FA Cup Final
Take Pompey to Win by One
FA Cup Final: Portsmouth v Cardiff – 17 May, k/o 15:00pm
Well, this is a bit more like the traditional F.A Cup tournament; giant killings and unlikely heroes emerging (some of whom turn into villains with crucial semi-final misses; no prizes for guessing who that may be, Barnsley fans).
We've had Barnsley defeating Liverpool at Anfield in the fifth round with last minute heroics before inflicting a similar pain on Chelsea in the next round. On at least a couple of occasions, Tony Mowbray (manager of West Brom) got out of his seat to allow himself the merest flicker of a smile (ala Sven, ex Man City manager?) at the thought of going to Wembley for a semi-final fixture. The part-timers of Havant & Waterlooville gave a good account of themselves before returning to their days jobs of climbing some scaffolding and whistling at any female that strolls past. In short, the romance of the F.A Cup has been truly emphasised this season. Also, how refreshing to see different colours at Wembley; rather than the so called 'big four' monopolising the tournament year on year.
Neither of the teams contesting this year's final have won the cup since baggy shorts below the knees were common place on pitches that were like quagmires. Portsmouth last lifted the famous trophy in the year when Neville Chamberlain was the centre of political attention for waving a piece of paper saying he'd come across a chap with a toothbrush moustache… ok it was 1939. For Cardiff it's been a slightly longer wait, having failed to lift the trophy since 1927. But, from the point of view of a Spurs fan, they took the trophy out of England at Arsenal's expense so they can be forgiven.
It's fair to say that this encounter will be quite contrasting to the pre-war finals these teams participated in. Until the demolition of the old Wembley stadium, teams only had to climb thirty-nine steps to receive the trophy. Nowadays, they have to climb up twice as many steps, duck under some passage way or other, do a little merry dance and then suddenly emerge at the Royal Box in excruciating pain. That of course is a slight exaggeration but I do wonder what goes on when the teams suddenly disappear on their way to receiving a trophy at the new stadium.
Despite their poor form going into this game, Portsmouth will go into the final as favourites simply because they have more quality on paper. But, as the old cliché goes, the game isn't played on paper, because it simply couldn't cope with the studs ripping it up, plus the players will be out for six months at a time with paper cuts. On a more serious note, anything could happen. Portsmouth will fancy themselves because of the quality in their side. Players such as Krancjar and Muntari will be vital in their midfield with the flair and goals they can provide at crucial times. Cardiff will be hoping their veteran Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will be on form to cause some problems for Portsmouth's defence. However, going into the game as underdogs may give them the freedom to play in a more relaxed manner, something Portsmouth may not have the privilege of doing.
I'm going to predict a tense game, but one that Portsmouth will just edge by a goal to nil.
Portsmouth 1:0 Cardiff at 6/1 with
Will Gannaway
10/04/2008