The FA Cup
Semi-Final
Sunderland v Millwall
04 April 2004
Old Trafford, 1.00pm

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Sunderland

v

Millwall

Manager

Mick McCarthy

  

Dennis Wise

Key Man

Mart Poom

  

Paul Ifil

FA Cup Top Scorer

Tommy Smith 3

  

Tim Cahill 2


Match Preview

Sunderland's fans have flocked to see Cup action this year. The Stadium of Light was packed for the visit of Second Division Hartlepool United, a match which Mick McCarthy's team won 1-0 thanks to Julio Arca's close-range strike.

In the Fourth Round a better all-round performance saw the Black Cats beat Ipswich 2-1 at Portman Road, with Arca once again on hand to steer his side through.

McCarthy's side saved their best performances for the two matches against Birmingham in the Fifth Round. After a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light, Tommy Smith scored twice in extra-time to secure the Black Cats a 2-0 win and a place in the last eight where Tommy Smith's goal was enough to see of Sheffield United.

Millwall won the first three of their FA Cup ties without the need of a replay, though the Lions were pushed to a second match by Tranmere Rovers in the Sixth Round.

Home draws against First Division rivals Wigan and Burnley saw Dennis Wise's side win by a single goal each time before Wise and Ifill scored to enable the Lions to squeeze past non-League Telford. 

In the Sixth Round they were denied victory at the New Den thanks to John Achterberg's penalty save but Tim Cahill and Neil Harris' goals were too much for Brian Little's side.

Team News

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy will be hoping that impressive full-back Stephen Wright will get match fit in time for Sunday's FA Cup Semi-Final. Wright has been out with an ankle injury but could make a timely return for The Cup Semi-Final.

Otherwise Sunderland have a clean bill of health after other absentees Kevin Kyle and John Oster recovered from injury.

Millwall player-boss Dennis Wise has no major injury worries ahead of the Old Trafford showdown with David Livermore the only slight concern after a he suffered an injury to his shin.

Magic Moments

Two extra-time strikes either side of the turn-around from substitute Tommy Smith were Sunderland's highlights of the season as the Black Cats purred into the Sixth Round.

For the away side, Danny Dichio's towering header with twenty minutes left of their Fifth Round game against Burnley was the moment that saw them through to a first quarter-final in 19 years.

Cup Run 2003/04

3rd Round Sunderland 1-0 Hartlepool Millwall 2-1 Walsall
4th Round Ipswich 1-2 Sunderland Telford Utd 0-2 Millwall
5th Round Sunderland 1-1 Birmingham Millwall 1-0 Burnley
replay Birmingham 0-2 Sunderland
6th Round Sunderland 1-0 Sheffield Utd Millwall 0-0 Tranmere Rvs
replay Tranmere Rvs 1-2 Millwall


FA Cup Pedigree

Sunderland last won The Cup under inspirational manager Bob Stokoe, who passed away recently.

The Second Division side beat overwhelming favourites Leeds United 1-0 in the 1973 Final, the 30th-minute goal coming from Ian Porterfield.

The Black Cats reached the Fifth Round last season before being cut down in their stride by Watford and will be hoping for a first appearance in the last four since they reached the Cup Final as a Second Division club in 1992.

Millwall first managed to reach the FA Cup Semi-Finals as a Southern League club when their 1899/1900 run took them past Jarrow, QPR and Aston Villa.

Twice since then the Lions have again got as far as the last four, without ever winning. In 1903 they lost 3-0 to Derby County at Villa Park and in 1937 Sunderland beat them 2-1 at Leeds Road, Huddersfield - but Millwall had become the first Third Division side to reach that stage.

This is their first appearance past the Sixth Round since 1984/85, when Luton Town beat them 1-0 at Kenilworth Road.

Sunderland v Millwall: Past FA Cup Meetings

Year

Round

Result

1937

Semi-Final

 Sunderland 2-1 Millwall