and a total of 10 yellow cards. In extra time, with Boca still down to 10 men, the tempo remained cautious until the 109th minute, when Bayern capitalized from a taken by ; headed the ball on, it was partially cleared, and blocked the follow-up to tee up , who headed home the winner at the far post. Boca pushed forward in the closing stages but could not equalize, as the Germans held firm to secure the victory. The final whistle confirmed Bayern Munich's 1–0 triumph after extra time, with no need for a penalty shootout.

Post-match

Reactions and celebrations

Following Bayern Munich's 1–0 extra-time victory over Boca Juniors in the 2001 Intercontinental Cup, scorer Samuel Kuffour described the match as a pinnacle of his career, stating, "The whole day turned out to be a dream come true for me—first the meeting with Kofi Annan, then the decisive goal." Kuffour, who netted in the 109th minute from a corner, later recounted the ensuing celebrations at the team hotel, where "everyone stood up for me and clapped... all these great players and people at FC Bayern were applauding me, Sammy Kuffour from Ghana. I had shivers down my spine." The players lifted the trophy on the pitch amid a festive atmosphere, marking Bayern's second Intercontinental title after 1976. He highlighted the significance of the win for African players, noting that few had achieved such success before him. In contrast, ' camp reflected disappointment tempered by recognition of their resilience. Coach , addressing the locker room after the loss, congratulated his players, noting they "did everything possible and played a great game despite being a man down" following Marcelo Delgado's red card. Star Juan Román Riquelme, who endured physical challenges throughout the match, was seen sitting on the field in tears post-whistle, visibly frustrated yet composed amid the defeat. The match drew a crowd of 51,360 to Tokyo's National Stadium, including traveling Bayern supporters who contributed to the electric atmosphere with chants supporting their team. Argentine media outlets praised Boca's tenacious performance despite the numerical disadvantage and the late concession, highlighting the squad's fight in the global showcase. The post-match ceremony, organized by as the tournament's title sponsor, featured the presentation of winner's medals to Bayern's squad and staff on the pitch, along with the handover.

Broader impact

The 2001 Intercontinental Cup victory marked Bayern Munich's second title in the competition, following their 1976 triumph over Cruzeiro, reinforcing the club's status as a global powerhouse after a 25-year gap. This success provided a morale boost at the outset of the 2001–02 season, serving as a positive highlight amid domestic and European challenges, with players like later reflecting on it as a "dream come true" that underscored the team's resilience. The event, held in , further elevated Bayern's reputation in , where the annual hosting of the cup by Toyota had already fostered growing interest in European football among Japanese fans. For , the runners-up finish represented a setback in what was otherwise a dominant era under coach , but it fueled the narrative of a transatlantic rivalry with Bayern that dated back to friendlies in the and continued through competitive clashes. Despite the loss, the experience contributed to the momentum of Bianchi's tenure, which saw Boca secure consecutive titles in 2000 and 2001 before clinching the Intercontinental Cup in 2003 against , cementing their international legacy. The match exemplified the Intercontinental Cup's role in showcasing high-stakes clashes between European and South American champions, a format that had defined club football's global dimension since 1960 and highlighted stylistic contrasts between the continents. As one of the final editions of the standalone competition—concluding after 2004 when it was merged into the starting in 2005—it underscored the transition toward a more inclusive worldwide tournament structure. (This fact is corroborated across official football histories.) Culturally, the event in Japan's National Stadium, attended by 51,360 spectators, amplified football's popularity in the host nation, where the cup's annual presence since 1980 had introduced top international talents and boosted local engagement with the sport. Broadcast globally, the final reached millions of viewers, influencing subsequent club tours and commercial ventures in for both teams.

References

  1. https://fcbayern.com/en/club/honours/intercontinental-cup/intercontinental-cup-winner-2001
  2. https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/intercontinentalcup/2024/articles/information-tournament-details
  3. https://www.transfermarkt.com/bayern-munich_ca-boca-juniors/index/spielbericht/1169665
  4. https://www.worldfootball.net/goalgetter/weltpokal-2001/
  5. https://fcbayern.com/en/news/2021/02/fifa-club-world-cup/2001-intercontinental-cup-win---sammy-kuffour---dream-day
  6. https://www.transfermarkt.com/ca-boca-juniors_real-madrid/aufstellung/spielbericht/1169664
  7. https://www.rsssf.org/tablest/toyota.html
  8. https://www.managingmadrid.com/2024/12/16/24322794/a-brief-history-of-the-intercontinental-cup
  9. https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/seasons/2000/
  10. https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/67752--bayern-munchen-vs-valencia/
  11. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/jun/29/newsstory.sport4
  12. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/table/2000-2001
  13. https://fbref.com/en/squads/054efa67/2000-2001/c8/Bayern-Munich-Stats-Champions-League
  14. https://www.transfermarkt.us/carlos-bianchi/profil/trainer/2588
  15. https://thesefootballtimes.co/2017/11/02/boca-juniors-and-the-unforgettable-intercontinental-cup-win-of-2000/
  16. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/competition/overall/4626-copa_libertadores/2001
  17. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2001/11/27/soccer/world-cup/bayern-munich-boca-ready-to-do-battle/
  18. https://fcbayern.com/en/news/2025/06/boca-juniors-who-are-bayern-club-world-cup-opponents
  19. https://global.toyota/en/detail/7626460
  20. https://www.rsssf.org/tablest/toyota01.html
  21. https://fcbayern.com/en/news/2025/06/stefan-effenberg-on-bayerns-clash-against-boca
  22. https://miasanrot.com/inconspicuous-rise-to-the-top/
  23. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/279169-martin-palermo-argentinas-under-appreciated-star
  24. https://www.transfermarkt.us/bayern-munich_ca-boca-juniors/index/spielbericht/1169665
  25. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/28/sports/IHT-kuffour-grabs-winner-in-extra-time-of-game-marred-by-10-yellow.html
  26. https://www.infobae.com/deportes/2020/12/09/la-reaccion-de-riquelme-y-que-dijo-bianchi-en-el-vestuario-de-boca-tras-perder-la-final-contra-el-bayern-munich-en-la-intercontinental-2001/
  27. https://fcbayern.com/en/club/honours
  28. https://www.modernghana.com/sports/658342/today-in-history-osei-kuffour-wins-intercontinental-cup-for.html
  29. https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/fifa-club-world-cup/articles-video/100-years-after-the-first-boca-and-bayern-munich-the-beginning-of-a-transatlantic-rivalry-2025-06-20
  30. https://thesefootballtimes.co/2016/05/26/carlos-bianchi-and-the-art-of-winning-the-copa-libertadores/
  31. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ca-boca-juniors_ac-milan/index/spielbericht/1169667
  32. https://soccer365.net/competitions/2135/2001/
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