DRAMATIC DEBUT - Joaquim Ferraz
Saturday 31st July 1999
The opening fixture of the 1999/2000 season saw an eagerly anticipated derby meeting with Dundee at a sun-drenched Tannadice. The previous two home derby fixtures of the previous season had ended in defeat's to our nearest neighbours. Youngster Hugh Davidson was making his debut, but it was to be another debutant who would grab all of the headlines.
The opening minutes saw a less than dramatic start to the match, not giving any indication of what was to follow much later. However, the game burst into life after 14 minutes when a Hugh Davidson corner was blasted into the net, via the underside of the bar, by Magnus Skoldmark. The Swedes's opener also became the first Premier League goal of the new season. United dominance began to fade as the visitors came into the game, with James Grady twice and Steven Tweed both having goal-scoring opportunities in the first-half.
Dundee continued to look dangerous after the break, and it was no great surprise when they equalised in the 53rd minute. A fine spell of passing ended with Willie Miller firing in a ball from 30 yards out which Willie Falconer controlled before powering home from 12 yards.
Soon, however, United crept back into the match, and it was a substitution from manager Paul Sturrock which would prove to be a master-stroke. The introduction of Portuguese striker Joaquim Ferraz, memoriably wearing a head bandage protecting five stitches in his forehead, with 25 minutes remaining in place of Steven Thompson, had an immediate impact. His first touch almost put United ahead, Douglas more than happy to parry his effort away for a corner. From the ensuing corner Skoldmark saw his header clearned off the line as the game became centred around the Dundee goal. Billy Dodds and Hugh Davidson both had good efforts blocked before a powerful Jason de Vos header was superbly saved by Douglas. Ferraz again almost scored when his header hit the outside of the post.
Substitute Craig Easton was introduced into the frey as United turned the screw, forcing the visitors deeper into their own half. The string of fine saves from keeper Douglas could only delay the empending winner from United, and it came with only five minutes remaining. Dodds found Jim Paterson on the wing, and his teasing cross was headed goalwards by Joaquim Ferraz. Douglas partially blocked the big striker's effort but he couldn't prevent the ball bouncing towards the line, and although Barry Smith bravely attempted to head the ball clear from the inrushing Billy Dodds, the linesman signalled that the ball had crossed the line.
So United won the opening day derby thanks to a late headed goal from new striker Joaquim Ferraz - a dramatic debut indeed! The player nicknamed 'Quim' would again be the derby hero, this time in December, again scoring a late winner in a 1-0 victory at Tannadice.
Final Score
UNITED (1) 2 Skoldmark
13 Ferraz 85
DUNDEE (0) 1 Falconer 53
Team - Combe, Worrell, de Vos, Jonsson,
Pascual, Davidson, Skoldmark (Easton 83),
Hannah, J Paterson, Dodds, Thompson (Ferraz 66)
unused - Gallacher, Malpas, Mathie.