by Eleanor Frost
It was a moment that could have changed everything.
Just over 10 minutes into the second half of Pompey’s FA Cup final against Chelsea they won a penalty after Aruna Dindane was felled in the box.
When Kevin-Prince Boateng stepped up he looked confident. But Petr Cech’s feet dashed the hopes of the 25,000 Pompey fans at Wembley.
Three minutes later and Didier Drogba’s 25-yard free-kick won the game for Chlesea.
The anguish was acute for Boateng – and his team-mates were quick to sympathise with their devastated pal.
“He’s got to put it behind him,” Jamie O’Hara said. “Maybe if we had scored that penalty, we could have nicked the win, but it wasn’t meant to be.
“Kevin’s distraught. You’ve could see that straight away. But he’s got to remember he’s had a fantastic season. He’s been brilliant for us and we wouldn’t have been here if it hadn’t have been for him putting in some fantastic performances.
“Kev’s a confident lad, he stepped up and he looked confident but he obviously didn’t strike it how he wanted to – and Cech made a good save. It’s one of those things but it seems these days keepers seem to make more and more penalty saves.”
Pompey’s visit to Wembley also marked what is likely to have been O’Hara’s last match for the Blues, with his loan spell from Tottenham coming to an end.
He had hoped it would finish with a prize – something for the fans to celebrate. But although his departure wasn’t what he wanted it to be, he was delighted to see the fans enjoying their day in the sun.
All season long, the supporters have been phenomenal but at the national stadium they exceeded even their high standards.
After singing relentlessly for 90 minutes, when the final whistle blew they continued – making much more noise than their victorious counterparts in the opposite end of the stadium.
It’s something Jamie will never forget.
He said: “The fans were absolutely fantastic again today. Just amazing.
“I’m always going to remember playing for this club. I’ve enjoyed it and I’ve grown so fond of all the fans here.
“I just want to say thank you to them. They’ve been fantastic to me.
“It’s been a great honour to be able to play in front of such fantastic people. I’m really going to miss playing for them.”