1998–99 Hibernian F.C. season
Season 1998–99 was a successful season for Hibs, as the club bounced back from the relegation suffered in 1998, gaining promotion at the first attempt with a record points total. There was disappointment in the cup competitions, however, as the club were beaten by Stirling Albion in the Scottish Cup, and were hammered 4–0 by St Johnstone in the League Cup. As a First Division club, Hibs would have entered the Scottish Challenge Cup, but the competition was not played during the 1998–99 season due to a lack of sponsorship.


1998–99 Hibernian F.C. season, Player stats
During the 1998–99 season, Hibs used 34 different players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player. Goalkeeper Olafur Gottskalksson played in every competitive match.


1998–99 Highland Football League
The 1998–1999 Highland Football League was won by Peterhead. Fort William finished bottom.


1998–99 Highland League Cup
The 1998-99 Tennents Highland League Cup was the 54th edition of the Highland League's premier knock-out football competition. The winners were Forres Mechanics, who defeated Keith 1-0 in the final at Borough Briggs in Elgin.


1998–99 Highland League Cup, Group stage
The first stage of the Cup was a group stage consisting of four groups, called districts, of four teams. The four group winners qualified for the semi-finals.


1998–99 Highland League Cup, Semi-Finals
Ties in the semi-finals took place on Saturday 1 May


1998–99 Honduran Liga Nacional
Although the tournament was played from January to July 1999, this is officially known as the 1998–99 season in the Honduran football league, it was also the last non-Apertura-Clausura format season played. Club Deportivo Olimpia conquered its 14th title in its history.


1998–99 Honduran Segunda División
The 1998–99 Honduran Segunda División was the 32nd season of the Honduran Segunda División. Under the management of Miguel Escalante, C.D. Federal won the tournament after defeating C.D. Melgar in the final series and obtained promotion to the 1999–2000 Honduran Liga Nacional.


1998–99 Hong Kong FA Cup
1998–99 Hong Kong FA Cup was the 24th staging of the Hong Kong FA Cup.


1998–99 Hong Kong FA Cup
It was competed by all of the 8 teams from Hong Kong First Division League. The competition kicked off on 29 April 1999 and finished on 25 May with the final.


1998–99 Hong Kong FA Cup
South China won the cup for the seventh time after beating Instant-Dict 1-0 in the final.


1998–99 Hong Kong First Division League
The 1998–99 Hong Kong First Division League season was the 88th since its establishment.


1998–99 Hong Kong First Division League
The first match was played on 30 August 1998 with Instant-Dict drew South China 2–2. However, as there was an ineligible player in Instant-Dict's squad and the team was penalised with a 0–3 loss.


1998–99 Hong Kong First Division League, Second stage
NB: Teams take points and goals halved from first phase. GF and GA is rounded.


1998–99 Houston Rockets season
The 1998–99 NBA season was the Rockets' 32nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 28th season in Houston. To replace the retiring Clyde Drexler, the Rockets acquired All-Star forward, and six-time champion Scottie Pippen from the Chicago Bulls, and signed free agent Antoine Carr, who appeared in two NBA Finals appearances with the Utah Jazz. Pippen, Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley had previously played together on the U.S. Men's basketball team in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. With the addition of Pippen, the Rockets got off to a 6–2 start, but then lost five of their next seven games.


1998–99 Houston Rockets season
At midseason, the team re-acquired former guard, and three-point specialist Sam Mack from the Vancouver Grizzlies. The Rockets played solid basketball posting a nine-game winning streak in March, and finished third in the Midwest Division with a 31–19 record. Pippen had a solid season averaging 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Olajuwon was named to the All-NBA Third Team, leading the Rockets with 18.9 points and 2.5 blocks per game, while Barkley averaged 16.1 points and led them with 12.3 rebounds per game. Top draft pick Michael Dickerson, and second round draft pick Cuttino Mobley were both selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.


1998–99 Houston Rockets season
However, in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Rockets lost one game to three to the Los Angeles Lakers. After the defeat, the Rockets would not return to the playoffs until 2004. Pippen spent only one season with the Rockets, as he and Barkley had trouble getting along as teammates. Following the season, Pippen was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, while Dickerson and Carr were traded along with Othella Harrington, and Brent Price to the Vancouver Grizzlies, Mack and Matt Maloney were both released to free agency, and Eddie Johnson retired.


1998–99 Houston Rockets season, Player statistics
NOTE: Please write the players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.


1998–99 Huddersfield Town A.F.C. season
Huddersfield Town's 1998–99 campaign was Town's full season with Peter Jackson at the helm. At the end of the season, Town finished a respectable 10th place, but within a day of the end of the season, owner Barry Rubery sacked Peter Jackson to the shock of just about every Huddersfield Town fan.


1998–99 Huddersfield Town A.F.C. season, Squad at the start of the season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Huddersfield Town A.F.C. season, Review
Among the summer transfers brought in by manager Peter Jackson was Belgian goalkeeper Nico Vaesen, who was sent off on his debut after just 9 minutes against Bury, but after that made some exceptional performances in the Town net, which helped Town reach top spot in September and October. During that time, Town played Sunderland, which at the time saw a record 20,241 at a match at the McAlpine Stadium. (That would be eclipsed by the 21,629 that saw Town play Derby County in the FA Cup 5th round in February.)


1998–99 Huddersfield Town A.F.C. season, Review
Jackson recruited winger Ben Thornley (a popular loan signing under Horton) from Manchester United and in September, they beat Tranmere Rovers to top the early Division 1 table, thanks chiefly to the goalscoring prowess of Stewart and Allison.


1998–99 Huddersfield Town A.F.C. season, Review
Even though Town were top of the table, their away form was very mediocre at best. This was probably proven by their 7–1 loss to Barnsley in November (They were 6–0 down at half-time and to make matters worse the game was shown on Sky Sports!) Town did however have a good run in the FA Cup which culminated in a 5th round match against Premier League side Derby County. They eventually lost 3–1 in the replay at Pride Park.


1998–99 Huddersfield Town A.F.C. season, Review
The team attracted the attention of local businessman Barry Rubery and, after protracted takeover talks, he took over the running of the club promising significant investment as the club sought Premiership status. The takeover rumours had a negative effect on the side and they fell away from the promotion race despite Jackson investing in the likes of Craig Armstrong and Jamie Vincent. A play-off place eventually faded following a horrible end to the season, which saw them win only one of their last 11 matches, although that was a 3–2 win against local rivals Bradford City at Valley Parade.


1998–99 Huddersfield Town A.F.C. season, Review
Jackson was hoping to mount a promotion challenge the following season, but he was suddenly sacked after the end of the season and replaced by former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce, whose first season in management with Sheffield United had brought little success. Jackson declined the role of academy director.


1998–99 Huddersfield Town A.F.C. season, Squad at the end of the season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Hull City A.F.C. season
During the 1998–99 English football season, Hull City A.F.C. competed in the Football League Third Division.


1998–99 Hull City A.F.C. season, Season summary
In November 1998 after a poor start to the season, Mark Hateley departed the club and Warren Joyce was asked to stand in as caretaker manager.


1998–99 Hull City A.F.C. season, Season summary
Hull soon made the appointment permanent with Joyce taking on the dual role of player-manager. At the time of his appointment, the Tigers were rooted to the foot of the Third Division table and looked to be heading out of the Football League – and into bankruptcy. However, under Joyce's stewardship, Hull staged a remarkable turnaround and achieved survival with games to spare; Hull City fans christened this season "the Great Escape".


1998–99 Hull City A.F.C. season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Hull City A.F.C. season, Squad, Left club during the season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 I-Divisioona season
The 1998–99 I-Divisioona season was the 25th season of the I-Divisioona, the second level of Finnish ice hockey. 12 teams participated in the league, and Kärpät Oulu won the championship. The top six teams from the regular season qualified for the promotion/relegation round of the SM-liiga.


1998–99 IHL season
The 1998–99 IHL season was the 54th season of the International Hockey League, a North American minor professional league. 16 teams participated in the regular season, and the Houston Aeros won the Turner Cup.


1998–99 IHL season, Player statistics, Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes


1998–99 IHL season, Player statistics, Leading goaltenders
Note: GP = Games played; Min – Minutes Played; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts


1998–99 IIHF Continental Cup
The Continental Cup 1998–99 was the second edition of the IIHF Continental Cup. The season started on September 18, 1998, and finished on December 29, 1998.


1998–99 IIHF Continental Cup
The tournament was won by HC Ambrì-Piotta, who won the final group.


1998–99 IIHF Continental Cup, First Group Stage, Group M standings
Düsseldorfer EG, HC Liberec, EHC Graz HC Ambrì-Piotta, Torpedo Yaroslavl, HK Neman Grodno     :  bye


1998–99 ISL season
The 1998–99 Ice Hockey Superleague season was the third season of the Ice Hockey Superleague (ISL). Having reached a sponsorship deal with Sekonda, the league was now formally known as the Sekonda Ice Hockey Superleague.


1998–99 ISL season
Basingstoke Bison left the league and joined the British National League. The London Knights were formed and joined the ISL playing out of London Arena. The Newcastle franchise also changed their name from the Newcastle Cobras to the Newcastle Riverkings.


1998–99 ISL season
Losing the Daily Express sponsorship, the Express Cup was renamed the Challenge Cup. The competition was also integrated into the league fixtures with the first round of games between teams (home and away) counting towards the Challenge Cup table and the league table. The league season was therefore increased to forty-two rounds.


1998–99 ISL season, Benson & Hedges Cup
The Benson & Hedges Cup consisted of the teams from the ISL and the top teams from the British National League. In the 1998–99 season, sixteen teams in total were split into four groups (two ISL and two BNL) playing each team in their group once at home and once away. All sixteen teams then progressed to a challenge round of a home and away game with the winners on aggregate progressing. The quarter finals and semi finals were also home and away aggregate rounds with the final being a one off game held at Sheffield Arena.


1998–99 ISL season, Challenge Cup
All eight teams in the league competed in the newly renamed Challenge Cup. The first round was the first home and away meeting of each team in the league with the points counting towards both the Challenge Cup table and the league table. The top four teams progressed to the semi finals. The semi finals were home and away games with the winner on aggregate progressing to the one off final game.


1998–99 ISL season, League
Each team played three home games and three away games against each of their opponents. All eight teams were entered into the playoffs.


1998–99 ISL season, Playoffs
All eight teams in the league took part in the playoffs. Group A consisted of Bracknell, London, Manchester and Sheffield while Group B consisted of Ayr, Cardiff, Newcastle and Nottingham. The top two teams from each playoff group qualified for the finals weekend. The third place playoff was dropped for this season.


1998–99 ISU Junior Grand Prix
The 1998–99 ISU Junior Grand Prix was the second season of the ISU Junior Grand Prix, a series of international junior level competitions organized by the International Skating Union. It was the junior-level complement to the Grand Prix of Figure Skating, which was for senior-level skaters. Skaters competed in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dance. The top skaters from the series met at the Junior Grand Prix Final.


1998–99 ISU Junior Grand Prix, Competitions
The locations of the JGP events change yearly. In the 1998–99 season, the series was composed of the following events:


1998–99 ISU Junior Grand Prix, Junior Grand Prix Final qualifiers
The following skaters qualified for the 1998–99 Junior Grand Prix Final, in order of qualification.


1998–99 ISU Junior Grand Prix, Junior Grand Prix Final qualifiers
There were eight qualifiers in singles and six in pairs and ice dance.


1998–99 ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup
The 1998–99 Short Track Speed Skating World Cup was a multi-race tournament in short track speed skating. The season began on 25 September 1998 and ended on 6 December 1998.


1998–99 Icelandic Hockey League season
The 1998-99 Icelandic Hockey League season was the eighth season of the Icelandic Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Iceland. Three teams participated in the league, and Skautafelag Reykjavikur won the championship.


1998–99 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team
The 1998–99 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team represented the University of Idaho during the 1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Members of the Big West Conference, the Vandals were led by second-year head coach David Farrar and played their home games on campus at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho.


1998–99 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team
The Vandals were 16–10 overall in the regular season and 11–5 in conference play, third in the East division standings. In the regular season finale, Idaho defeated rival Boise State before 7,323 at the Kibbie Dome, the largest home attendance in a decade.


1998–99 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team
They met Long Beach State in the first round of the conference tournament and lost by five points.


1998–99 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team
The 1998–99 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team represented the University of Illinois.


1998–99 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team, Regular season
The Illini closed out the 1998-99 season with an amazing run at the Big Ten Tournament title. After entering the tournament as the 11th-seeded team, Illinois reeled off three straight victories over Top 25-ranked teams before losing in the championship game to second-ranked Michigan State. Illini freshman Cory Bradford was the Big Ten's Freshman of the Year and was also selected to the All-Tournament team.


1998–99 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team
The 1998–99 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team represented Illinois State University during the 1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Redbirds, led by sixth year head coach Kevin Stallings, played their home games at Redbird Arena and competed as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference.


1998–99 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team
They finished the season 16–15, 7–11 in conference play to finish in seventh place. They were the number seven seed for the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. They were victorious over Drake University in their opening round game but defeated by Creighton University in their quarterfinal game.


1998–99 Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team
The 1998–99 Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team represented Indiana University. Their head coach was Bobby Knight, who was in his 28th year. The team played its home games in  Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana, and was a member of the Big Ten Conference.


1998–99 Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team
The Hoosiers finished the regular season with an overall record of 23–11 and a conference record of 9–7, finishing 2nd in the Big Ten Conference. After losing to the Fighting Illini in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament, the Hoosiers were invited to dance in the 1999 NCAA Tournament. However, IU lost in the second round to St. John's, who advanced to the Elite Eight.


1998–99 Indiana Pacers season
The 1998–99 NBA season was the Pacers' 23rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 32nd season as a franchise. The Pacers entered the season as a heavy favorite, because Michael Jordan retired and other members of the Chicago Bulls were broken up by their management. During the offseason, the team signed free agent Sam Perkins, who played in the 1991 NBA Finals with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the 1996 NBA Finals with the Seattle SuperSonics.


1998–99 Indiana Pacers season
After a lockout cut the season to 50 games, the Pacers got off to a 15–5 start, then won their final four games to capture the Central Division title with a record of 33 wins and 17 losses. Reggie Miller led the team in scoring averaging 18.4 points per game, while Rik Smits provided the team with 14.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.


1998–99 Indiana Pacers season
In the playoffs, the Pacers swept the Milwaukee Bucks 3–0 in the Eastern Conference First Round, and the 6th-seeded Philadelphia 76ers 4–0 in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals. The Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive season, and the fourth time in six seasons. Once again, the Pacers were up against the New York Knicks. Despite being the 8th-seeded team in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks upset the Pacers in six games to reach the NBA Finals for the second time in six seasons, where they lost in five games to the San Antonio Spurs. It was also the final season the Pacers played at Market Square Arena, moving to the Conseco Fieldhouse the following season. Also following the season, Antonio Davis was traded to the Toronto Raptors.


1998–99 Indiana Pacers season
For the season, the Pacers added gold pinstripe alternate road uniforms with navy blue side panels, which lasted until 2005.


1998–99 Inter Milan season
The 1998–99 Inter Milan season was the club's 90th in existence and 83th consecutive season in Serie A, the top flight of Italian football.


1998–99 Inter Milan season, Season
Inter continued its increasingly frustrating run without the league title, which was extended to ten years following a chaotic season. Head coach Luigi Simoni was fired when the side did not perform to the expected level, and the season saw a further three coaches trying to tame Inter without any success. Despite the chaos, the side managed to reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where it lost to eventual champions Manchester United.


1998–99 Inter Milan season, Season
Another worry was the injury problems affecting star striker Ronaldo, who only played in 19 of the 34 league matches (although in those 19 games he scored 14 goals).


1998–99 Inter Milan season, Season
After the season, Inter signed Christian Vieri from Lazio for a world-record transfer fee of £32 million to help with goalscoring, while successful ex-Juventus coach Marcello Lippi was appointed in the hope he could end Inter's title drought.


1998–99 Inter Milan season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. season
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. competed in the Scottish Second Division in season 1998–99 and the Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup.


1998–99 Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team
The 1998–99 Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team represented the University of Iowa as members of the Big Ten Conference. The team was led by head coach Tom Davis, coaching in his 13th and final season at the school, and played their home games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. They finished the season 20–10 overall and 9–7 in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as #5 seed in the West Region, losing in the Sweet Sixteen to the eventual National Champion UConn Huskies.


1998–99 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team
The 1998–99 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team represents Iowa State University during the 1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Cyclones were coached by Larry Eustachy, who was in his 1st season. They played their home games at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa and competed in the Big 12 Conference.


1998–99 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team
At the conclusion of the season Head Coach Tim Floyd accepted the same position with the Chicago Bulls of the NBA. Iowa State hired Utah State Head Coach Larry Eustachy to replace him.


1998–99 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team
They finished the season 15–15, 6–10 in Big 12 play to finish in 9th place. They lost to Colorado in the first round of the Big 12 Conference Tournament.


1998–99 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team, Previous season
They finished the season 12–18, 5–11 in Big 12 play to finish in 11th place. They lost to Missouri in the first round of the Big 12 Conference Tournament.


1998–99 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team, Previous season
The Cyclones saw individual success with Marcus Fizer being named a Freshman All-American by Basketball Times, Big 12 Freshman of the Year, and Big 12 Freshman of the Week four times.


1998–99 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team, Previous season
After several seasons of courting the Chicago Bulls of the NBA hired Iowa State's Tim Floyd to replace Phil Jackson as head coach. Iowa State hired Utah State Head Coach Larry Eustachy to replace him.


1998–99 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team, Previous season, Offseason departures
Despite transferring into the program as sharp-shooters from junior colleges the previous year, both Delvin Washington and Jerry Curry transferred out after a single season citing lack of playing time from poor shooting.


1998–99 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team, Previous season, Offseason departures
After only playing four games during the 1997-98 season Lamont Sides transferred to Allegany College in Maryland.


1998–99 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team, Previous season, Offseason departures
Even though Andy Stensrud originally came to Iowa State on a basketball team he left the team after the 1997–98 season to join the football team. After four years of football he would go on to play in the NFL.


1998–99 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team, Presesaon
Paul Shirley had a stress fracture in the off-season and had to sit out the 1998–99 season with a red-shirt.


1998–99 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team, Presesaon
Iowa State signed West Virginia Wesleyan transfer Dewayne Johns in the off season. He struggled with the adjustment to student-athlete life and was kicked off the team during exhibition play.


1998–99 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team, Presesaon
Kantrail Horton transferred into the program mid-season from Middle Georgia JC but coach Eustacy elected to have him red-shirt to preserve his full two years of eligibility.


1998–99 Ipswich Town F.C. season
During the 1998–99 English football season, Ipswich Town competed in the Football League First Division.


1998–99 Ipswich Town F.C. season, Season summary
In the 1998–99 season, Ipswich fans felt it would be third time lucky in the play-offs for the Tractor Boys. However the team once again lost on away goals to Bolton Wanderers.


1998–99 Ipswich Town F.C. season, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Ipswich Town F.C. season, First-team squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Ipswich Town F.C. season, First-team squad, Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Iraklis F.C. season
The 1999–2000 season was Iraklis' 18th straight season on the Greek first tier. Managing a lower league finish than the previous season, their biggest feat was reaching the domestic cup semi-final.


1998–99 Iran 2nd Division
The 1998–99 Iran 2nd Division football season was played in four groups of nine teams each. The top two teams from each group Promoted second round, and  in second round  top two each group promoted play-off and in play-off (Bahman and Irsotter  Noshahr) gained promotion to the Azadegan League.


1998–99 Iran 2nd Division, Final
(Irsotter  Noshahr did not show up, Bahman awarded championship 1998/99)


1998–99 Iranian Basketball Super League
The following is the final results of the Iran Super League 1998/1999 basketball season. This season is the 1st season since the establishment of the Iran Super League.


1998–99 Iranian Volleyball Super League
The following is the final results of the Iranian Volleyball Super League (Velayat Cup) 1998/99 season.


1998–99 Iraq FA Cup
The 1998–99 Iraq FA Cup was the 23rd edition of the Iraq FA Cup. The tournament was won by Al-Zawraa for the second time in a row and for the 13th time in their history, beating Al-Talaba 1–0 after extra time in the final with a golden goal by Mohamed Jassim. Al-Zawraa also won the 1998–99 Iraqi Premier League to complete the double.


1998–99 Iraq FA Cup
On 14 December 1998, Al-Shorta broke the record for the most goals scored in a single half of a match in Iraqi football, putting 10 goals past Al-Bahri in the first 45 minutes as the game ended 10–1. Hashim Ridha and Arkan Mahmoud both scored hat-tricks while Younis Abid Ali scored a brace and Abdul-Hussein Jawad and Qais Issa scored one each. Hashim Ridha's total of 14 goals in the competition is a record for the most goals scored by a player in an Iraq FA Cup tournament.


1998–99 Iraqi Premier League
The 1998–99 Iraqi Premier League was the 25th season of the competition since its foundation in 1974. The league title was won by Al-Zawraa for the eighth time in their history. Had Al-Talaba beaten Al-Naft on the last day of the season, they would have won the league title instead, but the match finished goalless and Al-Zawraa's 3–1 win over Al-Karkh saw them claim the trophy. Al-Zawraa also won the Iraq FA Cup to complete the double.


1998–99 Irish Cup
The 1998–99 Irish Cup was the 119th edition of Northern Ireland's premier football knock-out cup competition. The last match was played on 20 April 1999. The final did not take place this year, for only the third time in the competition's history.


1998–99 Irish Cup
Glentoran were the defending champions after winning their 17th Irish Cup last season, with a 1–0 win over Glenavon in the 1998 final. This season they reached the sixth round, where they were defeated 2–1 by Cliftonville.


1998–99 Irish Cup
Portadown won the cup for the second time, after Cliftonville were disqualified from the competition for fielding an ineligible player in the semi-final replay against Linfield. Linfield were not permitted to replace Cliftonville in the final, so Portadown were awarded the cup without the final being played.


1998–99 Irish Cup, Final
On 29 April 1999, Cliftonville were disqualified from the competition for fielding an ineligible player in the semi-final replay against Linfield. The player in question had played for a junior club in an earlier round and was therefore ineligible. However, Linfield's protest came more than 48 hours after the tie (the usual deadline for protests), and as a result the IFA did not allow them to take Cliftonville's place in the final. Portadown were therefore awarded the cup without the final taking place.


1998–99 Irish League
The Irish League in season 1998–99 comprised two divisions, one of 10 teams and one of 8, and Glentoran won the championship.


1998–99 Irish League Cup
The 1998–99 Irish League Cup (known as the Coca-Cola League Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 13th edition of Northern Ireland's secondary football knock-out cup competition. It concluded on 4 May 1999 with the final.


1998–99 Irish League Cup
Linfield were the defending champions after their fourth League Cup win last season; a 1–0 victory over Glentoran in the previous final. This season they became the first club ever to successfully defend the trophy. In a repeat of the previous final, Linfield once again came out on top with a 2–1 victory against Glentoran in the final, lifting the cup for the fifth time and condemning the Glens to defeat in the final for the third season running, which is a record for successive final defeats in the competition that still stands.


1998–99 Irish League Cup
The competition was re-structured this season, allowing only the 10 top-flight clubs and the 8 second-tier clubs to enter. This reduced the number of clubs taking part from 32 down to 18.


1998–99 Israel State Cup
The 1998–99 Israel State Cup (Hebrew: גביע המדינה, Gvia HaMedina) was the 60th season of Israel's nationwide football cup competition and the 45th after the Israeli Declaration of Independence.


1998–99 Israel State Cup
The competition was won by Hapoel Tel Aviv who had beaten Beitar Jerusalem 3–1 on penalties after 1–1 in the final.


1998–99 Israel State Cup
By winning, Hapoel Tel Aviv qualified to the 1999–2000 UEFA Cup, entering in the qualifying round.


1998–99 Israeli Hockey League season
The 1998–99 Israeli Hockey League season was the eighth season of Israel's hockey league. Four teams participated in the league, and HC Metulla won the championship.


1998–99 Isthmian League
The 1998–99 season was the 84th season of the Isthmian League, which is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from London, East and South East England. The league consisted of four divisions.


1998–99 Isthmian League, Premier Division
The Premier Division consisted of 22 clubs, including 18 clubs from the previous season and four new clubs:


1998–99 Isthmian League, Premier Division
Sutton United won the division and were promoted to the Football Conference. Bishop's Stortford and Bromley finished bottom of the table and relegated to Division One, while Carshalton Athletic were reprieved after Wealdstone, finished third in Division One, were refused promotion due to ground grading.


1998–99 Isthmian League, Premier Division
At the end of the season Hampton changed name into Hampton & Richmond Borough.


1998–99 Isthmian League, Division One
Division One consisted of 22 clubs, including 16 clubs from the previous season and six new clubs:


1998–99 Isthmian League, Division One
Canvey Island won the division to get a second consecutive promotion. Hitchin Town finished second and returned to the Premier Division at the first attempt, while Wealdtone, finished third, were refused promotion due to ground grading. Molesey, Wembley and Berkhamsted Town relegated to Division Two.


1998–99 Isthmian League, Division Two
Division Two consisted of 22 clubs, including 16 clubs from the previous season and six new clubs:


1998–99 Isthmian League, Division Two
Bedford Town won the division and were promoted to Division One along with Harlow Town, who achieved a second consecutive promotion and Thame United, who returned to Division One after the relegation. Hertford Town relegated back to Division Three along with Bracknell Town and Abingdon Town, who get a second consecutive relegation.


1998–99 Isthmian League, Division Three
Division Three consisted of 20 clubs, including 17 clubs from the previous season and three new clubs:


1998–99 Isthmian League, Division Three
Ford United won the division and were promoted along with Wingate & Finchley and Cheshunt, who returned straight after the relegation from Division Two.


1998–99 Isthmian League, Cup Competitions
The results from the finals of the league's three cup competitions:


1998–99 Isthmian League, Cup Competitions
Ryman League Cup: The league's premier cup competition, with clubs from all four divisions competing.


1998–99 Isthmian League, Cup Competitions
Puma Full Members Cup: Featuring teams from the top two divisions.


1998–99 Japan Figure Skating Championships
The 1998–99 Japan Figure Skating Championships were the 67th edition of the event. They were held on January 15–17, 1999 in Yokohama. National Champions were crowned in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, and ice dancing. As well as crowning the national champions of Japan for the 1998–99 season, the results of this competition were used to help pick the teams for the 1999 World Championships and the 1999 Four Continents Championships.


1998–99 Japan Ice Hockey League season
The 1998–99 Japan Ice Hockey League season was the 33rd season of the Japan Ice Hockey League. Six teams participated in the league, and Kokudo Ice Hockey Club won the championship.


1998–99 Juventus F.C. season
The 1998–99 season was Juventus Football Club's 101st in existence and 97th consecutive season in the top flight of Italian football.


1998–99 Juventus F.C. season, Season summary
Juventus endured its worst domestic season since 1990–91, superstar Alessandro Del Piero on 8 November 1998, picked up a serious knee injury in the final minutes of a 2–2 draw with Udinese; and a backlash for France's World Cup hero Zinedine Zidane. After winning the World Cup with France last July Zidane promptly injured a knee and in November brought another injury. Contrary to the previous four seasons under the guidance of Marcello Lippi, Juventus' offense malfunctioned. In December, Lippi announced his departure in June to manage Inter the next season and in February Lippi was let go by the club, with successful former Parma coach Carlo Ancelotti taking over.


1998–99 Juventus F.C. season, Season summary
With Ancelotti at the helm, Juve managed to salvage some respectability by reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League, then, playmaker Zidane limped off at half-time in Juventus's draw at home to Bologna on 12 April 1999, just before the second leg against eventual champions Manchester United defeating Juventus 3-2 at Delle Alpi.


1998–99 Juventus F.C. season, Season summary
The knee had been troubling him for a month where eventual champions Manchester United just got the better of the Italian champions. But following that narrow defeat, Juventus had to settle for the UEFA Cup the next season, due to a lowly seventh place in the league.


1998–99 Juventus F.C. season, Players, Squad information
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 KBL season
The Hyundai Gulliver 1998–99 Professional Basketball season was the third season of the Korean Basketball League.


1998–99 KNVB Cup
The 81st edition of the KNVB Cup (at the time called Amstel Cup) started on August 11, 1998. The final was played on May 13, 1999: Ajax beat Fortuna Sittard  2–0 and won the cup for the fourteenth time. A total of 61 clubs participated.


1998–99 KNVB Cup, Group stage
The matches of the group stage were played between August 11 and September 2, 1998. 55 clubs participated, 26 advanced to the next round.


1998–99 KNVB Cup, Knock-out Stage, First round
The matches of the first round were played on October 27, 28 and 29, 1998. The six highest ranked Eredivisie teams from last season entered the tournament this round.


1998–99 KNVB Cup, Knock-out Stage, Round of 16
The matches of the round of 16 were played on February 2, 3 and 4, 1999.


1998–99 KNVB Cup, Knock-out Stage, Quarter finals
The quarter finals were played on March 9 and 10, 1999.


1998–99 KNVB Cup, Knock-out Stage, Semi-finals
The semi-finals were played on April 13 and 14, 1999.


1998–99 KNVB Cup, Knock-out Stage, Final
The Cup Winners' Cup tournament no longer existed, Ajax would now play in the UEFA Cup.


1998–99 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team
The 1998–99 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team represented the University of Kansas in the 1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, which was the Jayhawks' 101st basketball season. The head coach was Roy Williams, who served his 11th year at KU. The team played its home games in Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas.


1998–99 Karnataka State Film Awards
The Karnataka State Film Awards 1998–99, presented by Government of Karnataka, to felicitate the best of Kannada Cinema released in the year 1998.


1998–99 Kategoria e Dytë
The 1998–99 Kategoria e Dytë was the 52nd season of a second-tier association football league in Albania.


1998–99 Kazakhstan Cup
The 1998–99 Kazakhstan Cup is the 7th season of the Kazakhstan Cup, the annual nationwide football cup competition of Kazakhstan since the independence of the country. The competition begins on 6 May 1998, and will end with the final in Jule 1999. Irtysh are the defending champions, having won their first cup in the 1997-98 competition.


1998–99 Kazakhstan Hockey Championship
The 1998–99 Kazakhstan Hockey Championship was the seventh season of the Kazakhstan Hockey Championship, the top level of ice hockey in Kazakhstan. Four teams participated in the league, and Bulat Temirtau won the championship.


1998–99 Kent Football League
The 1998–99 Kent Football League season was the 33rd in the history of Kent Football League a football competition in England.


1998–99 Kent Football League, Clubs
The league featured 19 clubs which competed in the previous season, no new clubs joined the league this season.


1998–99 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team
The 1998–99 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team represented University of Kentucky in the 1998-99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The head coach was Tubby Smith and the team finished the season with an overall record of 28–9.


1998–99 Kilmarnock F.C. season
The 1998–99 season was Kilmarnock's first season in the newly formed Scottish Premier League. They also competed in the Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup and UEFA Cup.


1998–99 Kilmarnock F.C. season, Summary, Season
Kilmarnock finished fourth in the Scottish Premier League with 56 points. They reached the fourth round of the League Cup, losing to Airdrieonians. Kilmarnock also reached the third round of the Scottish Cup, losing to rivals Ayr United and lost in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup to Sigma Olomouc.


1998–99 Kuwaiti Premier League, Overview
It was contested by 14 teams, and Al Qadisiya Kuwait won the championship.


1998–99 LEB season
The 1998–1999 LEB season was the third season of the Liga Española de Baloncesto, second tier of the Spanish basketball.


1998–99 LEB season, LEB Playoffs
The two winners of the semifinals are promoted to Liga ACB.


1998–99 LEB season, Relegation playoffs, Relegation system
There were not directly relegations of the last qualified teams in the league. If a team is between the two last teams during three seasons, losses its berth.


1998–99 LEN Champions League
The 1998–99 LEN Champions League was the 36th edition of LEN's premier competition for men's water polo clubs. It ran from  1998 to 5 June 1999, and it was contested by 16 teams. The Final Four (semifinals, final, and third place game) took place on June 4 and June 5 in Naples.


1998–99 La Liga
The 1998–99 La Liga season, the 68th since its establishment, started on 29 August 1998 and finished on 20 June 1999.


1998–99 La Liga, Awards, Pichichi Trophy
The Pichichi Trophy is awarded to the player who scores the most goals in a season.


1998–99 La Liga, Awards, Zamora Trophy
The Zamora Trophy is awarded to the goalkeeper with least goals to games ratio.


1998–99 La Liga, Awards, Fair Play award
From this season, RFEF develops and publishes annually the Fair Play classification according to the Points System which was agreed by the board of the federation on 30 October 1998 and later expanded and fixed at another meeting and published in the 2nd Mailshot of the 2000–01 season. The classification for this season was computed from the Second legg, in order to experience results.


1998–99 Latvian Hockey League season
The 1998–99 Latvian Hockey League season was the eighth season of the Latvian Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Latvia. Seven teams participated in the league, and HK Nik's Brih Riga won the championship.


1998–99 League of Ireland First Division
The 1998–99 League of Ireland First Division season was the 14th season of the League of Ireland First Division.


1998–99 League of Ireland First Division, Overview
The First Division was contested by 10 teams and Drogheda United F.C. won the division.


1998–99 League of Ireland First Division, Promotion/Relegation Play-off
Third placed Cobh Ramblers F.C. played off against Bohemians who finished in tenth place in the 1998–99 League of Ireland Premier Division. The winner would compete in the 1999–2000 League of Ireland Premier Division.


1998–99 League of Ireland First Division, Promotion/Relegation Play-off, 2nd Leg
Bohemians won 7–0 on aggregate and retained their place in the Premier Division.


1998–99 League of Ireland Premier Division
The 1998–99 League of Ireland Premier Division was the 14th season of the League of Ireland Premier Division. The division was made up of 12 teams. St Patrick's Athletic F.C. won the title. For sponsorship purposes, it was known as the FAI Harp Lager National League.


1998–99 League of Ireland Premier Division, Regular season
The season saw each team playing three rounds of games, playing every other team three times, totalling 33 games.


1998–99 League of Ireland Premier Division, Promotion/Relegation Play-off
Bohemians who finished in tenth place played off against Cobh Ramblers, the third placed team from the 1998–99 League of Ireland First Division.


1998–99 League of Ireland Premier Division, Promotion/Relegation Play-off
Bohemians won 7–0 on aggregate and retained their place in the Premier Division.


1998–99 League of Wales
The 1998–99 League of Wales was the seventh season of the League of Wales, the top division of Welsh football. It began on 22 August 1998 and ended on 1 May 1999. The league was won for a record fourth consecutive season by Barry Town.


1998–99 League of Wales
Just 17 clubs competed in the league this season, as the 18th club Ebbw Vale (who had finished third the previous season) were expelled from the league before the season began due to financial difficulties, and promptly went out of business.


1998–99 Leeds United A.F.C. season
During the 1998–99 season, Leeds United competed in the Premier League (known as the FA Carling Premiership for sponsorship reasons).


1998–99 Leeds United A.F.C. season, Season summary
Leeds were expected to progress once more under manager George Graham after the former Arsenal manager guided Leeds to 5th place in his first full season in charge. Graham had added to his squad, signing defender Danny Granville and Dutch striker Clyde Winjard. After just 4 games Leeds went to top of the Premiership for the first time in their history. But rumours began to spread of George Graham taking the Tottenham job after Spurs had sacked Christian Gross, the saga dragged on when finally after a UEFA cup game against Maritimo of Portugal, Graham indeed left Leeds for Tottenham.


1998–99 Leeds United A.F.C. season, Season summary
Graham's assistant David O'Leary took charge as Leeds attempted to court Leicester boss Martin O'Neil, who eventually refused. But United's performances on the pitch began improving -despite only drawing several games, many teenage players were given debuts by O'Leary and put in great performances, such as the game against Italian giants Roma in the UEFA cup (although Leeds were knocked out). Needless to say, O'Leary was appointed manager in time for the game against Derby which ended 2–2. Leeds then began winning regularly, playing impressive attacking football.


1998–99 Leeds United A.F.C. season, Season summary
They had several talented youngsters, including goal keeper Paul Robinson, defenders Ian Harte and Johnathan Woodgate, mid fielders Lee Bowyer (who was signed from Charlton 2 seasons before) and Stephen McPhail, as well as strikers Alan Smith and Harry Kewell. But David O'Leary was eager to bring in experienced players to add to this young team, and signed David Batty from Newcastle. Batty was a key player in the Leeds side that won the old Division 1 title in 1992 and a fan favourite.


1998–99 Leeds United A.F.C. season, Season summary
In the run up to Christmas, Leeds were almost in contention for a shot at the title, but suffered back to back losses against Southampton and Newcastle in the new year. This ended any league-winning hopes, and they were also knocked out of the FA cup. Despite this, Leeds ended the season in red hot form, setting a record of 7 straight wins and a 1–0 victory over Arsenal, costing the gunners the title race. Leeds finished an impressive 4th place in the league – their highest finish yet. With this achievement, and with one of the most exiting young squads in the country, the future certainly looked bright for United.


1998–99 Leeds United A.F.C. season, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Leeds United A.F.C. season, First-team squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Leeds United A.F.C. season, First-team squad, Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Leicester City F.C. season
During the 1998–99 English football season, Leicester City competed in the FA Premier League (known as the FA Carling Premiership for sponsorship reasons).


1998–99 Leicester City F.C. season, Season summary
Leicester City repeated the previous season's 10th place in the Premiership, earning Martin O'Neill more credit for achieving strong finishes on a relatively limited budget. But the club's best chance of a UEFA Cup place was blown in late March when they lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the Worthington Cup final. At least City fans had the satisfaction of holding on to the highly rated O'Neill, who had seemed certain to desert the club for Leeds United early in the season.


1998–99 Leicester City F.C. season, Kit
Leicester's season's kit was manufactured by Fox Leisure and their shirt was sponsored by the British food snack manufacturer Walkers Crisps.


1998–99 Leicester City F.C. season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Leicester City F.C. season, Squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Leicester City F.C. season, Squad, Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Libyan Premier League
Following are the statistics of the Libyan Premier League for the 1998–99 season. The Libyan Premier League (Arabic: دوري الدرجة الأولى الليبي) is the highest division of Libyan football championship, organised by Libyan Football Federation. It was founded in 1963 and features mostly professional players.


1998–99 Libyan Premier League, Overview
It was contested by 16 teams, and Al Mahalah Tripoli won the championship.


1998–99 Liechtenstein Cup
The 1998–99 Liechtenstein Cup was the fifty-fourth season of Liechtenstein's annual cup competition. Seven clubs competed with a total of sixteen teams for one spot in the qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. Defending champions were FC Vaduz, who have won the cup continuously since the previous season.


1998–99 Liga Alef
The 1998–99 Liga Alef season was held between 11 September 1998 and 29 May 1999. It was the last season (until 2009–10) in which Liga Alef was the third tier of Israeli football, as the creation of the Israeli Premier League in the summer of 1999 meant that it became the fourth tier.


1998–99 Liga Alef
Due to the restructuring, two clubs were due to be promoted from each division; Hapoel Ra'anana and Hapoel Nazareth Illit from the north and Hapoel Dimona and Hapoel Ramat Gan from the south.


1998–99 Liga Alef
During the summer of 1999, Maccabi Jaffa were demoted to Liga Alef (from Liga Leumit) after their budget was not approved by the Israel Football Association, which resulted in Maccabi Sha'arayim (the third-placed club with the highest points total) being promoted alongside the top two from the South Division. In addition, Hapoel Ashdod, Hapoel Lod and SK Nes Tziona were all demoted from Liga Artzit after their budgets were not approved by the IFA. This resulted in the third- and fourth-placed clubs from the North Division (Hapoel Iksal and Hapoel Acre) and the fourth-placed club in the South Division (Shimshon Tel Aviv) also being promoted.


1998–99 Liga Artzit
The 1998–99 Liga Artzit season was the last in which the league was the Israel's second tier, as at the end of the season the Israeli Premier League came into existence, replacing Liga Leumit as the country's top division. As a result, for the 1999–2000 season Liga Leumit became the second division and Liga Artzit became the third division.


1998–99 Liga Artzit
Due to the restructuring, only one club, Maccabi Netanya, was promoted to the top division (which was reduced from 16 to 14 clubs). At the other end of the table, eight clubs were due to be relegated as the second division was reduced to 10 clubs. However, Bnei Sakhnin, who had finished eighth from bottom, were reprieved from relegation as Maccabi Jaffa, who had finished bottom of the top division, were relegated three levels to Liga Alef due to their budget not being approved by the Israel Football Association.


1998–99 Liga Artzit
Although the bottom eight were due to be relegated to the third tier for the 1999–2000 season, three of them (Hapoel Ashdod, Hapoel Lod and SK Nes Tziona) were relegated two levels as like Maccabi Jaffa, their budgets for the 1999–2000 season were not approved by the IFA.


1998–99 Liga Bet
The 1998–99 Liga Bet season saw Hapoel Hurfeish (champions of the North A division), Maccabi Hadera (champions of the North B division), Hapoel Kiryat Ono (champions of the South A division) and A.S. Ramat Eliyahu (champions of the South B division) win the title. The four clubs were placed in Liga Alef, which became the fourth tier upon the creation of the Israeli Premier League.


1998–99 Liga Bet
At the bottom, Hapoel Karmiel, Beitar Tiberias, Hapoel Bu'eine (from North A division), Hapoel Ilut, Maccabi Umm al-Fahm (from North B division), Maccabi Qalansawe, Hapoel Tel Mond, Maccabi Holon (from South A division) and Beitar Beit Shemesh (from South B division) were all placed in Liga Gimel, which became the sixth tier.


1998–99 Liga Bet
The rest of the clubs remained in Liga Bet, which became the fifth tier of the Israeli football league system.


1998–99 Liga Femenina de Baloncesto
The 1998-99 Liga Femenina de Baloncesto was the 36th edition of Spain's premier championship for women's basketball clubs. It marked the competition's expansion from 12 to 14 teams. Celta de Vigo defeated CB Halcón Avenida in the play-offs' final to win its fourth title 17 years later. CD Ensino and CB Sandra Islas Canarias were the regular stage's champion and runner-up respectively, also qualifying for the championship play-offs. On the other hand, CB Navarra and Canal Isabel II CD were relegated as the two bottom teams.


1998–99 Liga Indonesia Premier Division
The 1998–99 Liga Indonesia Premier Division was the fifth season of the Liga Indonesia Premier Division, the top division of Indonesian football. The season began on 1 November 1998 and ended on 9 April 1999. The league was made up of 28 clubs. PSIS won the title after beating the defending champions, Persebaya 1–0 in the final.


1998–99 Liga Indonesia Premier Division, Teams, Team changes
The number of teams dropped from 31 to 28 this season.


1998–99 Liga Indonesia Premier Division, First stage, West Division, Relegation play-offs
4–4 on aggregate. Persiraja won on away goals and retained their spot in the Premier Division, Persita were relegated.


1998–99 Liga Indonesia Premier Division, First stage, Central Division, Relegation play-offs
Gelora Dewata won 7–5 on aggregate and retained their spot in the Premier Division, Persikabo were relegated.


1998–99 Liga Indonesia Premier Division, Awards, Top scorer
The following is a list of the top scorers from the 1998-99 season.


1998–99 Liga Leumit
The 1998–99  Liga Leumit season began on 22 August 1998 and ended on 29 May 1999, with Hapoel Haifa winning their first championship title ever.


1998–99 Liga Leumit
That season had two rounds, each team played the other teams twice. The three teams that were relegated to Liga Artzit were:  Hapoel Tzafririm Holon, Hapoel Beit She'an and Maccabi Jaffa.


1998–99 Liga Leumit
Two team from Liga Artzit were promoted at the end of the previous season: Hapoel Tzafririm Holon and Maccabi Jaffa. The two teams relegated were: Hapoel Ashkelon and Hapoel Be'er Sheva.


1998–99 Liga Nacional de Fútbol Femenino
The 1998–99 Liga Nacional de Fútbol Femenino was the 12th season of the Spanish women's football first division. Irex Puebla won its first title.


1998–99 Liga Nacional de Fútbol Femenino, Competition format
Teams were divided into four groups of 14 teams each one. The four group winners would qualify to the Final Four for deciding the league champion.


1998–99 Liga Nacional de Fútbol Femenino, Final four
The Final Four was played on 21 May and 23 May 1999


1998–99 Liga Nacional de Hockey Hielo season
The 1998–99 Superliga Espanola de Hockey Hielo season was the 25th season of the Superliga Espanola de Hockey Hielo, the top level of ice hockey in Spain. Six teams participated in the league, and CH Txuri Urdin won the championship.


1998–99 Ligat Nashim
The 1998–99 Ligat Nashim was the inaugural season of women's league football under the Israeli Football Association. The league was won by Maccabi Haifa, followed by Hapoel Tel Aviv, ASA Tel Aviv University and Maccabi Tel Aviv.


1998–99 Lithuanian Hockey League season
The 1998–99 Lithuanian Hockey League season was the eighth season of the Lithuanian Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Lithuania. Five teams participated in the league, and SC Energija won the championship. SC Energija received a bye until the finals, as they played in the Eastern European Hockey League.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season
The 1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season was the 107th season in the club's existence, and their 37th consecutive year in the top-flight of English football. In addition to the Premier League, the club also competed in the FA Cup, League Cup, and the UEFA Cup.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season
This season covered the period of 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Season overview
The appointment of former France national team head coach Gérard Houllier as joint manager alongside Roy Evans was seen as Liverpool's best chance of making a title challenge, but Evans did not enjoy the partnership and resigned in November to leave Houllier in sole charge.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Season overview
Despite Michael Owen's brilliant form, Liverpool were unable to mount anything like a title challenge and seemed to be a side in transition following the appointment of their new head coach and adapting to a new style, which saw new signing Rigobert Song arrive and the likes of Jason McAteer and Rob Jones leave, along with the club's longest serving player Steve Harkness, who joined Benfica on 7 March 1999 after almost ten years at Anfield.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Season overview
By January, the side was reshuffled but the failure of the club to retain the services of Steve McManaman, transferred to Real Madrid at the end of the season in a deal labelled as the Bosman scandal of the season, hurt the club financially. Performance wise, their seventh-place finish was not enough to attain even a UEFA Cup place, as well as being the club's lowest finish in five years.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Season overview
The season had not started poorly, with a 2–1 win at Southampton followed by a 0–0 draw at home to the previous season's double winners Arsenal and an impressive 4–1 away win over Newcastle United just days after the Tynesiders had sacked former Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish. September began with a 2–0 win over Coventry City which saw the Reds top the table after four matches, level on points with Aston Villa, while title favourites Arsenal and Manchester United were fifth and ninth respectively.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Season overview
However, Liverpool's lead of the Premier League was lost in their fifth match after they lost 2–1 at West Ham United. They travelled to Old Trafford for an encounter with fierce rivals Manchester United on 24 September, but lost 2–0. They were now fourth in the league, while United were third, unfancied Derby County were second and Aston Villa now led the league.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Season overview
15 September saw the beginning of the club's UEFA Cup campaign, where they defeated Slovakian side Košice 3–0 away in Košice. A comprehensive 5–0 win in the second leg booked Liverpool's place in the next round.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Season overview
October was a mixed month for the Reds, who crushed Nottingham Forest 5–1 in the Premier League at Anfield but were held to draws by Chelsea and Everton and ended the month with a 1–0 defeat at Leicester City which saw them still restricted to fourth place. However, they were now six points behind leaders Aston Villa – who had a game in hand – and more than a quarter of the league season had now passed. Manchester United were now one point off the top, while Arsenal had re-emerged as contenders for the title they had won the previous season, now occupying third place. Derby County's challenge had fallen away as they slipped to mid-table.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Season overview
There was positive news on the European scene that late autumn as they edged past Valencia on away goals in the UEFA Cup second round.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Season overview
Liverpool's League Cup quest began well with a 3–1 home win over Division Two leaders Fulham in the third round, but ended in the next round with a 3–1 home defeat to a Tottenham Hotspur side who were recovering well from their dismal start to the season since the appointment of George Graham as manager. The first half of November was a disaster for the Reds, who lost at home to both Derby County and Leeds United. However, the month ended on a higher note as wins over Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers lifted them back up to eighth place.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Season overview
Liverpool's dreams of European glory were ended on 8 December 1998 when they suffered a hefty defeat to Celta Vigo in the UEFA Cup third round. The Reds had stuttered in the league early in the month and a 1–0 defeat at Wimbledon on 13 December saw them occupy 12th place in the league. However, three straight wins saw them rise to seventh by the end of the year.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Season overview
By the dawn of the new year, Liverpool's last hope of silverware was in the FA Cup. They had an easy start in the competition, travelling to Vale Park for a third round tie with Division One strugglers Port Vale, coming away 3–0 winners. However, their hopes of glory ended in the fourth round when they surrendered a 1–0 lead in the dying minutes to lose 2–1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Season overview
Their dismal league form that month saw them draw 0–0 at Arsenal and lose 2–1 at Coventry City, though they had some wry consolation in the form of a 7–1 hammering of strugglers Southampton at Anfield, in a match that saw Robbie Fowler score his 100th Premier League goal. They were now sixth in the league, now being led by Chelsea, who were eight points ahead of them with a game in hand.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Season overview
Spring brought a similar pattern of results, and by 21 April, they had slid down to tenth place in the league with even their UEFA Cup qualification hopes looking slim. They needed a good run of results to even finish eighth, the lowest position they had finished in since their current spell as a top flight club began in 1962.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Season overview
Wins over Blackburn and Tottenham kept the Reds in contention for European qualification with three matches to play, but a draw at home to Manchester United and a defeat at Sheffield Wednesday meant a 3–0 home win over Wimbledon on the final day of the season was not enough for anything higher than seventh place, meaning the 1999–2000 season would be Liverpool's first season in five years without European football.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season, Players, Reserves
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 Livingston F.C. season
Season 1998-99 saw Livingston compete in the Scottish Second Division. They also competed in the League Cup and the Scottish Cup.


1998–99 Livingston F.C. season, Summary
Livingston won the Scottish Second Division and were promoted. They reached the 3rd round of the league cup and the 4th round of the Scottish Cup.


1998–99 Logan Cup
The 1998–99 Logan Cup was a first-class cricket competition held in Zimbabwe from 5 January 1999 – 21 January 1999. It was won by Matabeleland, who were the only team to complete two matches, winning one and drawing the other, to top the table.


1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers season
The 1998–99 NBA season was the Clippers' 29th season in the National Basketball Association, and their 15th season in Los Angeles. This was also the final season where the team played at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, and played occasional home games at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim. The Clippers won the Draft Lottery selecting Michael Olowokandi out of Pacific University with the first overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft, and signed free agents Sherman Douglas, second-year guard Troy Hudson, and undrafted rookie forward Tyrone Nesby in the off-season.


1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers season
However, the Clippers still struggled in a lockout-shortened season cut to 50 games under new head coach Chris Ford, losing their first 17 games of the season, tying the 1988–89 Miami Heat for the then-worst start in NBA history (later on broken by the 2009–10 New Jersey Nets, who lost their first 18 games of the season). The team lost 30 of their first 33 games, then lost their final six games, finishing last place in the Pacific Division with a 9–41 record.


1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers season
Second-year forward Maurice Taylor led the team in scoring with 16.8 points per game, while Olowokandi averaged 8.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Following the season, Lamond Murray was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Rodney Rogers signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Suns, Lorenzen Wright was dealt to the Atlanta Hawks, Douglas re-signed with the New Jersey Nets, Darrick Martin signed with the Sacramento Kings, and Pooh Richardson was released to free agency.


1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers season, Transactions
The Clippers have been involved in the following transactions during the 1998-1999 season.


1998–99 Los Angeles Kings season
The 1998–99 Los Angeles Kings season was the Kings' 32nd season in the National Hockey League (NHL). This was the team's final season at the Great Western Forum before moving to the Staples Center for the 1999–2000 season.


1998–99 Los Angeles Kings season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.


1998–99 Los Angeles Kings season, Regular season, Final standings
Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific, NW – Northwest


1998–99 Los Angeles Kings season, Regular season, Final standings
bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy; y – Won division


1998–99 Los Angeles Kings season, Playoffs
The Kings did not qualify for the 1999 playoffs, despite qualifying the previous year.


1998–99 Los Angeles Kings season, Transactions
The Kings were involved in the following transactions during the 1998–99 season.


1998–99 Los Angeles Kings season, Draft picks
Los Angeles's draft picks at the 1998 NHL Entry Draft held at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York.


1998–99 Los Angeles Lakers season
The 1998–99 NBA season was the Lakers' 51st season in the National Basketball Association, and 39th in the city of Los Angeles. It was also the Lakers' final season at the Great Western Forum. During the offseason, the Lakers signed free agent Derek Harper. The Lakers played around .500 with a 6–6 start as head coach Del Harris was fired. After one game under interim Bill Bertka, the team hired former Laker Kurt Rambis as their new coach.


1998–99 Los Angeles Lakers season
At midseason, Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell were both traded to the Charlotte Hornets for All-Star forward Glen Rice, J.R. Reid and B. J. Armstrong, who was released to free agency and signed with the Orlando Magic. Before the trade, the Lakers had signed free agent and rebounding specialist Dennis Rodman, who was well known for winning championships with the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls. However, after 23 games, Rodman was released by the team.


1998–99 Los Angeles Lakers season
The Lakers won ten straight games between February and March, and finished second in the Pacific Division with a 31–19 record in a season shortened to 50 games due to a lockout. Their attendance for the season was 430,007 (12th in the league). Kobe Bryant finished second on the team in scoring with 19.9 points per game in his first season as a starter. He was selected  to the All-NBA Third Team, while Shaquille O'Neal made the All-NBA Second Team, finishing second in the league with 26.3 points per game. In the playoffs, the Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 3–1 in the Western Conference First Round, but were swept in four straight games by the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs during the Western Conference Semifinals.


1998–99 Los Angeles Lakers season
Following the season, Rambis was fired as coach, Reid signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Bucks, Sean Rooks was traded back to his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, rookie forward Ruben Patterson signed with the Seattle SuperSonics, and Harper was dealt to the Detroit Pistons, but was released and then retired.


1998–99 Los Angeles Lakers season, Regular season
The Lakers went through three coaches during the season: Del Harris (6–6), Bill Bertka (1–0) and Kurt Rambis (24–13). Fourteen different Lakers started at least one game during the season. From February 25 to March 12, the Lakers won ten consecutive games. Outside of the streak, the Lakers were 21-19 in all other games. During the season, over half of the Lakers' games were televised nationally.


1998–99 Los Angeles Lakers season, Regular season
At season's end, the Lakers ranked second in the league in scoring at 99.0 points per game (only Sacramento averaged more points: 100.2 ppg). Despite the high scoring, the Lakers were the fourth worst Free Throw shooting team in the league with a percentage of .683. Shaquille O'Neal had a percentage of .540. Following the season, Rambis was fired as coach.


1998–99 Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team
The 1998–99 Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team represented the University of Louisville in the 1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The head coach was Denny Crum and the team finished the season with an overall record of 19–11.


1998–99 Luxembourg Championship season
The 1998-99 Luxembourg Championship season was the third season of Luxembourg's hockey league. Four teams participated in the league, and Tornado Luxembourg won the championship.


1998–99 Luxembourg Cup (ice hockey)
The 1998–99 Luxembourg Cup was the sixth playing of the Luxembourg Cup ice hockey tournament. Seven teams participated in the tournament, which was won by Tornado Luxembourg.


1998–99 Luxembourg National Division
The 1998–99 Luxembourg National Division was the 85th season of top level association football in Luxembourg.


1998–99 Luxembourg National Division, Overview
It was performed in 12 teams, and Jeunesse Esch won the championship.


1998–99 MC Alger season
In the 1998–99 season, MC Alger is competing in the National 1 for the 31st season, as well as the Algerian Cup. It is their 13th consecutive season in the top flight of Algerian football. They will be competing in National, and the Algerian Cup.


1998–99 MC Alger season, Squad list
Players and squad numbers last updated on 18 November 1998.Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1998–99 MC Alger season, Squad information, Goalscorers
Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted alphabetically by surname when total goals are equal.


1998–99 Macedonian First Football League
The 1998–99 Macedonian First League was the 7th season of the Macedonian First Football League, the highest football league of Macedonia. The first matches of the season were played on 9 August 1998 and the last on 29 May 1999. Sileks were the defending champions, having won their third title in a row. The 1998-99 champions were Sloga Jugomagnat who had won their first title.


1998–99 Macedonian First Football League, Promotion and relegation
1 Bregalnica Shtip was removed from the league after the round 19, due to their absence in a scheduled match against Sloga Jugomagnat. Their matches from round 14 were annulled.


1998–99 Macedonian Football Cup
The 1998–99 Macedonian Football Cup was the 7th season of Macedonia's football knockout competition. FK Vardar defended their title, having won their fourth title.


1998–99 Macedonian Football Cup, Quarter-finals
The first legs were played on 10 March and second were played on 17 March 1999.


1998–99 Macedonian Football Cup, Semi-finals
The first legs were played on 7 April and the second were played on 21 April 1999.


1998–99 Macedonian Second Football League
The 1998–99 Macedonian Second Football League was the seventh season since its establishment. It began in August 1998 and ended in May 1999.


1998–99 Magyar Kupa
The 1998–99 Magyar Kupa (English: Hungarian Cup) was the 60th season of Hungary's annual knock-out cup football competition.


1998–99 Maine Black Bears men's ice hockey season
The 1998-99 Maine Black Bears Men's ice hockey season was the 22nd season of play for the program, the 20th season competing at the Division I level, and the 15th season in the Hockey East conference. The Black Bears represented the University of Maine and played their home games at Alfond Arena, and were coached by Shawn Walsh, in his 15th season as their head coach. The Black Bears would win their second national title with a victory over rival New Hampshire in the National Championship Game.


1998–99 Maine Black Bears men's ice hockey season, Personnel
Head Coach: Shawn Walsh, 15th season Assistant Coach: Grant Standbrook Assistant Coach: Nate Leaman Assistant Coach: Bernie Sanford Assistant Coach: Gene Reilly


1998–99 Maltese Premier League
The 1998–99 Maltese Premier League was the 19th season of the Maltese Premier League, and the 84th season of top-tier football in Malta. It was contested by 10 teams, and Valletta F.C. won the championship.


1998–99 Manchester City F.C. season
Manchester City were able to make an immediate return to Division One, thanks to a play-off final victory over Gillingham in a penalty shootout, having drawn level from 2–0 down with 89 minutes of normal time played. The dramatic victory ensured that City's first season in English football's third tier ended in promotion, bringing some success to the club after two relegations in three seasons.


1998–99 Manchester City F.C. season, Team kit
The team kit was produced by Kappa and the shirt sponsor was Brother.


1998–99 Manchester City F.C. season, Team kit
The home shirt for the season was a slightly darker shade of blue than the traditional City sky blue known as 'Laser Blue'. While the home shirt was generally well received, it was the away kit that would take on a special significance to Manchester City fans. While the luminous yellow and navy blue stripes were peculiar, with the yellow in particular somewhat garish and never having even been worn before by City, the shirt took on a whole new meaning when it was worn for the 1999 Football League Second Division play-off Final.


1998–99 Manchester City F.C. season, Team kit
Although this game technically marked the lowest ever league finish in Manchester City's history, instead the incredible circumstances by which City were able to win - having conceded the first two goals of the game in the last ten minutes of normal time, before getting two goals of their own in injury time, and then winning a penalty shoot-out - in fact mark this game as one of the proudest moments of the club's history, with many fans describing the victory as feeling as good as winning a top division title, and probably being more important to the club's long-term future.


1998–99 Manchester City F.C. season, Team kit
The kit instantly went from being an average if slightly unusual shirt to being one of the most iconic symbols of the club's history. There have been frequent if uncoordinated calls for the shirt to be brought back as an away kit in a future season, though as yet the design has largely been forgotten by the club's successive kit manufacturers.


1998–99 Manchester City F.C. season, Second Division
City's first-ever season in the third tier got off to a bright start, the team losing only one of their first six matches and topping the table after a victory over fellow third tier newcomers Macclesfield Town. After that, however, City would only win three more league matches before Christmas, as the heavily overhauled squad struggled to come together, with injuries only compounding the situation. The club would hit its lowest ebb after an embarrassing 2–1 loss to York City in their final pre-Christmas fixture, a result which left them 13th in the table and resulted in fans calling for the head of manager Joe Royle.


1998–99 Manchester City F.C. season, Second Division
The board kept faith with Royle, however, and were rewarded with only two more losses all season, with the highlight of the season's second half being a 6–0 away win over Burnley. City's poor first half of the season, combined with the form of runaway leaders Fulham and second-placed Walsall meant that an automatic promotion challenge was never seriously on the cards, but they secured third place on the final day of the season, and also exacted revenge on York City for their earlier humiliation by thrashing the Minstermen 4–0, condemning them to relegation.


1998–99 Manchester City F.C. season, Second Division
City faced off against Lancashire rivals Wigan Athletic in the first round of the play-offs, and a pair of tense matches ended with a 1–1 draw in the last competitive fixture at Wigan's Springfield Park ground, followed by a 1–0 victory at Maine Road, setting the stage for a Wembley Stadium showdown with Gillingham.


1998–99 Manchester City F.C. season, Second Division
The play-off final was goalless for 82 minutes, before the Gills struck a pair of late goals that looked to have ensured that City would be spending a second successive season in Division Two. However, City themselves then scored a dramatic pair of injury-time goals (the second of which came in the 95th minute) to take the match to extra time. No further goals resulted in the next half-hour, leading to a penalty shoot-out. The Gills were able to convert only one of their penalties, while City scored three, ensuring that they returned to Division One at the first time of asking.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season
The 1998–99 season was Manchester United's seventh season in the FA Premier League and their 24th consecutive season in the top division of English football. After finishing the previous season without winning any titles, United won the Treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in 1998–99, the first and to date only side in English football to do so.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season
During the campaign, United lost only five times: in the Charity Shield against Arsenal; in the fifth round of the League Cup against eventual winners Tottenham Hotspur; and three times in the league, including their only home loss all season, against Middlesbrough in December 1998. A run of 33 games unbeaten in all competitions began on 26 December at home to Nottingham Forest, whom they also beat 8–1 away from home in February 1999, Manchester United's record away win in the Premier League.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season
The season was characterised by comebacks, particularly in the FA Cup fourth round against Liverpool and the semi-finals of the Champions League against Juventus, but none more so than in the Champions League final, when Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær scored in injury time to overturn Bayern Munich's early lead.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season
Veteran players Gary Pallister and Brian McClair had left the club before the season began, but their replacements (Dutch defender Jaap Stam from PSV Eindhoven and Trinidadian striker Dwight Yorke from Aston Villa) were both signed for club record fees. In November 1998, goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel announced his intention to leave the club after eight years at Old Trafford, joining Sporting CP at the end of the season. The club was at the centre of a takeover bid of more than £600 million from BSkyB early in the season, but that was blocked by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in March 1999.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season
Fans and writers regard the Treble as manager Alex Ferguson's greatest achievement. In recognition of his success, Ferguson was awarded a knighthood, and handed the Freedom of the City of Glasgow in November 1999. David Beckham was named UEFA Club Footballer of the Year for the 1998–99 season, and was runner-up to Rivaldo for 1999's Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, Friendlies
Manchester United played four pre-season matches ahead of the 1998–99 campaign, starting with a 4–3 defeat away to Birmingham City. They then went on a three-match tour of Scandinavia, starting with a 2–2 draw against Vålerenga, before comprehensive wins over Brøndby (6–0) and Brann (4–0). After the season began, they also played a friendly against a Europe XI selected by former striker Eric Cantona as a belated memorial to the Munich air disaster, which happened 40 years earlier; Cantona played for both teams during the match, which Manchester United won 8–4. A testimonial for Teddy Scott was scheduled against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in January; United lost 7–6 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in 90 minutes.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, Friendlies
Colours: Green = Manchester United win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Charity Shield
The first competitive game of the season was the Charity Shield on 9 August 1998 at Wembley Stadium in front of a crowd of 67,342, which United lost 3–0 to the previous season's double winners Arsenal. Roy Keane made his comeback after almost a year out injured and Jaap Stam made his debut in central defence.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, August
On the opening weekend of the season, Manchester United faced Leicester City at Old Trafford, and went a goal down within seven minutes, when Emile Heskey turned in Muzzy Izzet's cross via the crossbar. Tony Cottee – the scorer in the previous season's corresponding fixture – added a second with 15 minutes remaining. A long-range shot from David Beckham deflected in off Teddy Sheringham three minutes later, before Beckham himself got on the scoresheet with a direct free kick to salvage a point for the home side, setting a precedent for things to come.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, August
The team's first away game followed at West Ham United, but despite the debut of striker Dwight Yorke, United were held to a goalless draw. Beckham, who had become a national hate figure after his dismissal at the World Cup, received a torrid reception by the home supporters, with every touch of the ball made by him jeered at. Bottles and stones were directed at the team bus prior to kick-off. After the game, Ferguson, his players, and the Manchester United staff refused to be interviewed by the press or television.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, September
Manchester United recorded their first win of the season on 9 September, beating newly promoted Charlton Athletic 4–1. Yorke and Ole Gunnar Solskjær each scored a brace to overturn the visitors' early lead. The match was marred by demonstrations in and around Old Trafford against the proposed takeover of the club by BSkyB. Obscene chants were directed at chairman Martin Edwards, who had given his support to the merger.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, September
A 2–0 victory against Coventry City the following week, thanks to goals from Yorke and Ronny Johnsen, gave United confidence ahead of their UEFA Champions League opener against Barcelona, but a 3–0 defeat to champions Arsenal left the team in 10th place after five matches. This was Arsène Wenger's third straight league victory over Ferguson (four in all competitions); goals from Tony Adams, Nicolas Anelka and Freddie Ljungberg condemned Manchester United to their heaviest away defeat in more than two years.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, September
To compound the misery, midfielder Nicky Butt, who had been sent off in the Champions League match earlier in the week, was handed a second red card in the space of four days for a foul on French international Patrick Vieira. United ended the month with a win, beating rivals Liverpool 2–0 to move into fifth spot.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, October
A trip to face Southampton at The Dell on 3 October was taken with caution given United's return from Munich in the Champions League and winless record at the ground. United had lost to Southampton on each of their last three visits, including a 6–3 defeat in 1996. Andy Cole was paired with Yorke for only the second time in the season, a tactic that paid off as both got on the scoresheet.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, October
Substitute Jordi Cruyff added a third in the 75th minute to move United into second place in the table, four points behind leaders Aston Villa going into the international break. Raimond van der Gouw who deputised for injured goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel at Southampton featured again at home to Wimbledon, a match that Manchester United won 5–1, the biggest win of the season at Old Trafford. Ryan Giggs, Beckham, Yorke and Cole (twice) all scored; Ferguson in particular hailed the contribution of 19-year-old defender Wes Brown. United earned a point away at Derby County on 24 October, and beat Everton 4–1 at Goodison Park on Halloween to cut the gap at the top to just a point.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, November
Manchester United failed to score at home for the first and only time of the season against Newcastle United, but made amends with a 3–2 victory over bottom team Blackburn Rovers. Defensive frailties, most notably from Schmeichel, who had announced his intention to leave Manchester United at the end of the season, were on show away to Sheffield Wednesday as the team missed the chance to go top of the table, losing 3–1.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, November
A brace from winger Niclas Alexandersson and a debut goal scored by Wim Jonk consigned Ferguson to his second defeat in the league and extended a barren run at Hillsborough; United had won only a single game in their last eight visits. On 29 November, Manchester United hosted Leeds United; Leeds opened the scoring with just under half an hour played, but a goal either side of half-time gave United the lead. Leeds equalised in the 52nd minute, but a moment of brilliance from Butt secured the three points for the Red Devils and kept up the pressure on the challengers.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, December
Three straight draws followed in December, the first away to league leaders Aston Villa. United were fortunate to pick up a point given their opponents' dominance in the second half, and were careless at Tottenham Hotspur, throwing away a 2–0 lead. Solskjær put United two goals ahead, but in the 39th minute Gary Neville received a red card for a second bookable offence, tugging on David Ginola's shirt.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, December
Spurs captain Sol Campbell brought his team back into the match with 20 minutes remaining and on the cusp of stoppage time powered a header in the top left-hand corner, sparking jubilant scenes at White Hart Lane; despite losing the lead, the result put United top of the league on goal difference ahead of Aston Villa, who faced Arsenal the following day.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, December
Chelsea grabbed a creditable draw at Old Trafford to stake their championship credentials four days later and United, who were without their manager Ferguson for the Middlesbrough game were beaten 3–2; it was their last defeat of the season. On Boxing Day, the team collected their only win in the month of December against Nottingham Forest followed by a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge in the last match of 1998 to solidify their position in the top four.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, January
A power cut at Old Trafford delayed proceedings against West Ham on 10 January, a match that ended 4–1 to Manchester United. The partnership of Yorke and Cole was starting to click, evident in the 6–2 win at Leicester City. Five goals were scored in the second half – including a hat-trick for Yorke and Stam's only goal for the club – cutting Chelsea's lead at the top to two points. On 31 January, Manchester United moved a point clear at the top of the league for the first time in the season. Yorke's late header in the 89th minute made the 1–0 victory at Charlton Athletic their third consecutive league win (fifth in the month). Ferguson praised the team's resolve, adding, "It's a good result for us, because there are games where you have to dig in and find a result."


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, February
That winning streak extended to five matches in February, starting with a 1–0 victory at home to Derby County on 3 February to move four points ahead of Chelsea, followed by an 8–1 win against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground; after Yorke and Cole had scored two goals each, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came off the bench and scored four times in the space of ten minutes to record the biggest away win in Premier League history, a record that would stand for more than 20 years.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, February
Ron Atkinson, the manager of Nottingham Forest and Alex Ferguson's predecessor as Manchester United manager, declared Manchester United to be the best team in the league by "a country mile", and Ferguson was now handed a selection dilemma ahead of the clash against Arsenal on 17 February. The Gunners were without Dennis Bergkamp, Emmanuel Petit and Martin Keown, and conceded an early penalty when Ray Parlour brought down Johnsen.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, February
Yorke missed, shooting wide of the right-hand post, and was made to pay early in the second half as Nwankwo Kanu's through-ball found striker Anelka, who put his team into the lead. Given Arsenal's defensive record, another clean sheet looked to be on the cards until a header by Cole just after the hour mark drew the game level. From then on, United had several chances to win the game, but a point each left the title race finely balanced. Back-to-back wins, starting with a 1–0 victory at Coventry on 20 February, followed by a 2–1 win at home to Southampton a week later, maintained United's grip on top spot.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, March and April
Cup duties were the main priority in March as United played only two league fixtures: away to Newcastle and at home to Everton. Two wins out of two, including two goals by Cole against his former club, Newcastle, helped United become the first team to reach 60 points in the season.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, March and April
Manchester United could only manage a 1–1 draw at Wimbledon on 3 April as Beckham's well-drilled shot cancelled out Jason Euell's opener in the fifth minute. Despite several of the first-team members being rested for the Juventus tie, United won 3–0 at Old Trafford against Sheffield Wednesday and battled well to earn a point against Leeds at Elland Road after the midweek tie at Juventus; however, the result allowed Arsenal to move to the top of the table for the first time in the season, albeit having played one game more, after scoring six against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, May
Another victory over Aston Villa on 1 May put United back on top of the league, but Arsenal's win at Derby the next day restored the champions' slender advantage. Against Liverpool at Anfield, Ferguson restored the Cole–Yorke strike partnership, and within 23 minutes the latter scored the opener from a Beckham cross.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, May
In the second half, United were awarded a penalty for a challenge on Jesper Blomqvist by Jamie Carragher, which Denis Irwin successfully converted; however, Irwin was sent off in the 75th minute for a second bookable offence just after Jamie Redknapp scored through a penalty to give Liverpool hope. Former United midfielder Paul Ince scrambled the equaliser two minutes from time. The United manager did not hide his discomfort, adding that he thought "the referee handed it to them". On the same night, Arsenal convincingly beat rivals Tottenham to move three points clear, having still played a game more. Wenger was adamant that United were marginal favourites, but it was clear the title race would be decided on the final day, as it had been in 1995.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, May
With three games remaining, Yorke scored his 29th goal of the season at Middlesbrough to help his team return to the top of the table. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's late winner against Arsenal two days later all but ended Wenger's chances of retaining the league championship. United now needed only four points, one of them gained at Ewood Park, in the process relegating Blackburn Rovers, who were now managed by former United assistant manager Brian Kidd. Manchester United eventually secured the championship, their fifth in seven seasons, on the final day; after Les Ferdinand had put Tottenham ahead, goals from Beckham and Cole either side of half-time gave United a 2–1 win that rendered Arsenal's victory over Aston Villa irrelevant.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League, May
Colours: Green = Manchester United win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
Despite receiving a home draw in each of their first four rounds (Third to Sixth), United were paired against difficult opponents throughout the competition. En route to the final they defeated four Premier League teams: Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. The only team from outside the top flight that United played in the competition was Fulham, who at the time played in the Second Division, the third tier of English football, but even they were not considered pushovers, having claimed shock wins over Southampton and Aston Villa in the previous rounds.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
In the third round, United were drawn against Middlesbrough, who had recently beaten them in the league. Andy Townsend gave Middlesbrough the lead early in the second half, but goals from Cole, Irwin and Giggs gave United a 3–1 victory.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
United faced Liverpool at home in the following round, where the visitors took the lead from a Michael Owen header inside three minutes. In spite of creating plenty of goalscoring chances, the team failed to equalise until the 86th minute, when Yorke scored after a Beckham free kick was headed into his path by Cole inside the six-yard box. In the second minute of stoppage time, Solskjær hit a shot through the legs of Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher that beat goalkeeper David James at his near post to give United the win.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
Cole scored the winner against Fulham on Valentine's Day to set up a quarter-final clash at home to Chelsea. Although there were no goals, Paul Scholes and Roberto Di Matteo were both sent off and missed the replay three days later at Stamford Bridge. Yorke kept up his ever-improving goalscoring record, scoring two goals against the Blues on 10 March.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
United played cup holders Arsenal in the semi-final at Villa Park on 11 April. Neither team was able to score even after extra time had been played, although Keane had a goal ruled out in the first half for a controversial offside decision against Yorke in the build-up, and Nelson Vivas was sent off for Arsenal, so the match was decided in a replay four days later. Beckham opened the scoring for United with a long range effort, but Dennis Bergkamp drew Arsenal level with a shot that deflected off United's centre back Jaap Stam.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
Arsenal then thought they had taken the lead when Nicolas Anelka put the ball in the back of United's net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. United's captain Roy Keane was red-carded for two bookable offences and United played the last half-hour of normal time with 10 men. In injury time at the end of the second half, Phil Neville fouled Ray Parlour in the penalty area. Peter Schmeichel parried away Bergkamp's resultant spot kick and the game went into extra time.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
Giggs scored partway through the second half of extra time. Picking up possession on the halfway line after a loose pass from Patrick Vieira, he dribbled past the entire Arsenal back line before shooting just under goalkeeper David Seaman's bar. Giggs ran celebrating towards the United fans, and United held on to beat the Gunners 2–1. The goal was the last ever scored in a FA Cup semi-final replay, as they were abolished the following season.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
United met Newcastle United in the final at Wembley Stadium, the penultimate FA Cup final to be held there before it was closed for rebuilding. Less than 10 minutes into the match, Keane was injured and replaced by Sheringham. He and Scholes both finished with a goal apiece in the 2–0 win that sealed the double.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
Colours: Green = Manchester United win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
As in the previous four seasons United rested many of their first-team players in the League Cup, instead using the competition to provide first team experience to their younger players and reserves. In the third round of the competition United required extra-time to defeat Bury, eventually winning 2–0 with goals from Erik Nevland and Ole Gunnar Solskjær. In the fourth round, two more goals from Solskjær gave United a 2–1 victory over Nottingham Forest, earning them a place in the quarter-finals for the first time since they reached the final in 1994. United were beaten in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Tottenham Hotspur; two goals from Chris Armstrong and one from David Ginola gave Spurs a 3–1 victory, with ex-Spurs striker Teddy Sheringham scoring the consolation for United on his return to White Hart Lane.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
Colours: Green = Manchester United win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win.


1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Second qualifying round
Manchester United began their UEFA Champions League campaign against Polish champions ŁKS Łódź in the second qualifying round. Goals from Giggs and Cole in the home leg gave them a 2–0 win, and a goalless second leg ensured their qualification for the group stage. This gave Łódź the distinction of being the only side to keep a clean sheet against the eventual champions as well as being the only opponents failing to score against them.