After 19 years of heart ache, anti-climax and self-inflicted pain Aberdeen have lifted in front of a magnificent Red Army following a piece of silverware. In what was a pretty drab game as both teams cancelled out each other the Dons prevailed winning 4-2 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes. Aberdeen were a shadow of some of the performances they have put in during the course of this season so far and perhaps it was the occasion that stunted the free flowing attacking football the club has become use to seeing since, McInnes came in. However ask any Aberdeen fan and they will not care in the slightest how they won the Scottish League Cup Trophy, as long as they got over that finish line. At the end of the day it is your clubs name on the trophy, not the match report or scoreline!
As Celtic park was packed to the rafters with 51,000 expecting supporters, the players took to the field. Aberdeen had planned a wonderful tifo which was a sight to behold for all. It read "19-03, THE DONS". Credit to all who planned and set it up. It truly was a red sea out there.
There was a set back for the Aberdeen fans even before the game kicked off as the team sheet was released. Pawlett was out, due to failing a fitness test earlier on which was a blow for the Dons as the youngster is a key player in the team. The game kicked off as the crowd roared on Aberdeen right from the off. That roar suddenly died to silence though as in the opening seconds, Hayes jumped up challenging for a header and fell awkwardly on his shoulder which forced him off after only a minute. The emotion was clearly running high for the winger as his eyes began to well up as he left the field, his part in this final was over. Smith came on in place of Hayes.
That substitution seemed to unsettle both sets of players as Aberdeen now lacked pace going forward while Inverness seemed to continue with their game plan of sitting in and limiting the Dons to long ranged efforts. The first opening for Aberdeen came on the 20 minute mark. A brilliant ball into the box was met by the head of Cammy Smith who's header fell kindly to Anderson as the ball sat up. Anderson superbly wrapped his foot around the ball volleying the ball towards goal. It looked certain to go in but smashed of the post and was then cleared off the line by Foran. A missed chance for Aberdeen. A let off for Caley. The Aberdeen support rallied to that foray forward and the noise began to rise to a unified roar. Moments later the Dons won a corner which after a cross from Robson was knocked down by Anderson to Rooney. The ball was just inches too far ahead of the striker so as he stretched to poke the ball into the net his effort was touched over the bar.
Foran was obviously up for the game but the way he plays at time he comes across as rash and small minded as he took out Barry Robson several times before receiving the games first yellow card. Aberdeen were poking and prodding at the Caley defence but could not find that break through. The Dons fans were then up in arms at the referee as star man Rooney was upended in the box by Inverness defender Meekings. His standing leg was totally swiped away and was a stonewall penalty, however the man in the middle waved play on. After an exciting 15 minutes the game died down into a lull on the pitch but off it the fans were still in full voice.
As the second half got underway it was Anderson that fired the first shot of the half in at goal but it was well over. The Dons skipper seemed to be everywhere on the pitch at once and was putting in the performance of a lifetime as he made two goal saving tackles in succession ans what brilliant challenges they were. The captain was leading by example. The game then once again was reduced to next to no chances as Aberdeen had all the possession with the Inverness players sitting behind the ball. Both managers then began to look at their benches for somebody to light up this final. 40,000 Dons fans had their hearts in their mouths when what looked like a simple catch for Langfield was spilled by the keeper in his box, luckily for the Dons number 1 Anderson was there to clear once again.
The tension was visibly growing as both teams looked for that winning goal as the game slipped into the final twenty minutes. Jack had a long range effort on goal in the 77th minute which dipped and swerved causing all kinds of trouble for Brill in the Caley goal. Rooney was close to getting the rebound. Then the Chance of the game fell to McGinn in the last minute. A poor back pass from Tansey allowed McGinn to drive in at goal, he hurdled on challenge but his shot was wayward much to the disgust of the Dons fans, this one was going to extra time.
Extra time saw no action but substitutions and dire free kicks. Several horrendous free kicks were ballooned over the bar by their respective takers. Vernon came on for Considine as McInne looked to win the game but must have had the thought of penalties at the back of his mind. So to penalties.
They were to be taken in front of the Inverness fans with Caley first up. McKay their on form man was the man to step for the first penalty of the afternoon. He missed as Langfield made a wonderful save to deny him. The red end of the ground cheered that louder than a goal. It was Robson for the Dons and he converted brilliantly. Next it was Tansey for Caley and he sent his penalty flying miles over the bar. Surely Aberdeen could not chuck it away from here. Lo then stepped up to make it 2-0 and enhance the Dons' advantage. Ross scored Inverness' third penalty but first goal while Vernon slipped home Aberdeen's third spot kick putting them 3-1 up. Doran kept his cool to put the pressure on Rooney to win the league cup! He did the Dons had won the league cup final 4-2 on penalties, the celebrations commenced as the Red Army were ecstatic to say the least in the background!
FT: Aberdeen 0-0 Inverness AET
Aberdeen win 4-2 on penalties
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