Cardiff 0-1 Portsmouth - Exciting cup final?

Filed in archive General on May 18, 2008

I sat and watched The FA Cup Final on Saturday and I was hugely disappointed. I was totally neutral and didn't mind who won, I just wanted to see a good game of football.

I had been looking forward to the game because I truly felt that the FA Cup had regained some of it's 'magic' this season.

What I watched was a very drab affair with Portsmouth playing with just one up front and Cardiff doing the same. Well, actually Cardiff played with two, but you can't really count Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank these days!

After the game I heard the BBC pundits telling me that I had watched a fascinating and exciting game. I really wanted to agree with them but I couldn't. It wasn't exciting and I can't really think how it could be described as fascinating.

Cardiff did remarkably well to get to the final and they gave a decent account of themselves when they were there. I never felt that they were likely to score, but they certainly didn't let their club or their fans down. Portsmouth deserved the win and I'm really pleased for Harry Redknapp who must be one of the best managers never to win a major trophy before Saturday.

I have no major criticism of the two teams. With very few exceptions, the Liverpool and West Ham game from a couple of years ago for example, the Cup final is usually a let down. Who can forget the turgid affairs between Manchester United and Chelsea last year and Manchester United and Arsenal a couple of years before? Everyone!

It probably just isn't the occasion to play exciting free flowing football. There is too much to lose. I just felt a little short changed after the game on Saturday because I had expected a better game.

I wish I could watch games through the same glasses that are worn by the 'experts' in the BBC studio!