Dubai Champions Cup Explained
The Dubai Champions Cup (originally called the Dubai Super Cup) was an annual association football match contested between the champions of the English and Scottish leagues. The competition took place for three consecutive seasons from 1986–87 to 1988–89 in the United Arab Emirates port of Dubai,[1] during the time when English football clubs were banned from taking part in UEFA club competitions as a result of the Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985.[2]
History
The first match took place on 9 December 1986 at the Al Wasl Stadium between English champions Liverpool and Scottish champions Celtic. The match finished 1–1, with Liverpool winning 4–2 on a penalty shoot-out.[3] [4]
English champions Everton and Scottish champions Rangers played the match the following year in December 1987. Rangers came from two goals behind to level the match after 90 minutes at 2–2. This was despite referee Keith Cooper disallowing six goals for the Ibrox club during the game. Rangers went on to win 8–7 on penalty kicks.[5] [6] [7]
The final match took place on 4 April 1989 at the Al-Nasar Stadium. The competition was now renamed the Dubai Champions Cup and featured the same sides that took part in 1986; Liverpool and Celtic. Once again the match finished level after 90 minutes, 1–1; this time Celtic won 4–2 on penalty kicks.[8] [9] [10]
1986–87
1987–88
1988–89
Notes and References
- Book: Campbell. Tom. Woods. Pat. A Celtic A - Z. 1992. Greenfield Press. 095195010X. 46–47.
- Web site: Bloomfield. Craig. Celtic's Hillsborough tribute, rare footage of Rangers v Everton and more Old Firm matches with English clubs. talkSport. 6 September 2017. 18 October 2011.
- News: Cameron. Alex. Celts in a spot. 22 February 2022. Daily Record. 10 December 1986.
- News: Celtic rise to challenge but lose on penalties. 9 May 2017. The Glasgow Herald. 10 December 1986. 24.
- News: Hilton. Nick. Battle of Britain. 15 May 2014. Liverpool Echo. 7 December 2012.
- Web site: Reynolds. Jim. Rangers strike 16 times for gold. The Glasgow Herald. 25 January 2015. 24. 9 December 1987.
- News: Wilson . Fraser . The day Rangers defeated Everton in Dubai despite having SIX goals disallowed to become unofficial champions of Britain . 25 August 2018 . Daily Record . 20 March 2018.
- News: McNee. Gerry. Stark spot-on in the desert. 15 May 2014. Daily Express. 7 April 1989. 16 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140116182338/http://image.wikifoundry.com/image/1/vaReKTsPfxPLTEwyYU5X5Q1567960/GW903H1315. dead.
- News: Stark finds a sweet spot for Celtic's desert kings. 9 May 2017. The Glasgow Herald. 5 April 1989. 28.
- News: Young . Graeme . When Celtic faced Liverpool in the Middle East and became British champions . 19 December 2021 . Daily Record . 17 March 2018.