Four Players to Watch in the FA Cup Semi-Finals

By: Daryl | April 4th, 2008

Cardiff fans

Twelve months ago the FA Cup semifinals had an air predictability about them. Man Utd beat Watford and Chelsea beat Blackburn with a crushing inevitability that made hard viewing (unless you were a Unitedtd or Blues fan, obviously.)

None of that this weekend. With West Brom vs Portsmouth on Saturday, and Barnsley vs Cardiff City on Sunday, we’re guaranteed at least one Championship team in the final, maybe two. Even if Portsmouth – the only remaining Premier League team – go all the way, then that’s still a pleasant break from the recent big four monopoly that has the likes of Dave Kitson believing the cup is unwinnable for smaller teams.

Here are four players to keep an eye on this weekend, one from each team:

West Brom – Zoltán Gera

The Hungarian attacking midfielder looked impressive while playing for West Brom in the Premiership, especially during the 2004/5 season when the Baggies survived (though only just.) He was then half expected to leave that summer, but stuck around only to see his 2005/6 season blighted by injury and West Brom were relegated. But he’s stayed loyal and is now dazzling defenders in the Championship as WBA chase promotion.

Portsmouth – Nwankwo Kanu

Jermain Defoe is the in-form striker at Portsmouth, but unfortunately for Pompey he’s cup tied. So sparingly used but skillful Nigerian Nwankwo Kanu will lead the attack. Kanu already has two FA Cup winners medals (both with Arsenal) and also spent two seasons at West Brom. Unlike Gera, Kanu left when West Brom were relegated. Kanus’ now much much older than in the following video, but he’s still got all the moves. Enjoy the slo-mo at the end.

Cardiff City – Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink

The well traveled Dutch goal machine is now 36 years old. He was a losing FA Cup semi-finalist with Middlesbrough and a losing finalist with Chelsea. So this is his last shot at an English trophy. Despite his age JFH has still got goals in his boats, as the above belter from the Fifth Round win over Wolves proves.

Barnsley – Luke Steele

The Barnsley keeper helped get his team this far with excellent performances against Liverpool in the 5th Round and Chelsea in the Quarterfinals. But he’s actually on loan from none other than West Brom. So the nightmare scenario for Steele is that Barnsley make the final, but West Brom do as well, meaning the poor lad will have to watch the cup final from the stands as he won’t be allowed to face his parent club in the final. Whoever pays his wages, I’ll bet Steele will be secretly supporting Pompey tomorrow.

And here’s a little reminder of how Barnsley got there. First the legendary reaction to their win over Liverpool…