The Bluebirds host Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup First Round at Cardiff City Stadium this evening, kicking off at 7:45pm.
With a rich history stretching back between the two sides, tonight's game will not be the first time that the clubs have met at this stage of the competition.
Cardiff City vs. Portsmouth - tickets here!
This last occurred in the 1995/96 season when Kenny Hibbitt’s Cardiff City side drew Pompey for a two-legged fixture in the opening round, the first of which was at Fratton Park. Despite Portsmouth being a Division One (now the Championship) and City two leagues lower, it was the Bluebirds who ran out victorious with a 2-0 away win. The goals came courtesy of Carl Dale (pictured above) and Tony Bird.
Just six days later, City took on Pompey again for the second leg, this time at Ninian Park. A single goal from forward Dale settled the match and gave City an aggregate score of 3-0 as they comfortably progressed to the next stage.
The two teams have met each other a further six more times since then. This includes in 2008 when City unluckily missed out on winning the FA Cup at Wembley. To this day, that match holds the record highest attendance at the new Wembley Stadium with 89,874 in the packed out crowd.
City met Portsmouth in the league for the first time in 25 years when the English side were relegated from the Premier League after the 2009/10 season. A Hayden Mullins own goal as well as a Jay Bothroyd finish meant that the three points returned to the Welsh Capital in August 2010.
The reverse fixture was no different as City once again claimed the three points. The Bluebirds ran out as 3-0 winners with goals coming from Seyi Olofinjana, Jay Bothroyd and Peter Whittingham.
Our last meeting with Portsmouth was in the 2011/12 season.This occurred in South Wales either side of the successful League Cup semi-final ties against Crystal Palace. Captained by Mark Hudson, City won the highly competitive league fixture 3-2 with a last minute 35-yard strike from Craig Conway. Scottish forward Kenny Miller gave Cardiff the lead before Portsmouth equalised with Marco Futács tapping in at close range. Current Bluebird Greg Halford gave the Hampshire side a 2-1 lead after he also finished from close range. However, the City skipper headed in to level before Conway dramatically hit a ferocious winner in added time.
A pre-season friendly with Pompey this summer wasn’t to be, as it was confirmed we had drawn Kenny Jackett’s side in the Carabao Cup. Cardiff City supporters will now be looking forward to the fixture to continue the historic links with the tonight's visitors.
