Newcastle play their first game of the 2019 Premier League Asia Trophy on Wednesday, 16 years after playing in the inaugural version of the event which was held in Malaysia.
The Magpies finished second in 2003, losing to Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out, as the Premier League began its annual pilgrimage to Asia.
Back then, there were only three Premier League sides that took part, with the fourth spot being occupied by the Malaysian national team.
Newcastle opened the tournament against Birmingham City, and the first ever goal in the competition was scored by none other than Alan Shearer, who slotted home a penalty in the 36th minute.
Craig Bellamy was fouled by Birmingham’s Kenny Cunningham, who was sent-off for the mistimed tackle, leaving Shearer to give the Toon the lead.
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Paul Devlin equalised for ten-man City from the spot after 72 minutes, after the ever-clumsy Titus Bramble brought down Darren Carter inside the box.
But just three minutes later, Shola Ameobi headed home a Bellamy cross, via the post, to put Newcastle into the showpiece final.
Chelsea would face the Toon in that final, demolishing the Malaysian national team 4-1 in the other semi-final the following evening.
The final against Chelsea was an anti-climax
The final was a drab goalless affair which saw the Magpies clinging on for much of the game.
It went to a penalty shoot-out, which saw both teams miss two of their initial five spot-kicks, with Laurent Robert missing Newcastle’s second, after Shearer – unusually for him – missed their first.
In sudden death, John Terry scored Chelsea’s seventh spot-kick, which saw Jermaine Jenas step up to try to cancel it out, but his cheeky, dinked effort floated over the bar, gifting Chelsea a 5-4 win.
41,500 fans attended that final, and larger crowds await in China this summer.
Newcastle will be hoping to go one better this time around, when they face Wolves in the semi-final, with the other match being between Manchester City and West Ham.
All four games will be shown live and exclusively in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event.