Page last updated at 11:32 GMT, Saturday, 3 May 2008 12:32 UK

Oz Bluebirds warm up with 5-0 win

Bluebirds Down Under
Many members of Bluebirds Down Under are heading to Wembley

It's a result to gladden every Cardiff City supporter's heart: a 5-0 win for the Bluebirds over Portsmouth.

But with the FA Cup final two weeks away, this was not the big match, more a warm-up between expatriate City and Pompey fans in the Australian heat.

City fans hope they will bring their Sydney form with them as every member of Bluebirds Down Under returns to the UK to watch the real thing on 17 May.

They will meet up in Cardiff before setting off to the final at Wembley.

"It was a great result - 5-0 for the Bluebirds Down Under," said team captain Barry Jones. "It was a great, great game."

We've all had tickets for the game, the club has been great
Barry Jones, Bluebirds Down Under

The Bluebirds Down Under (BDU) are based in Sydney and attract Cardiff City fans from across the city.

"We are a bunch of boys who get together and socialise with a game of football," explained the captain.

"In the Sydney part of Australia we have about 20 players to pull from.

"Today, we had about 15 players and with the hot conditions we needed them."

About 50 Bluebirds Down Under members will head back to the UK before the final, with the Victoria Park pub in Canton the meeting point.

"We've all had tickets for the game, the club has been great and got the tickets out to us," said Mr Jones.

The BDU said they were also confident of celebrating another win against Portsmouth when the real match kicks off.

"After today's result - definitely," said the captain.




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