Champions
Pre-tournament favourites and European champions Denmark
lived up to their top billing by winning the 1995 King Fahd Cup.
With players of the calibre of the storied Laudrup brothers
(Michael and Brian), ably supported by Bjorn Kristensen, Mark
Strudal and Peter Rasmussen, the Danes were a cut above the rest in
the searing heat of Riyadh. Hosts Saudi Arabia were the first to be
dispatched, 2-0 in a game where they were outclassed in every
department by Richard Nielsen's side. Mexico then gave the
Scandinavians their closest game of the tournament, holding them to
a 1-1 draw, before Lars Hogh's heroics in the penalty shoot-out
sent the Danes through to the Final.
Argentina, despite having Roberto Ayala, Javier Zanetti and Ariel Ortega in their side, put up little resistance in the Final. A Michael Laudrup penalty and a Rasmussen strike gave Denmark a comfortable 2-0 win, and the King Fahd Cup was heading for the frozen north.
Surprises
Apart from the all-conquering Danish outfit, none of the
other sides really stood out. Daniel Passarella's Argentina had
trouble finding any rhythm, winning one, drawing one and losing
their final match to miss out on the title. Japan let in eight
goals and were sent packing with two defeats to their name. The
hosts flattered to deceive, so only Mexico could look back on the
tournament with some satisfaction, after edging Nigeria on
penalties to take third place.
Participants
Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Denmark, Japan, Mexico and
Nigeria.
Host cities
All the games were played in Riyadh.
Top scorers
- Luis García (MEX), 3 goals
- Daniel Amokachi (NGA), 2 goals
- Gabriel Batistuta (ARG), 2 goals
- Peter Rasmussen (DEN), 2 goals
Spectators
110,000
Average attendance
13,750