[90:00] [+12:00]
Unbelievable. I’ve held my hands over my face; jumped, shouted and flailed my arms; shaken my head in disbelief; and been angry at the thought of Australia’s prospects at the World Cup without Harry Kewell.
Win, lose or draw, there was one thing that would have made this FA Cup final a disaster. It happened about two minutes into the second half when Harry Kewell limped off with his recurring groin injury flaring up again. If it’s as bad as this time last year when he limped out of the Champion’s League final in Istanbul, he won’t be playing any games in the World Cup. That is a disaster.
As I write, there are three minutes left in the first 15 minutes of extra time. The scores are locked at 3-3 and Liverpool has somehow, almost miraculously, clawed their way back into this game. To Liverpool’s credit, West Ham’s three goals have been quite lucky. One own goal by Jamie Carragher, a miskicked cross that caught Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina off guard, and a simple mistake by Reina allowed another.
Only one of Liverpool’s goals could also be classed as lucky, a long drive by Steven Gerrard from almost 30 meters out, his second and the game’s equaliser on 90 minutes. Yes, there’s an element of luck involved, but the individual skill of Gerrard is almost unmatched. The first of Liverpool’s goals, by Djibril Cisse, was a first-touch sidefooted strike on the volley off a wonderful cross from the right touchline. This while falling. The second was another thunderous strike by Steven Gerrard that left Shaka Hislop, the West Ham goalkeeper, with no chance at all.
Now, with 12 minutes left of extra time, the players are exhuasted, cramping up and hoping to snatch a winner before penalties are needed to decide the winner of the 125th FA Cup final.
I love it.
[90:00] [+28:00]
Despite a couple of bad mistakes during the game, Pepe Reina saves a goalbound kick by tipping the ball onto the inside edge of the Liverpool goalpost. A mistimed attempted clearance by Sami Hyypia falls to a West Ham player, Harewood, who five minutes earlier badly twisted his ankle and has been limping since. From two meters out he puts all his weight on the twisted ankle and takes a swing at a free ball and a near open goalmouth. The shot is wide left and he misses the chance to be West Ham’s FA Cup winning hero. It’s on to penalties.
Penalties
- Dietmar Hamann puts the first penalty away. Liverpool 1-0
- Pepe Reina saves. Liverpool 1-0
- Shaka Hislop saves for West Ham. Liverpool 1-0
- Teddy Sherringham scores. Liverpool 1- West Ham 1
- Steven Gerrard scores. Liverpool 2-1
- Pepe Reina saves. Liverpool 2-1
- John Arne Riise scores. Liverpool 3-1
- Pepe Reina saves! Liverpool 3-1
A hat-trick of penalty saves by Pepe Reina and Liverpool win! In last year’s Champion’s League they came back from 3-0 down at half-time to level at 3-3 on the back of an inspirational performance by Steven Gerrard - then won on penalties. Today they come back to equalise 3-3 in the final minute of regular time and go on to win on penalties with a man-of-the match performance by captain Steven Gerrard. Ahhhh. First the elation, now wait for the news on Harry Kewell’s injury.
It’s 3.15 am, with Mother’s Day breakfast in four hours, so I’ll be off now.
2 comments ↓
According to Dan’s blog, Josh rules. Sounds right to me.
Your comment initially went to spam. Now I’ve approved it, despite the fact that i DISAPPROVE. And how.
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