Reading Vs. Cardiff City, 2011 nPower Championship Playoffs: 0-0 Full Time

Reading and Cardiff City played a tough, physical match with some serious entertainment value at the Madejski Stadium today, but unfortunately, the biggest story to come out of this game was an injury. After 16 minutes, Cardiff’s Craig Bellamy pulled up lame with a hamstring injury, and as a result, he was substituted off for Michael Chopra. There’s no word yet on the severity of the injury, but it seems highly unlikely that Bellamy will be able to play the second leg of the tie on Tuesday.

Though neither team was unambitious or looking for a draw, both Reading and Cardiff were most concerned with keeping a clean sheet tonight. The 0-0 result was much more the product of good defending than inept offense or negative tactics, and as a result it was an entertaining fixture. However, after two straight 0-0 draws in what is usually the most exciting football tournament anywhere, fans will be hungry for goals in the second legs.