DigiGuide Logo

DigiGuide Library

Sign in to your account

 

Home » DigiGuide Library » UK TV Programme Highlights » Match of the Day Live: FA Cup Final


One of the most unpredictable FA Cup Finals ever

Match of the Day Live: FA Cup Final, showing Saturday May 17th on BBC 1 at 12:40am

Also recommended...

Set a reminder

Click for an e-mail/SMS reminder for Match of the Day Live: FA Cup Final

Gary Lineker and guests are at Wembley for the FA Cup Final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City.

Barclays Premier League side Portsmouth will be expected to beat their Coca-Cola Championship opponents Cardiff but, after what has been one of the most unpredictable competitions in the trophy's long and distinguished history, league status is unlikely to count for much. With neither side having contested an FA Cup Final since the war, both sets of fans have been eagerly anticipating the showdown. BBC One has full coverage of the build-up to the match, which kicks off at 3pm.

Portsmouth last reached this stage in 1939, when they won the Cup for the only time in their history. Their manager, Harry Redknapp, had never been to Wembley as a player or manager prior to this season's semi-final and is vying for the first major trophy of his 25-year managerial career.

Cardiff have waited even longer to reach another FA Cup final, having last done so in 1927 when they beat Arsenal 1-0. They remain the only Welsh side to have won the competition.

It is the fifth time in this season's competition that Portsmouth have faced a Championship club, with the one exception being the incredible 1-0 quarter-final win against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Their progress to the Final has been built on a solid defence, with goalkeeper David James conceding only one goal in previous rounds.

Cardiff's highlight so far also came in the last eight, when Peter Whittingham's magnificent goal - his third in their run to the final - set Dave Jones's side on their way to a 2-0 win at Middlesbrough.

Preview courtesy of BBC




Add a comment

(required)
(required but not displayed)
Your e-mail is also used for adding an Avatar image to your comment using the free and very cool Gravatar.com
 
(your personal web site)