Let’s make it wonder weekend

Apr 5 2008 by Paul Abbandonato, Western Mail

WALES’ leading teams stand on the threshold of sporting history on what could be a memorable 24-hour Welsh Wonder Weekend for the nation.

Cardiff City are determined to follow up the huge hype by beating Barnsley at Wembley tomorrow afternoon to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 1927.

Roberto Martinez’s Swansea City will start celebrating promotion to the Championship at 4.40pm today if they beat Bournemouth at the Liberty Stadium and rivals Doncaster lose.

To keep the sporting buzz going, the Ospreys and Blues are looking to make it a memorable Welsh rugby one-two by reaching the Heineken Cup semis.

Bluebirds boss Dave Jones knows the eyes of the British nation are on his team, as Cardiff prepare for arguably their biggest game in 81 years.

Jones hit back at the claims from Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson about the FA Cup being devalued by the semi-finals being held at Wembley.

“If you’re one of the bigger clubs who are getting there year in year out, then it does take a little bit away because the final is the last game of the competition that everybody wants to go to,” said Jones.

“But it’s great for clubs like ourselves to go and play at Wembley.

“The Welsh people want to go across the border and make a lot of noise in England. There is that sort of patriotism that they have.”

Jones continued, “I think this year has proved the FA Cup is kicking.

“Somebody said Sir Alex is only thinking about the Champions League and the Premiership and the FA Cup was a second priority.

“But, if you asked him when he lost to Portsmouth, he wasn’t too pleased. I’m sure he would want to be here because he wants to win everything.”

The Swans are hoping for a memorable day of their own this afternoon by clinching promotion ... and that they eventually go on to lift the League One trophy, above right, at Carlisle on Tuesday night.

Martinez purred, “It would be a big mistake for us to play the occasion, but the fans should start dreaming.

“We will be keeping a close eye on Doncaster’s result at Huddersfield, but we will focus very much on the three points we need ourselves against Bournemouth.”

The Ospreys and Blues are also determined to do their bit to make it a real Welsh Wonder Weekend by making it a European rugby double.

The star-studded Ospreys are red-hot favourites to overcome Saracens, No 2 Sean Holley saying, “We know we are on the brink of something and we realise the prize at the end of Sunday’s match. Let’s bring it on.

“It’s nice to have people saying we can win the cup.”

Blues boss David Young boomed, “Let’s hope ourselves and the Bluebirds win this weekend to make it a very special day for the capital.”