Portsmouth in .....
By akuler
@akuler (3531)
Malaysia
April 12, 2010 2:02am CST
Portsmouth might being relegated less then 24 hours before their match against Tottenham Hotspur at FA Cup semi final and has been put under administration, but it does not stop them to play their heart out and qualify for the final at the cup they won two years ago.
Its been an upside down for them in the league this season and has been confirm to drop to the first division after West Ham United manage to won their game against Sunderland. After played 33 games so far in the league, the pompey just manage to collect 14 points. With five games left to play, it is impossible for them to move above wigan Athletic (31 points) who is currently hold the 17th place at the table standing.
After 120 minutes of play, Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur fail to score any goal and need extra time. Portsmouth score 2 goals during that time and book their place in the FA Cup final against the holder, Chelsea. Wembley has been a good hunting ground for Portsmouth for the last couples of years. They never lost a match when they play there so far.
Even though it is a controversial game after a few blunder by the match officials, it does not mean anything to Portsmouth. All they knew is they were at the final of FA Cup and anything else is nothing. At least they have something to give back to their loyal fans and be proud of.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
12 Apr 10
Isn't that the fantasy of the FA Cup. The top team in the league will face the bottom team in the league. You cannot ask for anything better than that. What's more if Pompey go on to beat Chelsea it would be real fun.
Yesterday I was unable to decide whether the pitch was awful or the match was dreadful. But having said that Pompey defended with their lives and then scored from a lucky slip. I think Crouchie had pulled in the equalizer when the referee blew it again!! I now feel a strong case of using technology for at least goal mouth decisions like what they have introduced in hockey.
Cheers!
Ram
@akuler (3531)
• Malaysia
13 Apr 10
Yeah ... on regular circumstances, Portsmouth would go to European competition next season, in whatever result this final might be. Chelsea would not want to play at Europa League because they qualify for Champion League competition. And as a finalist, Portsmouth would enter it instead.
Unfortunately, Portsmouth would not go there unless UEFA say it otherwise. To get the licence to play in European competition, each and every club must be secured financially. And this is not the case for Portsmouth. They were under administration. It is pity for them. At least their fans has something to talk about next season if they can compete.
1 person likes this
@akuler (3531)
• Malaysia
12 Apr 10
Hi ram,
You are right. This is the result that make the FA Cup so special. There is no guarantee that the top team from premier league would won this competition. Just look back what happen two years ago when only Portsmouth (mid-table team) was from premier league, while the rest Cardiff city, Barnsley and West Bromwich Albion were from the lower division. I think most of us (except Chelsea fans) would love to see another upset at the final. And that would be a great sent off for Portsmouth.
I think everyone that involve in the two semi final have a complaint on the pitch condition. The problem is Wembley stadium is multi-purpose stadium and not just for football. They need to make it available to everyone to cover the cost of building it. And we could not see a better for next few years if this situation did not changed. Its been ten years and no changing.
Yeah ... there were at least two controversial decision has been made by referee last night and both are against Spurs. First is the penalty claim and the second is the goal from Crouch. But I love it. Football been talk everyday all around the globe because of this controversial and if we took it then it would lost its beauty (or pain).
1 person likes this
@victiego (48)
• Ireland
12 Apr 10
A few Corrections first
Its inaccurate to say there was no goal after 120 minutes and extra time was needed coz obviously a game of football is 90 minutes and therefore the extra 30 minutes (When a winner has to be found, as was the case with Pompey vs Spurs) then makes it the 120 minutes..therefore then Pompey scored there 2 goals in extra time
Now that that is out of the way, I still think the Cup will go to Chelsea..I think they are just that little bit too strong for pompey. On the other hand though football can be strange at times and you might be hit with a big cupset
1 person likes this
@akuler (3531)
• Malaysia
12 Apr 10
Of course not after 120 minutes, because if it is so, the match would go to penalty ..... my mistake. Thanks for correcting it
.
This is also the sentiment before this game. Everyone on their clear mind would pick Tottenham Hotspur over Portsmouth to qualify for the final. Tottenham Hotspur was on the fifth in the stand while Portsmouth was at the bottom. And Spurs just beat the Pompey fortnight ago when they meet at the league.
This is the best of FA Cup. Nothing can be sure until the final whistle. There are a lot of surprise result in this game. And to say Chelsea would get the trophy easily was a wrong statement. The Blues might get win it but Pompey definitely would give them a hel.l. Chelsea would need run for their money. And on the second thought, Pompey might pull the stun for the second time. They would try to take back the trophy from Chelsea after give it to them last season.
@Dumpertaker (1187)
•
12 Apr 10
Great news for Portsmouth Football Club after their relegation, the fans should be very proud of the team!
1 person likes this
@akuler (3531)
• Malaysia
12 Apr 10
Hi Dumpertaker,
I think this is the most happiest moment for Portsmouth fans for the whole seasons. Portsmouth just went to administration because of the money they owes to several parties including IRS. They also fail to find a buyer to prevent them to go into administration. They points being deduct by 9 points because of it. And just less then 24 hours before this game played, they were conformed being regulated to the first division.
This final at least would make them proud and if not because of their teams being taking care by the administration, they would go to Europa League next season whether they take the title or not because Chelsea definitely would play at Champion League. Under current condition they would not get the license to play at European competition.
