LONDON • Despite English bookmakers installing Manchester City as the 7/19 odds-on favourites ahead of the FA Cup final on May 18, Troy Deeney has the utmost faith his Watford side are "going to show we can beat them".
After achieving mission improbable on Sunday to win a semi-final tie that had looked lost, coming from two goals down to oust Wolves 3-2 in extra time, the captain has every reason to believe the magic of the Cup is very much alive and well this season.
Hailing his team as "special", the club's longest-serving player since joining in 2010 told BT Sport: "We know City are a real formidable team, one of the best in Europe, but it's a one-off game.
"We're coming in with belief, we're not naive enough to think it's going to be easy, but we know this hard work can take us a long way.
"We're not the most talented, but the hard work, the desire, you see it there."
The burly striker got the crucial equaliser in stoppage time, keeping his nerves to ram home his penalty, which was awarded after he was brought down in the box by Belgium defender Leander Dendoncker.
The fightback on Sunday was, however, sparked by Spain winger Gerard Deulofeu, who came off the bench to score a brace, and Deeney paid tribute to his teammate, saying: "Two goals down, many teams would have called it a day. But we kept going, brought the little man on, (he) added his bit of magic and the rest is just hard work."
Ireland wing-back Matt Doherty's first-half opener and a second-half strike from Mexico striker Raul Jimenez, who Deeney called a "loser" for wearing a luchador wrestling mask to celebrate, had seemingly set Wolves on the path to their first FA Cup final since 1960 in a full-blooded tie.
However, it is the Hornets who will head to Wembley for their first Cup final since 1984, with manager Javi Gracia indebted to Deulofeu for taking his "anger" out on Wolves after being dropped from the first XI.
The Spaniard said: "Gerard was angry when we started to play, but I like to see my players with that attitude, when they are angry, to show what they are able to do.
"We knew before the game that Gerard would be important during the game, when more spaces were created.
"His first goal was high quality, but it wasn't a surprise to me because I see him in training."
While the victory sparked joyous scenes among the Watford players and their fans, Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo could only reflect on what might have been.
Admitting it was "a moment of real pain", he lamented the way his team failed to manage the closing minutes of normal time, adding: "It's disappointment, sadness. We had it and it went away from us.
"We realised that extra time would be tougher for us because the momentum was with Watford. What had just happened was difficult to erase from our minds."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE GUARDIAN
(Reuters) - Aston Villa beat Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion 4-3 on penalties to reach the Championship playoff final yesterday after the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate.
Villa into playoff final after shootout win over West Brom
"At times we played really good football but it can, and it must be, a lot better on Sunday," said Van Dijk. "There were times where we did not put enough pressure on them and were sloppy and lost the ball. "Against Germany we can expect a completely different game and we all realise that. We know what we are capable of."
Soccer: Dutch not favourites against struggling Germany - Van
LONDON: Chelsea were given a fright by Slavia Prague in a 4-3 home win on Thursday (Apr 18) that saw them to a 5-3 aggregate victory and a place in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Chelsea reach Europa League semi-finals after beating Slavia
A glut of European football clubs look set to visit China in pre-season, with Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur also committed to coming. Pray for no rain: Man City to return to China after
Pray for no rain: Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to return
EUROPE - Neymar was suspended for three Champions League matches by UEFA on Friday for insulting match officials following Paris Saint-Germain's shock exit from this season's tournament to
Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/04/26/neymar-banned-for-three-champions-league-matches-over-ref-rant/
Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref rant AFP April 26, 2019 AFP No Comments Lausanne (AFP) - Neymar was suspended for three Champions League matches by UEFA on Friday for insulting match officials following Paris Saint-Germain's shock exit from this season's tournament to Manchester United.
Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref
Memphis Depay dazzled for the Netherlands with a brace and two assists as they cruised past Belarus 4-0 in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier on Thursday despite having to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men. Depay set the Dutch on their way just seconds into the match and slotted home a second
PORTO (Reuters) - AS Roma's dramatic Champions League elimination by Porto, thanks to a late penalty awarded with a VAR review, was a "terrible way to go out", PARIS (Reuters) - Manchester
Champions League: FC Porto Go Through With Extra Time VAR
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp maintains the Premier League title has not been decided after watching Manchester City take an "expected" big step towards it. Victory over Manchester United at Old
Jürgen Klopp and the Calm Rebuke of Kyle Walker's Trolling
Warriors v Hougang United LiveStream Short Preview Outsider and one of the leaders will play in this match (ranked 9 and 2 in the zone Promotion to AFC Cup).
Midfield maestros in the spotlight | All My Sports News
allmysportsnews.com/soccer/midfield-maestros-in-the-spotlight/
Their individual brilliance might well be needed given that their March 15 game was a tight affair that ended goal-less after DPMM's Najib Tarif was sent off early in the second half. Both coaches have their opposing danger men well-scouted. Said Albirex coach Keiji Shigetomi: "(Ricciuto) is a good player.
More News from the Web - msn.com
Chelsea are braced for a partial stadium closure in the Europa League after UEFA officially launched an investigation into alleged racist chanting by supporters during the club's 2-2 draw at MOL
Chelsea face partial stadium closure over alleged racist
Paris Saint-Germain shook off their Champions League hangover and resumed their canter towards another French title on Tuesday as they cruised to a 4-0 win in Dijon.
PSG win in 1st outing since Champions League nightmare
Real Madrid's 2019/20 home strip appears to have been leaked through a collection of images which have emerged online - and the design is set to delight Los Blancos fans. The kit features a design
Real Madrid Reportedly Set To Unveil Eden Hazard On Monday
Real Madrid coach praises Bale, calls for patience with Isco - Madrid, Nov 10 : Real Madrids interim coach, Santiago Solari, on Saturday praised Welsh forward Gareth Bale while calling for
Real Madrid coach praises Bale, calls for patience with Isco
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez has vowed to "isolate" his players from politics at the Asian Cup, which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates during a diplomatic crisis between the countries. The tournament represents the first visit by the Qatari national side to the UAE since the beginning of a
Champions League: Donny Van de Beek gives Ajax edge over Tottenham in semi-final Youthful Ajax side, featuring several players polished in the Dutch club's famed academy, were too energetic for a laboured Spurs team who hardly got a kick early on in their first European Cup semi-final for 57 years.
Van de Beek gives Ajax edge over Spurs in semi-final - Al
0 comments:
Post a Comment