So there it is folks, the dream of a repeat of 1999 gone till next season. This is a particularly bitter pill to swallow considering the way portsmouth ran away as winners against the run of play. United fans have every reason to feel agrieved at this defeat which comes at the hand of blatant poor refereeing and the knowledge that it just wasn't our day
ManUtd started brightly enough, using their trademark attacking from the wings. And it was from here that the first opputunity arrived. Ronaldo, using his speed to picked up Rooney's pass, took an excellent first touch and cut into pompey's penalty area. Sylvain Distin then clumsily clattered into him. Clear body check = a bloody penalty. But referee Martin Atkinson thought otherwise.
Not long after, Roo was presented with a glorious oppurtunity to get United ahead in the game. Carlos Tevez put him clear one on one with David James, but the England striker took a step too many and James duly blocked his shot. The ball fell kindly to Tevez whose goal bound shot was headed off the line by the very alert Glenn Johnson.
Manutd continued to attack at every oppurtunity, with portsmouth being content to sit back and soak in the pressure and would occasionaly mount a counter attack and shooting from outside the box. Kuszczak replaced van der sar at half time, and the 2nd half started with the same pattern as the first, with portsmouth continuing to play defensive.Sir Alex then brought in Anderson and Michael Carrick to replace Tevez and Hargreaves respectively. United switched to 4-3-3 with Ronaldo, Rooney and Nani in attack. Soon after, carrick was then presented with the easiet chance of the match. A neat backheel from Ron put him in the clear and he did a good job of rounding James but could only muster a weak shot at goal and Distin promptly cleared it off the line. Shortly after, Evra then had a brilliant sweaving shot from outside the box hit the post after getting the slightest of touches from James' outstrech palm.
It was then Pompey put paid to United's wasted chances. With 12 minutes remaining, Portsmouth mounted a counter attack and Baros was brought clear one on one with Kuszczak. Baros tried to round him and went to the ground after the United keeper seemingly gave the slightest of touches. Even before Baros hit the ground, Kuszczak already had his head in his hands. Referee martin immediately showed the red card and United was left in disarray. Rio ferdinand took responsibility to replace Kuszczak. There is a disbelief among United fans that even though we dominated for long periods of time, it was still Pompey who now is presented with the best chance of the match. Rio guessed the right way, but Sulley Muntari's shot was too powerful and hit the back of the net.
The United faithful continued to spur their team on with the belief that a late goal would be able to earn a replay but the closest the got was a Ronaldo free kick, which touch the roof of the net. Even with 4 minutes added time, United failed to severely test James again and the full time whistle was blown to end the treble dream.
So, hopefully United will be able to get over this loss and bounce back strongly in the league and Europe. With the substace that United have, we are in with a very good chance in both.
P/S, Chelsea's late loss to Bransley was a very precious consolation to us. At least now we know that a big 4 club would not lift the oldest cup in football history.
Till next season then.
Reported by: Joash Wee
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