|
Post by mattmightsay on May 17, 2003 20:29:25 GMT -5
ROBERT Pires scored the only goal of the FA Cup final today as defending champion Arsenal beat Southampton 1-0 to become the first team for 21 years to win the famous trophy two seasons in a row. The Frenchman struck seven minutes before halftime as injury-hit Arsenal, who lost its Premier League title to Manchester United, gained the consolation of winning soccer's oldest cup competition for the ninth time in its record 16th final. Veteran England goalkeeper David Seaman, captain of the team in the absence of injured Patrick Vieira, ensured Arsenal's victory when he pushed a shot from Brett Ormerod over the top seven minutes from the end. Ashley Cole cleared a header from James Beattie off the line in the fifth minute of injury time. But Arsenal should have been three goals ahead by then, Henry going close at least three times and Saints defenders twice clearing off the line. The final was the first in the competition's long history to be played "indoors", officials deciding to close the Millennium Stadium roof because of heavy rain. But the Gunners, who hammered Southampton 6-1 10 days ago, went ahead seven minutes before halftime. Ray Parlour played the ball inside to Henry who slipped it neatly out to Bergkamp. The Dutchman fed the ball to Ljungberg whose shot was blocked but rebounded to the unmarked Pires. He needed just one touch before firing home from 10 metres for his 16th goal of the season. The goal sparked Arsenal into more raids on the Saints goal and two shots by Denis Bergkamp were blocked close to the line with the Gunners just unable to get hold of the rebounds. Saints were forced to make a goalkeeping change in the 65th minute when Antti Niemi tore a calf muscle in his right leg while making a clearance. Welsh international Paul Jones took over in the stadium where his national team plays its home games. Seven minutes from the end, Saints almost drew level when Ormerod collected a pass from Tessem on his chest and fired a powerful close range drive which Seaman pushed over the bar with an reflex-action save. The game was in the fifth minute of injury time when Saints won a series of corners and Beattie, who was otherwise shut out of the game by the Arsenal defence, met a corner with a strong header only for Cole to clear the ball off the line. cheers : heraldsun.news.com.au
|
|
|
Post by daysleeper on May 17, 2003 21:58:35 GMT -5
pretty good game - better than most FA cup finals. Arsenal deserved it
|
|
Matt S
Oasis Roadie
Feelin Soopersonic
Posts: 182
|
Post by Matt S on May 18, 2003 14:24:26 GMT -5
worst final since 1996 i thought.
|
|
wormbrain
Oasis Roadie
One man band , Clapping in the pouring rain
Posts: 132
|
Post by wormbrain on May 18, 2003 17:26:50 GMT -5
1996 cup final was a classic! I can still see Phill Babb dodging the ball on the line
The best cup final for ages was when Liverpool beat Arsenal , even if it had an unsatisfactory conclusion...
|
|
Matt S
Oasis Roadie
Feelin Soopersonic
Posts: 182
|
Post by Matt S on May 18, 2003 17:38:37 GMT -5
The best cup final for ages was when Liverpool beat Arsenal , even if it had an unsatisfactory conclusion... I agree ;D and no, 1996 was a shit final. Both teams played shite and the team i love lost to the team i hate.
|
|
wormbrain
Oasis Roadie
One man band , Clapping in the pouring rain
Posts: 132
|
Post by wormbrain on May 18, 2003 17:58:06 GMT -5
1995 was a crap game , but it was a good final because Everton won it , it is rare for the cup final to be enjoyable
|
|
|
Post by daysleeper on May 18, 2003 21:15:49 GMT -5
true - most finals are very poor but i thought this one was comparably a lot better than recent ones, even though it was'nt a great game. that 1996 final was the worst. it was built up soo much. i liked the result though Cantona's goal was the only decent thing in the match. oh man - remember Eric Cantona? that man was a genius! loved him! he had his own style which was just fantastic to watch. Theres so many legendary players who have retired now or will do soon. Cantona, Gascoigne, Le Tissier (Le God), Waddle, Schmeichal. and on the international scene theres Hagi, Stoichkov, Boban, Suker. I loved the croatian team of 98. Dennis Bergkamp's goal against Argentina in 98 is my all time fave goal! 3 sublime touches. it was stunning ok enough reminiscing ;D
|
|
NoelyG
Oasis Roadie
Posts: 434
|
Post by NoelyG on May 20, 2003 10:37:17 GMT -5
Na the cup finals always boring. Credit to the Saints though they played there hearts out. Unlucky not to equalise at the end through Beattie. The young lad Beard was quality seen as it was his second game. I cant believe Henry was man of the match though he was quiet by his standards.
|
|