Cardiff City Vs. Reading, 2011 nPower Championship Playoff Semifinals: Reading Wins 3-0

With Craig Bellamy out and Reading’s Adam Federici putting in a masterful performance, the Royals have advanced to Wembley Stadium to take on Swansea City in the Championship Playoff final after defeating Cardiff 3-0. The first leg ended 0-0 in Reading, seemingly setting up a scenario where Cardiff were heavy favorites to advance to the final, but Reading put together a solid performance on Tuesday evening. Though the score is a bit flattering to the visitors, they certainly did enough to win and deserve to be in the final.

Shane Long scored a brace in the first half, and both goals were partially gifted to him. He scored the first on a chip after Stephen Bywater came off of his line and failed to clear a ball and he scored the second goal on a penalty kick. Cardiff pushed forward throughout the second half but couldn’t find a goal. Eventually, Jobi McAnuff put the icing on the cake with a goal in the 84th minute.