The organization of the fifth edition of the UNCAF nations Cup is entrusted to Costa Rica, six years after the first edition of the competition, all games of the tournament taking place in the Lair of "the Tacita de Plata", the estadio Nacional de San José.
Six national teams of Central America are participating in the UNCAF Nations Cup 1999, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group being qualified for the second round in a single group. The top three teams in the tournament qualify for the Gold Cup 2000.
On 17 March 1999, the fifth UNCAF nations Cup starts.
In group A, defending Costa Rican champion is opposed to the Honduras and Belize. Hondurans are round at the start of the tournament, and want to forget their nightmarish journey of [comp_annee:11*1997]the last UNCAF Cup. Belize, for his second participation, hope finally snag a first victory in this competition. And it is facing Los Ticos Belizeans are confronted in the first game. And the beginnings are harsh. 7-0, Costa Ricans do not joke on their soil, and after the opening of the score in the second minute of the scorer Paulo Wanchope, The Jaguars suffered the incessant onslaught of Costa Rica, with notably one doubled by Rolando Fonseca and by the striker of Ajax Amsterdam Froylán Ledezma. In "La Tacita de Plata", Costa Rica is ready for his competition, the stadium goes wild.
Two days later, the Honduras enters, still facing Belize. And La H also wants to mark the spirits, it imposes a scathing 5-1 on the poor Belizeans, happy to save the honor at the 57’ by Wilmer García.
On 21 March, the confrontation between the Honduras and Costa Rica looks hot. Two years earlier, the Costa Ricans gave a lesson to Hondurans by beating 4-0, and at home, all supporters of Los Ticos very well imagine a bis repetita. When Carlos Pavón opened the score at the 14th minute for La H, uncertainty grew in the stands, and the Honduras hits a great shot by dominating the reigning (final score 1-0). Two previous winners of the competition qualify for the second round, and will soon come to revenge.
In Group B, Guatemala, outsider of the competition, must cope with the Salvador and the Nicaragua.
In the first game, the Guatemalan Guillermo Ramirez takes a red card at the 36th minute and leaves its partners to 10. This is the chance of the Nicaragua to win a first match in the competition for his second participation. But the men of Benjamin Monterroso have heart, and Jorge Rodas opened the score at the 51’ for the Bicolor. The hard part is done, must be taken, and the Guatemala holds its victory at the final whistle (1-0).
Two days later against the Salvador, the Guatemala does not want to repeat the same errors, but Magdonio Corrales, from the top of its 20 years, mark a goal for Selecta at the 21’ minute. The Bicolor doubt not long, and Carlos Ruiz gives the two teams tied six minutes later. A Guatemala to reaction in this tournament. More nothing happens, if a new expulsion side Guatemalan (German Ruano, 51’).
In the last match of the group, the young striker of the Municipal Limeno Magdonio Corrales struck again at the 34’, and gives the victory to the Salvador against the Nicaragua.
The Guatemala and the Salvador finish top of the group and qualify for the second round of the competition.
On 24 March, Costa Rica opens the hostilities of the second phase of the tournament against the Guatemala, and Rolando Fonseca releases his at the 34’ minute. Score final 1-0, los Ticos do when nothing, supported by a proud and loyal people.
In the other game of the day, the Honduras dominates the Salvador 3 goals to 1, Milton Omar Núñez signing one doubled during this match.
Two days later, midfielder Guatemalan Freddy García gives victory to his face the Nicaragua at the 55’, and the Guatemala can still hope to win the UNCAF Cup this year. As in the other game, it's the revenge of the first round, Costa Rica against the Honduras. The atmosphere is electric, and when at the 10th minute Reynaldo Clavasquin marks penalty for la H, the Costa Rican fans grow their team in a stadium in fusion. 36th minute, Rolando Fonseca, still him, score his fourth goal in the tournament and helps the 'Ticos' to come back to the score. A draw arranges nobody, and Carlos Pavón cools the entire Stadium giving the advantage to the Hondurans at the 75th. Clap of thunder in the estadio Nacional of San José! The spirits warm up, Reynaldo Clavasquin is expelled at the 82nd minute, but the score does not move, and la H dominates los Ticos a second time in the UNCAF Cup (final score 2-1).
On 28 March, the last two games of the tournament will finally determine who will win the competition.
With a win and a defeat, Costa Rica must win against the Salvador to always believe. And los Ticos does not doubt, Steven Bryce opening the score at the 13th minute, until Randall Row double the score just before halftime (42nd). The public is happy, and back to the locker room, Rolando Fonseca heavier score with his fifth goal of the tournament (46th), permanently sealing the outcome of the game. At the 53rd, Salvadoran player Merino commits the irreparable in the penalty area, receiving a red card, and Paulo Wanchope converted the penalty kick for a 4-0 final victory. Costa Rica treats its goal difference, and takes over the head of the group pending the crucial match between the Guatemala and the Honduras.
For Hondurans, a match draw is enough to win a third UNCAF Cup, but Bicolor still believes in its chances of victory, and Julio Rodas shows the way for its partners at the 8th minute. The game is launched, the Honduras pushes back to the score, but Martín Machón aggravates the score at the end of match (89th), and the Guatemala wins with a score of 2-0.
End of the tournament, Costa Rica, the Honduras and the Guatemala have all 6 points with two wins, but UNCAF Nations Cup 1999 rest to Costa Rica, los Ticos finishing first of the tournament thanks to a better goal difference.
With 5 goals, the striker of Comunicaciones Rolando Fonseca finished top scorer of the competition, and at 24 years, splashed the tournament of its class.
Second and third respectively of the UNCAF Nations Cup 1999, the Guatemala and the Honduras qualify with Costa Rica to participate in the Gold Cup 2000.
El Salvador, last of the group, must pass through skills against Canada, Haiti and Cuba to participate in the Gold Cup 2000.
