UEFA Cup - Opening night joy for Portsmouth

Eurosport - Fri, 19 Sep 08:17:00 2008

Portsmouth won their first match in major European competition with an exhilarating 2-0 win over Portuguese side Guimaraes at Fratton Park.

FOOTBALL 2008/09 UEFA Cup Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe scores the second against Guimaraes - 0

Fans of Harry Redknapp's side will have high expectations of European nights from now on after a match that had a wonderful atmosphere, outstanding performances all over the pitch, penalties missed at both ends and excellent goals from Lassana Diarra and Jermain Defoe.

Fratton Park is known for its boisterous and passionate crowd, and the Portsmouth faithful were in full voice from start to finish, making it hard to believe that they were in a ground that holds just over 20,000 spectators.

They were rewarded for their commitment when Diarra scored the club's first goal in European competition on 39 minutes.

After beating two men on the left wing the Frenchman cut inside and played a one-two with Defoe, and the return pass sat up perfectly for Diarra to strike a crisp side-footed half-volley into the top corner.

Hampshire hearts were almost broken just two minutes later when German referee Knut Kircher harshly gave the visitors a penalty after he adjudged Sol Campbell to have hauled down striker Roberto in the box.

Campbell looked mystified as he received his yellow card, but that frustration quickly turned to relief as midfielder Joao Paulo Farjado saw his penalty clip the crossbar and land in the crowd.

Justice appeared to be served in the eyes of the home support early in the second half as Portsmouth won a penalty of their own after Guimaraes captain Moreno tripped Defoe.

The England striker grabbed the ball and stepped up to take to spot-kick himself, but his low effort was ideally placed for Nilson to pull off the save.

Defoe did eventually find the net and give Portsmouth a two-goal cushion on the hour mark.

Armand Traore rolled a ball down the left wing for the overlapping Nadir Belhadj to curl in a wonderful inviting cross that the unmarked Defoe volleyed in without breaking stride at the far post.

Although they had some spells of good attacking play, Guimaraes barely forced a save from Portsmouth goalkeeper David James all evening, and the Portuguese side look to have their work cut out when they host Redknapp's men for the return leg.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport

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  1. My 5 year old son went to watch pompey with his dad for­ the first time, He had his picture taken with his idol­ david james and was interviewed on the quay, he­ predicted 2-0 the score, he was right and had the time­ of his life.
    PLAY UP POMPEY. YOUR THE BEST.

    From michael9carroll, on Fri 19 Sep 8:42PM

  2. After 30 years of supporting the Blues, and seeing­ mostly dross, I can say I saw them in Europe.

    Even if­ we lose the second leg 3-0 (which won't happen) I­ can tell my daughter when she gets older that I was­ there, and that for me means everything.

    Thanks Harry­ and the boys, you made this 36 year old man cry like a­ baby again just like at Wembley in May!

    From pompey_bob, on Fri 19 Sep 8:52AM

  3. I'm a Boscombe supporter but congratulate 'ARRY­ and the boys. We got 'arry, arry Redknap on the­ wing, etc.

    From paul, on Fri 19 Sep 8:26AM

  4. WHERE WAS CROUCH WHAT A WASTE OF £11 MILLION , I RATE­ HARRY THE RED BUT WHAT A BAD BUY , HAS HE SCORED YET ?I­ DOUBT IT HES THE WORST HEADER OF A BALL IVE SEEN SHOULD­ STICK TO ROBOTICS THE PRAT

    From michael d, on Fri 19 Sep 7:55AM

  5. WAS CROUCH THE PROLIFIC SCORER PLAYING ?

    From michael d, on Fri 19 Sep 7:49AM

  6. There is a good Team spirit at Pompy which has been­ there for a long time. With Sir Harry at the helm and­ core players like James , Cambell,ect; long serving­ players such as Linvoy Primus .and old players like­ Mick Mellows in the wings, Plus terrific Supporters­ Ports mouth are worthy Ambassadors for the Sport .Long­ may they Lead by example.of True Sportsmanship.You have­ a wonderful TEAM. and a beautiful City .Three CHEERS­ for PORTSMOUTH. Lewis Lincolnshire

    From Lewis, on Fri 19 Sep 5:26AM

  7. We are the best in everything. Fans , passion , ground­ , everything. Play up Pompey

    From mario_smmt, on Fri 19 Sep 5:03AM

  8. i live here in the philippines and my home is­ portsmouth so its great to see the win , and all my­ philippine friends our die hard pompey fans as they­ seen the games now they perfer pompey than basketball ,­ so from all here on the philippines play up pompey .

    From Chris, on Fri 19 Sep 4:10AM

  9. PLAY UP POMPEY DO URSELVES PROUD LIKE ANY FAN KNOWS U­ CAN TURN FRATTON PARK IN TO A FORTRESS HARRY DESERVES A­ EUROPEAN CUP SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENGLAND BOSS BFORE THE­ WALLY WITH THE BROLLY

    From Danny P, on Fri 19 Sep 12:52AM

  10. So pleased for Portsmouth - hope you go on and on in­ this cup, WELL DONE!!!
    (I support Middlesbrough and­ Real Madrid for my sins lol)

    From bettyboopdawn, on Thu 18 Sep 10:07PM

  11. OOPS! That should have been Heaven' not­ 'Heavan', silly me!

    From Lord Dambo of Purbrookshire, on Thu 18 Sep 10:02PM

  12. 'HEAVANS LIGHT OUR GUIDE'

    PLAY UP POMPEY,­ POMPEY PLAY UP!
    PLAY UP POMPEY, POMPEY PLAY UP!

    Does­ anyone else fancy a bit of Frattonization?!

    From Lord Dambo of Purbrookshire, on Thu 18 Sep 9:24PM

  13. And to think...Pompey have been even better­ 'away' of recent times; Roll on the away leg.­ PLAY UP POMPEY!

    From GARY, on Thu 18 Sep 9:22PM

  14. GREAT POMPEEEEEEY. WELLDONE!! MY VOICE IS HOARSE­ NOW,BUT I DON'T MIND. WELL DONE HARRY, WELL DONE­ THE BLUE ARMY

    Ugbo

    From JAMES, on Thu 18 Sep 9:13PM

  15. hail Pompey in 1st ever Euro match. fantastik display.­ I LOVE POMPEY ... and POMPEY FANS TOO.

    UGBO

    From JAMES, on Thu 18 Sep 9:10PM

  16. I must say Pompey looked right at home in their first­ European adventure, Armand Traore and Belhadj were­ outstanding tonight, an exciting match and thoroughly­ deserved win, well done Harry, well done Pompey

    PUP

    From graham p, on Thu 18 Sep 8:55PM

  17. Chelsea Fan here, the team after chelsea that i want to­ see win is Portsmouth and middlesborogh , Both of you­ teams play great football and hope you can have a great­ run in Europe. Cheers :D

    From ABU_M_24, on Thu 18 Sep 8:52PM

  18. PLAY UP PORTSMOUTH. WELL DONE HARRY

    From gdglover, on Thu 18 Sep 8:41PM

  19. Pompey in Europe. It still doesn't sound right to­ me. Looks like we belong there after tonight though. ­ A great team performance, and Harry has done it again­ by 'discovering' Belhadj. The Future is bright­ the future is blue and gold.

    From Ace, on Thu 18 Sep 8:32PM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    red army!!

    From ryanmcmhn, on Thu 18 Sep 8:27PM
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