By Joe B.
April 5 2004

It’s normally considered bad luck to cross a black cat, let alone eleven of them plus substitutes, but the Lions have a habit of kicking bad omens into touch with some curses of their own. In Japan, four is pronounced “shi”, which is a homonym for death and for Sunderland’s FA Cup semi-final hopes it certainly meant that.

Millwall’s Tim Cahill wearing that shirt number delivered the one and only fatal blow in the semi-final at Old Trafford on the fourth of the fourth month 2004.

The superstitious may believe numerology did the trick, but then so did Cahill.

So often the match winner, the young Aussie once again showed his predatory instinct with only goal of the game condemning Sunderland to defeat.

Making their fourth appearance at that stage of the competition, Millwall have now reached the final for the first time in their history thanks to the Australian international’s 26th minute strike.

Cahill followed up a Paul Ifill shot that was parried by Black Cats keeper Mart Poom, volleying expertly home through a crowd of players.

The goal sparked off delirious celebrations, but that was nothing compared to the delight of the Lions fans upon the final whistle.

Grown men cried tears of joy and with a UEFA Cup spot assured perhaps those supporters are daring to dream of the near impossible: a FA Cup final victory over Manchester United on 22nd May.

Despite a relatively easy passage to the final, Millwall prevailed against the odds against the Black Cats, losing two key players against the bookmakers’ marginal favourites.

Sunderland showed they can get physical and perhaps brutal on the pitch, with the stretcher being called into action three times, even if only Ifill ultimately had to use it.

Lions player/boss Dennis Wise was another casualty and needed stitches in a knee injury, but somehow he managed to play on with almost as many bandages as Tutankhamen.

Millwall captain Kevin Muscat was less fortunate. After surviving being stamped on by Jason McAteer, his involvement was curtailed by a horrendous tackle from George McCartney.

Quite how the patched up Lions managed to hang on to their lead without their skipper and the mercurial Ifill is anyone’s guess, but Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy was quite right to pay tribute to Millwall’s exceptional “resilience”.

It was an incredible team effort, but McCarthy singled out the Lions centre backs Darren Ward and Matt Lawrence - who largely won the aerial battle against target man Kevin Kyle, later replaced by the more mobile Marcus Stewart.

It was a gamble that backfired, as Kyle had gone close a couple of times to equalising, whereas Stewart struggled to make an impression.

Nevertheless, McCarthy was gracious in defeat and said of his Millwall counterpart Wise: “He’s fortunate that at 37 years of age he can still run around. He’s a terrific player, though much maligned.”

Wise, meanwhile, is remaining pragmatic despite his record breaking success. He said: “Our main aim is promotion.

“We’ve done fantastic in the cup, but we don’t want it to take over. The club should get a few bob and hopefully I’ll be given some to get a few players.”

One player probably not on Wise’s shopping list is Jason McAteer, who got himself sent off for a second successive time against the Lions.

The Republic of Ireland international’s wholehearted approach has seen him come into conflict with Wise on the pitch in the past, but this time he was booked twice for challenges on Muscat and Neil Harris respectively.

Though the foul on Muscat alone could have been a red card offence, Wise considered that McAteer was “unlucky” to get his marching orders for the tug on Harris four minutes from time.

One disappointment for Wise was Millwall’s failure to completely sell out their end at Old Trafford.

The strict membership scheme has limited ticket sales somewhat, but that same club policy has coincided with a huge improvement on the fans’ behaviour front.

Once again, the Lions supporters were a credit to the club as were some of the unsung heroes on the pitch, such as Dave Livermore.

When switched to left back following Robbie Ryan’s second half withdrawal, the former Gunner snuffed out the threat of John Oster - who had hit the crossbar and had been causing problems with his crosses from the right wing.

The introduction of Marvin Elliott, at that stage, shored up the midfield defensively, while Millwall threatened to add to the scoreline with Mart Poom denying Danny Dichio from point blank range, following Cahill’s right wing cross.

Matt Lawrence had begun that move with a timely interception and a glorious long ball from defence.

The former full back is certainly enjoying a new lease of life in central defence and Wise said: “Matty wasn’t going to get a contract under Mark McGhee. But I spoke to Micky Adams, who knew him from Fulham, and he said he’s a better centre half than right back.”

Making those sort of managerial decisions may make Wise a Sir Alex Ferguson of the future, and indeed many at Millwall would like the popular player/boss to receive an honorary (though highly unlikely) knighthood.

Looking forward to pitting his wits against Fergie in the final, Wise said: “He’s one of the top bosses. I’ll be chuffed if I win half what he’s won.

Wise added: “Ferguson’s very loyal to his players and knows what he wants.”

Though it will be immensely difficult for Millwall to cause a cup upset in the final, Wise promised: “We’ll enjoy ourselves and give it a go.”

Also intending to keep his promises is chairman Theo Paphitis, who has vowed to run around London naked in celebration at Millwall’s achievement this season.

“It’s definitely going to take place, I won’t go back on my word,” said Paphitis.

The focus now returns to league matters though, with a trip to Coventry City on Saturday (kick off 3pm) following hot on the heels of a midweek home encounter with Cardiff City.