The World U-16 Cup was played in Scotland in June 1989.
The group games were all played as double headers.
GROUP A
Group A began with a small attendance of around 6,000 at Hampden Park on 10th June where hosts Scotland drew 0-0 with Ghana before Bahrain beat Cuba 3-0. The Ghana team featured future full international Nil Lamptey who had a brief spell with Aston Villa. The star of the Scotland team was future international Paul Dickov who famously scored for Manchester City in their Wembley play off victory over Gillingham.
On 12th June the teams moved to Fir Park, Motherwell where over 9,000 fans saw score three goals late in the first half to also beat Cuba 3-0 before Bahrain beat Ghana 1-0 to top the group.
Fir Park was again the venue as over 13,000 saw Scotland take an early lead before Bahrain equalised to draw 1-1 and win Group A.
Scotland progressed to the Quarter Finals in Second Place as Cuba and Ghana drew 2-2.
GROUP B
Group B was played at Pittodrie Stadium in Aberdeen with all crowds around 2.500.
East Germany beat Australia 1-0 before USA beat Brazil 1-0 in the opening days fixtures. Australia team included future World Cup goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer who had a successful career in England and current Australia manager Tony Popovic.
On 12th June East Germany crushed USA 5-2 , before Australia again lost, this time 3-1 to Brazil. The USA team included future international and Rangers midfielder Claudio Reyna , whose son is currently playing for USA at World Cup.
The final round of games saw Brazil finish in second place after beating East Germany the group winners 2-1 before Australia and USA drew 2-2.
GROUP C
Group C was played at Dens Park, Dundee with crowds in the region of 6,000 per day.
Argentina opened with a 0-0 draw with China, before Nigeria beat Canada 4-0.
The second day saw Argentina again draw 0-0 this time with Nigeria before China beat Canada 1-0.
The final games saw Argentina claim second spot with a 4-1 win over Canada before Nigeria’s 3-0 win over China won them the group.
GROUP D
Group D was a very tight affair hosted at Tynecastle Stadium Edinburgh where attendances were around 3,000.
Guinea opened the scoring early before Colombia equalised with a second half penalty to make it 1-1 in the opening game.
A Luis Figo penalty opened the scoring for Portugal who led 2-0 at half time before Saudi Arabia came back to draw 2-2.
The second group games saw Saudi Arabia again draw 2-2 , this time with Guinea.
A great game between Portugal Columbia saw the Europeans win 3-2.
The final group games saw a late goal by Portugal claim a 1-1 draw with Guinea to top the group on goal difference from Saudi Arabia who beat Colombia 1-0.
QUARTER FINALS
FIR PARK – MOTHERWELL
Bahrain beat Brazil 4-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in front of 9,500 crowd.
DENS PARK – DUNDEE
Saudi Arabia beat Nigeria 2-0 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in front of 5,500 crowd.
PITTODRIE STADIUM – ABERDEEN
Scotland’s John Lindsay was the home hero with a late goal to secure a 1-0 win over a strong East German side, in front of 10,200 fans.
TYNECASTLE STADIUM – EDINBURGH
Argentina’s early lead was cancelled out by Portugal’s Luis Figo , and they would go on to win 2-1 with a early second half goal.
SEMI FINALS
TYNECASTLE STADIUM – EDINBURGH
A massive crowd 29,000 crammed into Tynecastle to witness Brian O’Neill score the only goal of the game as Scotland beat Portugal 1-0. The Portugal team featured future internationals Luis Figo and Abel Xavier.
FIR PARK – MOTHERWELL
Saudi Arabia beat Bahrain 1-0 in front of 9,000 fans
THIRD PLACE PLAYOFF
TYNECASTLE STADIUM – EDINBURGH
Portugal beat Bahrain 3-0
FINAL
HAMPDEN PARK – GLASGOW
Scotland u-16 team in 1989 at Hampden Park , Glasgow
A crowd of 50,956 saw Scotland open the scoring through in 7mins through Ian Downie, before Paul Dickov doubled the hosts lead in 25mins. Saudi Arabia came back in the second half to level at 2-2 before Scotland’s Brian O’Neill missed a penalty.
In the penalty shoot out Paul Dickov missed Scotland’s opening kick but a Saudi Arabia missed their third kick.
After the opening 5 kicks the scores were level at 4-4.
Saudi Arabia won 5-4 after Brian O’Neill missed again in sudden death.
Saudi Arabia u-16 team in 1989 at Tynecastle Park Edinburgh
Football is Academical 