Portsmouth and Cardiff seek FA Cup glory

(CNN) -- Portsmouth and second division underdogs Cardiff provide the most unlikely FA Cup final pairing in years when they meet to decide the winner of the 127th edition of football's oldest competition at Wembley on Saturday.

The final caps a series of upsets which saw the English 'Big Four' of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool fail to progress past the quarterfinals stage.

Portsmouth, who beat English champions Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in their quarterfinal, start as favorites having finished a creditable eighth in the Premier League, but Cardiff will be no pushovers.

They will be at full strength and in 17-year-old Welsh teenager Aaron Ramsey have a likely star in the making, who is bidding to become the youngest FA Cup winner.

Ramsey, an attacking midfielder who scored on his first FA Cup start against non-league Chasetown in the third round, said he was more scared about taking his school exams last year than the thought of playing in the cup final at Wembley.

"It is a really exciting time for us," he told the Associated Press. "I was in the middle of GCSEs (exams) last year. It was more stressful than this. I did all right in the end. I passed 10 out of 11, and only failed biology. This is more fun. It is a lot more enjoyable."

Dave Jones' men also received a late boost when former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler was pronounced fit to play after a long-term hip injury.

Fowler, renowned for his goalscoring prowess, is likely to start on the substitutes' bench with the Cardiff front line being led by former Leeds and Chelsea star Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink

Cardiff will need to be at their attacking best to breach an imposing Portsmouth defense with England international goalkeeper David James, 37, and fellow- veteran Sol Campbell the lynchpins.

Campbell, 33, has formed a fine central defensive partnership with Sylvain Distin and has experience of winning the FA Cup final with former club Arsenal in 2002.

Meanwhile, Pompey manager Harry Redknapp is looking for a reward for his 25 years as a coach, mostly with teams who have performed above their ability, backed up by shrewd dealings in the transfer market.

"Harry has assembled a great side and he can get the best out of players. That is his forte," Campbell told the Associated Press. "Obviously I'm happy he didn't go to Newcastle when he had the chance."

Redknapp was first choice for the north-east giants but turned it down with Kevin Keegan eventually taking over. "He's happy down here, he knows the place inside-out, knows when to push, knows when to hold back. He's a great manager and Saturday will be a great day for him," added Campbell.

Cardiff are the only team from outside England to win the FA Cup, some 81 years ago. Portsmouth will also be aiming for a second FA Cup success to repeat their 1939 win.

The prize for the winners will be a place in the UEFA Cup next season, although if it is Cardiff it will need to be ratified by the English FA because of their Welsh status.

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