The Nigerian Village Square - King Kanu Leads Portsmouth to FA Cup Victory

King Kanu Leads Portsmouth to FA Cup Victory

Written by BBC Sports

Saturday, 17 May 2008

By Phil McNulty
BBC

Report: Portsmouth hold off Cardiff at Wembley

Kanu's first-half goal won the FA Cup for Portsmouth against Cardiff City in a low-key final at Wembley.

The Nigerian scrambled home the winner at the near post eight minutes before half-time after Cardiff keeper Peter Enckelman fumbled John Utaka's cross.

Cardiff enjoyed possession but rarely posed a serious threat, although Glenn Loovens had a goal ruled out for handball in first-half injury time.

And Portsmouth held on to claim the trophy for the first time since 1939.

It was a personal triumph for emotional Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp as he claimed his first major trophy in a management and coaching career stretching back 25 years.

He raced on to the pitch afterwards to celebrate as Portsmouth's win earned them a place in next season's Uefa Cup - their first European adventure.

The final was given a magnificent backdrop by both clubs' noisy and colourful fans who clearly wanted to make the most of their moment in the limelight.

Redknapp dedicates the FA Cup win to his family after a difficult year off the pitch

Underdogs Cardiff, who were trying to become the first team from outside the top flight to win the Cup since West Ham United beat Arsenal in 1980, played with spirit, but did not have the quality to seriously disturb the Pompey defence, in which Campbell and Sylvain Distin were outstanding.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones did not gamble on Robbie Fowler, even as a substitute, after four months out with a hip problem - and his side did not feel his absence in a lively start.

Joe Ledley played in Paul Parry in the 12th minute but Portsmouth keeper David James made a crucial block to deny Cardiff the lead.

Kanu posted the warning signals for Cardiff as early as the 21st minute when he took a pass from Sulley Muntari in his stride and danced around keeper Enckelman, only to send his effort against the outside of the post with the goal unguarded.

He made no mistake eight minutes before the interval when Enckelman could only push out Utaka's whipped cross from the right flank and Kanu pounced to score.

Dave Jones is proud of the Cardiff City players

Cardiff had more than held their own and almost provided an instant response when Parry raced clear down the left, but his cross stretched Kevin McNaughton as he arrived at the far post and the chance was gone.

And Bluebirds had a goal ruled out in first-half injury time when Pompey keeper James - who has form for high-profile mistakes in FA Cup finals - missed a corner, but Loovens handled before sending a looping finish into the net.

Loovens came to Cardiff's rescue after 52 minutes when Utaka set up Kanu again and he was forced to block a goal-bound shot with his chest.

Cardiff failed to apply consistent pressure to Portsmouth and boss Jones made a change after 61 minutes, sending on gifted 17-year-old prodigy Aaron Ramsey for Peter Whittingham.

It had been a desperately disappointing afternoon for the veteran Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, so it was no surprise when he was also hauled off with 20 minutes left and time running out for a Cardiff response.

David Nugent had come on as replacement for Utaka, and he forced Enckelman into a smart near-post save from a rising drive as Portsmouth attempted to kill the final off.

Loovens had proved to be a danger man for Cardiff at set-pieces and he sent a header bouncing just over the bar from Ramsey's corner after 79 minutes.

David James is full of praise for manager Harry Redknapp

Cardiff's desire to push forward for an equaliser left them open to a counter-attack and Distin almost punished them with a run from the half-way line that was only halted by a fine tackle from Roger Johnson.

But it was Portsmouth's day as for once the favourites justified their tag in this season's unpredictable FA Cup.

To their credit, many Cardiff supporters stayed inside the stadium to see Pompey lift the Cup before they melted away to contemplate their sorrows.

Robot Robot is offline
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	# 1 By Phil McNulty BBC Report: Portsmouth hold off Cardiff at Wembley Kanu's first-half goal won the FA Cup for Portsmouth against Cardiff City in a low-key final at Wembley. The Nigerian scrambled home the winner at the near post eight minutes before half-time after Cardiff keeper Peter Enckelman fumbled John Utaka's cross. Cardiff enjoyed possession but rarely posed a serious threat, although Glenn Loovens had a goal ruled out for handball in first-half injury time. And Portsmouth held on to claim the trophy for the first time since 1939. It was a personal triumph for emotional Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp as he claimed his first major trophy in a management and coaching career stretching back 25 years. He raced on to the pitch afterwards to celebrate as Portsmouth's win earned them a place in next season's Uefa Cup - their first European adventure. The final was given a magnificent backdrop by both clubs' noisy and colourful fans who clearly wanted to make the most of their moment in the limelight. Redknapp dedicates the FA Cup win to his family after a difficult year off the pitch Underdogs Cardiff, who were trying to become the first team from outside the top flight to win the Cup since West Ham United beat Arsenal in 1980, played with spirit, but did not have the quality to seriously disturb the Pompey defence, in which Campbell and Sylvain Distin were outstanding. Cardiff boss Dave Jones did not gamble on Robbie Fowler, even as a substitute, after four months out with a hip problem - and his side did not feel his absence in a lively start. Joe Ledley played in Paul Parry in the 12th minute but Portsmouth keeper David James made a crucial block to deny Cardiff the lead. Kanu posted the warning signals for Cardiff as early as the 21st minute when he took a pass from Sulley Muntari in his stride and danced around keeper Enckelman, only to send his effort against the outside of the post with the goal unguarded. He made no mistake eight minutes before the interval when Enckelman could only push out Utaka's whipped cross from the right flank and Kanu pounced to score. Dave Jones is proud of the Cardiff City players Cardiff had more than held their own and almost provided an instant response when Parry raced clear down the left, but his cross stretched Kevin McNaughton as he arrived at the far post and the chance was gone. And Bluebirds had a goal ruled out in first-half injury time when Pompey keeper James - who has form for high-profile mistakes in FA Cup finals - missed a corner, but Loovens handled before sending a looping finish into the net. Loovens came to Cardiff's rescue after 52 minutes when Utaka set up Kanu again and he was forced to block a goal-bound shot with his chest. Cardiff failed to apply consistent pressure to Portsmouth and boss Jones made a change after 61 minutes, sending on gifted 17-year-old prodigy Aaron Ramsey for Peter Whittingham. It had been a desperately disappointing afternoon for the veteran Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, so it was no surprise when he was also hauled off with 20 minutes left and time running out for a Cardiff response. David Nugent had come on as replacement for Utaka, and he forced Enckelman into a smart near-post save from a rising drive as Portsmouth attempted to kill the final off. Loovens had proved to be a danger man for Cardiff at set-pieces and he sent a header bouncing just over the bar from Ramsey's corner after 79 minutes. David James is full of praise for manager Harry Redknapp Cardiff's desire to push forward for an equaliser left them open to a counter-attack and Distin almost punished them with a run from the half-way line that was only halted by a fine tackle from Roger Johnson. But it was Portsmouth's day as for once the favourites justified their tag in this season's unpredictable FA Cup. To their credit, many Cardiff supporters stayed inside the stadium to see Pompey lift the Cup before they melted away to contemplate their sorrows. Posted by Robot\| 17.05.2008 16:16

okenikpoto okenikpoto is offline
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	# 2 Papilo doing it again. Kanu is obviously one of the most resourceful players Nigeria has produced and his big heart towards helping those in need through his Kanu Heart Foundation attracts blessings to him all the time. Congratulations. Portmouth should be happy and proud of the Nigerian guys cos it was a Nigerian victory for them. Utaka passing the ball for Papilo to volley in swiftly. Posted by okenikpoto\| 17.05.2008 17:36

WaleAkin WaleAkin is offline
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	# 3 I had another true Nigerian feeling inside the massive Wembley Stadium with my two boys today when gangling Kanu scored after a funny near 360 degree on the dot of the 38th minute. I never knew there was a large turnout of Nigerians until Kanu scored and i heard the National Anthem "Arise O Compatriots" amidst a cacophonious allegro!! God bless Nigeria!!! Posted by WaleAkin\| 17.05.2008 17:55

aringaranso aringaranso is offline
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	# 4 The fans call him King and he just did them proud today. He called it the best moment of his life. And I'm happy for him,cos it would have been a different ball game had he miss the second chance. Posted by aringaranso\| 18.05.2008 02:19

aringaranso aringaranso is offline
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	# 5 The fans call him King and he just did them proud today. He called it the best moment of his life. And I'm happy for him,cos it would have been a different ball game had he miss the second chance.But he didn't,was spot on,well-positioned and very fast with the ball. A well deserved victory for Nigeria's most decorated football player. Posted by aringaranso\| 18.05.2008 02:20

Profegee Profegee is offline
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	# 6 Congratulations Kanu! Congratulations Utaka!! Congratulations Portmouth FC!!! What a level of patriotism I see in kanu. It's a great joy seeing Nigerians do exploit in their different fields of human endeavours. My joy knows no bound. Congratulations Nigeria! Posted by Profegee\| 18.05.2008 07:37

Sapele Man Sapele Man is offline
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	# 7 Long reign the King! Posted by Sapele Man\| 18.05.2008 08:09

dele26 dele26 is offline
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	# 8 =Sapele Man;4295019060>Long reign the King! Best to leave the stage when ovation is loudest Kanu, congratulations! But there can not be a better time to exit the stage Posted by dele26\| 18.05.2008 10:46

i-go-better i-go-better is offline
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	# 9 Congrats Kanu, more greese to your very long, effective, meticulous and football-magnetic legs. You missed a sitter but scored a "stander". Our young ones should cultivate proclivity to the qualities exhibited in the Kalus of our Nation instead of cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, drug pushing, thuggery and many other vices that only lead to mothers regreting 9 months of very painful labour. Posted by i-go-better\| 19.05.2008 06:43

Mikky jaga Mikky jaga is offline
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	# 10 Kanu is obviously a lucky chap. Lucky to have survived a life threatening heart problem for so long. Lucky to always be there when it matters most. But, one wonders why he has not been able to transfer the same luck to Super Eagles, even as Captain. He has not scored a single Cup of Nations goal. A jinx? Maybe!! Wishing him a better season ahead, with or without Portsmouth. Posted by Mikky jaga\| 19.05.2008 10:09

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