Match report Cardiff v Liverpool Carlin Cup
Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:25 pm
Apologise for the late report. It has taken me a few days to recover and work what all this means. I don’t think I have worked it out.
I drove down the M1 and stopped off at one of the services where there were quite a number of coaches all with the Liverpool flags hanging from them. On the motorway I overtook loads of Liverpool flying flag cars. Can't honestly say I have ever felt the odd one out going to a game. We really were up against it I felt as I arrived at the forum selected pub at Ruislip
So a few pints in the pub with my beloved Cardiff fans and I started to feel a bit more confident again. It was great to be introduced to Sam the man, although I felt he looked nervous amongst us. I'm sure the welcome he got would diminish that.
To get to Wembley we all caught the tube to Wembley Park. We were joined by a small number of Liverpool fans who like me on the M1 looked overawed by our support. We sang "Follow us, we have been there before" to the Scousers on the station platform who must have felt rarer belittled being shown up by a championship club. Will they ever be able to show their faces again?
So after continuing the singing on the tube train we finally arrived at Wembley Way again. This place has not changed since our last visit I thought, not many fans of a club can say that can they.
I had my apprehensions about the Cardiff support after our last visit against Blackpool. However that soon disappeared as I looked down from the upper tier to see a few blocks below me doing the Ayatollah. This was followed by us up in the heavens and to the on looking Liverpool supporters it must have been a daunting site. Mission accomplished Saddles.
The players walked onto the pitch and the lump in the throat was there again. Heaton defended the goal in front of us and it felt special when he applauded us. Right I thought the good bits are over now let's get behind the team and put on a good performance that we can be proud of. No one with Cardiff in them were going to let the club down.
Liverpools first attack could have changed that straight off. A move down the right as we looked ended with the ball hitting the Cardiff crossbar. That brought a fear amongst us Cardiff fans but that was the end of the apprehension. Although Liverpool dominated the play in the early stages it was Cardiff who went close when a move down the left found Whittingham who set up Miller. Unfortunately the striker, just outside the area skied the ball over the bar.
The Scousers dominated the game for the first 20 minutes it must be said but also it must be highlighted that after hitting the crossbar in the first minutes they then failed to test Heaton. Most of Liverpools attack came down the right side against MacNaughton the finishing product was poor.
The Merseysiders paid a big penalty for this when Cardiff took a surprise lead. Miller picked the ball up just outside the Reds area and split their defence open picking out Mason. The youngster was confronted by the onrushing Liverpool keeper but he kept his cool and slide the ball under the advancing goalie. Although the ball looked like it was going in the Cardiff fans waited for it to hit the back of the net. The disbelief became belief and Cardiff fans celebrated like they have never done before.
For the rest of the half Liverpool looked for the equaliser. They had most of the possession but really failed to break down the Cardiff defence. Heaton was forced to make a couple of saves but they were not exactly heartbreaking moments. Cardiff looked solid in defence and the midfield held their own against a high profile team that included some prominent players. Someone had to remind me they had a player called Gerrard playing for them. This guy is apparently some icon in one of the greatest teams ever yet everyone was saying "who".
As the game approached half time Liverpool were awarded a free kick about 10 yards outside the Cardiff area. From the kick the ball was floated in to an unmarked £400 million striker who needs a haircut. The waste of money could only head the ball straight into Heatons arms. With all that space I could have scored.
The half came to an end and against all odds Cardiff were leading. I have never felt so proud during a halt time interval.
The second half started with Cardiff nearly doubling their lead. Miller was set up again just inside the Liverpool area but this time could only shoot wide.
As the game progressed the nerves started to play on the Cardiff hearts. Every Liverpool attack you could feel the tension. The Cardiff defence held their own and Heaton responded when he had to. Could we hang on for a famous victory?
The on 58 minutes Bellamy came on for the Liverpool. The feelings amongst Cardiff fans were positive to him. Sadly he did not do the Ayatollah which in a way was expected as his team looked like they could go down in history as a failure.
Sadly it was not long after he came on that Liverpool got back into the game. From a corner a Liverpool head sent the ball against the post. The ball rebounded back to a waiting Liverpool foot that slammed the ball between Heatons.
Now the feeling amongst the Cardiff was let's get to near the 90 minutes and see if we can pinch it like it happens in the movies.
Liverpool continued to dominate possession but failed to really trouble Heaton. The Cardiff defence were awesome. I have got to admit as the game approach the 90 minutes I could not watch as Liverpool attacked.
As the game neared the 90 minutes mark Cardiff were still in it. In fact they looked like they had a goal in themselves and nearly pulled it off with 3 minutes to go. Miller made a fantastic run into space and was picked out. With only the keeper to beat the Scotsman could only blast the ball over the net.
The referee blew for full time and the prised amongst the Cardiff supporters could be felt.
As the game restarted for extra time Liverpool attacked the Cardiff end. They won a concession of corners of which Bellamy took them on the right. When he went to take his first corner he gave in to doing the Ayatollah in front of the Cardiff. Better late than never.
Now of all the chances Liverpool produced in the first half of extra time the one everyone will remember is when form 18 yards out Bellamy sent the ball well over the bar. Done on purpose or not….will we ever know.
The score remained 1-1 as the game went into the second half of extra time. Liverpool. Then Liverpool git the luck they need to break Cardiff hearts. The ball ricocheted in the Cardiff area and fell to a Liverpool player who seemed to slip as he shot. However he caught the ball cleanly, surprising Heaton to give the Scousers the lead.
The feeling amongst the Cardiff fans was well we gave it a go. Well the Cardiff players did not seem to think that and went for an equaliser. The Cardiff fans expected to see Liverpool see the game out but were pleasantly surprised as their heroes went for it.
The fans responded as everyone was on a high. You could see each block encouraging other blocks to get behind the team. A number of fans said their hearts could not take anymore but no one was going anywhere.
As the game went into the last 10 minutes it was all Cardiff. They won a number of corners and from one the ball was cleared of the line. Cardiff arms went up in hope but had to settle for another corner. From the resulting corner Whittingham sent a typical teasing cross in that the Liverpool keeper struggled to handle. The ball was again cleared of the line but Turner was there to slide the ball between the keepers legs. I saw the ball cross the line and then became part of a celebration that will go down in Cardiff history.
No Cardiff fan privileged to be there will ever forget this moment, never.
Cardiff held out for the draw but sadly lost out on a penalty shootout. Who would have believed it was have been a lottery that denied us. Getting to that lottery was a major achievement.
I travelled back up the M1 and stopped off at one of the service stations for something to eat. It was full of Liverpool and there was me wearing my Cardiff coat with pride. I looked at the Liverpool faces and they looked very relieved. I don't think they will want ot be playing us in the near future.
Well done to the Cardiff players and well done to all the Cardiff fans there. We were simple awesome.
I drove down the M1 and stopped off at one of the services where there were quite a number of coaches all with the Liverpool flags hanging from them. On the motorway I overtook loads of Liverpool flying flag cars. Can't honestly say I have ever felt the odd one out going to a game. We really were up against it I felt as I arrived at the forum selected pub at Ruislip
So a few pints in the pub with my beloved Cardiff fans and I started to feel a bit more confident again. It was great to be introduced to Sam the man, although I felt he looked nervous amongst us. I'm sure the welcome he got would diminish that.
To get to Wembley we all caught the tube to Wembley Park. We were joined by a small number of Liverpool fans who like me on the M1 looked overawed by our support. We sang "Follow us, we have been there before" to the Scousers on the station platform who must have felt rarer belittled being shown up by a championship club. Will they ever be able to show their faces again?
So after continuing the singing on the tube train we finally arrived at Wembley Way again. This place has not changed since our last visit I thought, not many fans of a club can say that can they.
I had my apprehensions about the Cardiff support after our last visit against Blackpool. However that soon disappeared as I looked down from the upper tier to see a few blocks below me doing the Ayatollah. This was followed by us up in the heavens and to the on looking Liverpool supporters it must have been a daunting site. Mission accomplished Saddles.
The players walked onto the pitch and the lump in the throat was there again. Heaton defended the goal in front of us and it felt special when he applauded us. Right I thought the good bits are over now let's get behind the team and put on a good performance that we can be proud of. No one with Cardiff in them were going to let the club down.
Liverpools first attack could have changed that straight off. A move down the right as we looked ended with the ball hitting the Cardiff crossbar. That brought a fear amongst us Cardiff fans but that was the end of the apprehension. Although Liverpool dominated the play in the early stages it was Cardiff who went close when a move down the left found Whittingham who set up Miller. Unfortunately the striker, just outside the area skied the ball over the bar.
The Scousers dominated the game for the first 20 minutes it must be said but also it must be highlighted that after hitting the crossbar in the first minutes they then failed to test Heaton. Most of Liverpools attack came down the right side against MacNaughton the finishing product was poor.
The Merseysiders paid a big penalty for this when Cardiff took a surprise lead. Miller picked the ball up just outside the Reds area and split their defence open picking out Mason. The youngster was confronted by the onrushing Liverpool keeper but he kept his cool and slide the ball under the advancing goalie. Although the ball looked like it was going in the Cardiff fans waited for it to hit the back of the net. The disbelief became belief and Cardiff fans celebrated like they have never done before.
For the rest of the half Liverpool looked for the equaliser. They had most of the possession but really failed to break down the Cardiff defence. Heaton was forced to make a couple of saves but they were not exactly heartbreaking moments. Cardiff looked solid in defence and the midfield held their own against a high profile team that included some prominent players. Someone had to remind me they had a player called Gerrard playing for them. This guy is apparently some icon in one of the greatest teams ever yet everyone was saying "who".
As the game approached half time Liverpool were awarded a free kick about 10 yards outside the Cardiff area. From the kick the ball was floated in to an unmarked £400 million striker who needs a haircut. The waste of money could only head the ball straight into Heatons arms. With all that space I could have scored.
The half came to an end and against all odds Cardiff were leading. I have never felt so proud during a halt time interval.
The second half started with Cardiff nearly doubling their lead. Miller was set up again just inside the Liverpool area but this time could only shoot wide.
As the game progressed the nerves started to play on the Cardiff hearts. Every Liverpool attack you could feel the tension. The Cardiff defence held their own and Heaton responded when he had to. Could we hang on for a famous victory?
The on 58 minutes Bellamy came on for the Liverpool. The feelings amongst Cardiff fans were positive to him. Sadly he did not do the Ayatollah which in a way was expected as his team looked like they could go down in history as a failure.
Sadly it was not long after he came on that Liverpool got back into the game. From a corner a Liverpool head sent the ball against the post. The ball rebounded back to a waiting Liverpool foot that slammed the ball between Heatons.
Now the feeling amongst the Cardiff was let's get to near the 90 minutes and see if we can pinch it like it happens in the movies.
Liverpool continued to dominate possession but failed to really trouble Heaton. The Cardiff defence were awesome. I have got to admit as the game approach the 90 minutes I could not watch as Liverpool attacked.
As the game neared the 90 minutes mark Cardiff were still in it. In fact they looked like they had a goal in themselves and nearly pulled it off with 3 minutes to go. Miller made a fantastic run into space and was picked out. With only the keeper to beat the Scotsman could only blast the ball over the net.
The referee blew for full time and the prised amongst the Cardiff supporters could be felt.
As the game restarted for extra time Liverpool attacked the Cardiff end. They won a concession of corners of which Bellamy took them on the right. When he went to take his first corner he gave in to doing the Ayatollah in front of the Cardiff. Better late than never.
Now of all the chances Liverpool produced in the first half of extra time the one everyone will remember is when form 18 yards out Bellamy sent the ball well over the bar. Done on purpose or not….will we ever know.
The score remained 1-1 as the game went into the second half of extra time. Liverpool. Then Liverpool git the luck they need to break Cardiff hearts. The ball ricocheted in the Cardiff area and fell to a Liverpool player who seemed to slip as he shot. However he caught the ball cleanly, surprising Heaton to give the Scousers the lead.
The feeling amongst the Cardiff fans was well we gave it a go. Well the Cardiff players did not seem to think that and went for an equaliser. The Cardiff fans expected to see Liverpool see the game out but were pleasantly surprised as their heroes went for it.
The fans responded as everyone was on a high. You could see each block encouraging other blocks to get behind the team. A number of fans said their hearts could not take anymore but no one was going anywhere.
As the game went into the last 10 minutes it was all Cardiff. They won a number of corners and from one the ball was cleared of the line. Cardiff arms went up in hope but had to settle for another corner. From the resulting corner Whittingham sent a typical teasing cross in that the Liverpool keeper struggled to handle. The ball was again cleared of the line but Turner was there to slide the ball between the keepers legs. I saw the ball cross the line and then became part of a celebration that will go down in Cardiff history.
No Cardiff fan privileged to be there will ever forget this moment, never.
Cardiff held out for the draw but sadly lost out on a penalty shootout. Who would have believed it was have been a lottery that denied us. Getting to that lottery was a major achievement.
I travelled back up the M1 and stopped off at one of the service stations for something to eat. It was full of Liverpool and there was me wearing my Cardiff coat with pride. I looked at the Liverpool faces and they looked very relieved. I don't think they will want ot be playing us in the near future.
Well done to the Cardiff players and well done to all the Cardiff fans there. We were simple awesome.
Re: Match report Cardiff v Liverpool Carlin Cup
Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:31 pm
Thanks, that was quality.
Re: Match report Cardiff v Liverpool Carlin Cup
Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:32 pm
Ian 
Brilliant, that's all I can say
Brilliant, that's all I can say