Rio Ferdinand: Attempted penalty save against Pompey was 'worst dive ever'

Rio Ferdinand labelled his attempt to save Sulley Muntari's penalty which took Pompey into 2008 FA Cup semi-finals as the 'worst dive ever.'
Sulley Muntari beats Rio Ferdinand from the penalty spot to send Pompey into the FA Cup semi-finals in 2008Sulley Muntari beats Rio Ferdinand from the penalty spot to send Pompey into the FA Cup semi-finals in 2008
Sulley Muntari beats Rio Ferdinand from the penalty spot to send Pompey into the FA Cup semi-finals in 2008

The former England international was forced to act as a makeshift keeper when Harry Redknapp's Blues travelled to Manchester United for the last-eight clash.

Edwin van der Sar was forced off through injury at half-time and was replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak.

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However, the substitute stopper was sent off when he brought down Milan Baros inside the box in the 76th minute.

Sulley Muntari beats Rio Ferdinand from the penalty spot to send Pompey into the FA Cup semi-finals in 2008Sulley Muntari beats Rio Ferdinand from the penalty spot to send Pompey into the FA Cup semi-finals in 2008
Sulley Muntari beats Rio Ferdinand from the penalty spot to send Pompey into the FA Cup semi-finals in 2008

As a result, it meant Ferdinand had to go between the posts.

Muntari stepped up to take the spot-kick and fired it beyond the centre-back to move Pompey into the last four.

And Ferdinand admitted his attempt to stop the Ghanian's strike was horrendous.

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Speaking after Denmark's 1-0 win over Peru in the World Cup, he told the BBC: 'I went in goal once at United and it's the loneliest position on the planet.

'I would never be a goalkeeper - they're lunatics for doing it anyway.

'A penalty went in. It was the worst dive ever - horrendous!'

Pompey, of course, would go on to land the FA Cup that year.

They delivered a 1-0 win over West Brom in the semi-finals, courtesy of Kanu's strike.

The Blues then beat Cardiff by the same scoreline in the final, with the Nigeria international again on target.