Sunderland would be in dreamland if QPR, Kevin Phillips repeat played out v Cardiff: View | OneFootball

If Sunderland can replicate their 1998/99 opening day victory over QPR, then it could be a special season for the North East club.

With Sunderland's opening day fixture against Cardiff City on the horizon, fans will be hoping for a positive start to the Black Cats' Championship season.

On the face of it, the opening day of the season may seem insignificant, given there are another 45 games to follow. However, the first game of the season could set the tone for the season to come.

Just ask Ipswich Town. The Tractor Boys defeated Sunderland in their first game back in the Championship last season and went on to achieve promotion to the Premier League. Their opening day victory gave the team confidence and was the start of a three-match winning streak.

In 1998, Sunderland defeated QPR 1-0 in their first game of the Division One season. Although the result was nothing special, it sent the Black Cats on their way to a famous promotion. Sunderland fans will be hoping something similar can unravel with a victory over Cardiff.

Sunderland's 1998 victory over QPR set the tone for success

Sunderland have never won an opening match of a Championship season. Although it may be hard to believe, you would have to go back to 1998 for the Wearsiders' most recent opening day victory in England's second tier. Back then, the Championship was simply known as Division One.

Ten weeks prior to Sunderland's win, the Wearsiders were in reach of the Premier League but fell short in the cruelest of manners: a penalty shoot out. In what must be considered as the greatest play-off final in history, the Black Cats tied with Charlton Athletic 4-4, only for Michael Gray to miss the defining penalty.

The Black Cats have had several seasons in English football's second tier since, but they have never been fast starters. In 1998, it was a different story as Sunderland's opening day victory over QPR paved the way for a glorious season.

Although the result was nothing special, it was vital that Sunderland got the three points to kick-start their season. The Black Cats found it difficult to break QPR down but managed to find the breakthrough in the 75th minute after Ian Baraclough's red card. Kevin Phillips slotted home the resulting penalty in what was to be his first of 23 league goals that season.

What followed was a 19-match unbeaten streak, which ran until late November when the Black Cats were beaten 3-2 by Barnsley. The Black Cats only lost two more games all season and were crowned champions with a record 105 points, achieving promotion to the Premier League.

Sunderland will be hoping to replicate their 1998 win, but are without a prolific striker

Regis Le Bris' men will be facing the tricky task of travelling to Cardiff for their opening game of the new season. The Bluebirds have proved to be a tough nut to crack for Sunderland over recent years, but the Black Cats did defeat them on their last two visits to the Cardiff City stadium.

In 1998, Sunderland were in possession of an enviable forward partnership of Phillips and Niall Quinn. The dynamic duo remain Sunderland's most famous strike partnership to this day. Today, Sunderland do not possess such quality up front, but for whoever does start, it could be the catalyst for a special season.

In the forward area, Sunderland have Eliezer Mayenda, Nazariy Rusyn and Luis 'Hemir' Semedo at their disposal. Although none of these players are of Phillips and Quinn's ilk, a goal against Cardiff could ignite their Championship campaign.

Sunderland are still on the hunt for their next Phillips, but players of his prestige are hard to come by these days. Alexandre Mendy could be the answer to Sunderland's striker woes, but a deal is proving difficult to get over the line.

With just days to go before Sunderland's Championship opener against Cardiff, the excitement is building for what could be a famous season for the Black Cats. Indeed, they will be hoping to replicate their opening day result in 1998, which sent them on the road to victory.

With all of their star players still at the club, there is reason for fans to be positive about the season ahead. If Sunderland's assets are still at the club come the end of the transfer window, then they could be real contenders.