Bolton’s Johan Elmander ‘ashamed’ of FA Cup semi-final defeat to Stoke

Johan Elmander, Bolton (Getty Images)

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Bolton Wanderers striker Johan Elmander has admitted he is “ashamed” of his side’s performance in the FA Cup semi-final against Stoke City.

Bolton went into the semi-final as slight favourites but they were crushed 5-0 by Stoke, who will now face Manchester City in the final on May 14.

The Potters opened the scoring through Matthew Etherington after a misplaced pass from Paul Robinson failed to find the Swede, and things got worse as Robert Huth and Kenwyne Jones gave Stoke a 3-0 lead at half-time.

Two second half strikes from John Walters completed the scoring and added to the heartache felt by Elmander and his team-mates.

“It was horrible. We should be ashamed,” he told Swedish newspaper Expressen.

“There were far too many who hid themselves today Sunday. You can’t allow an easy goal as the third for them. They just shouldn’t happen.”

“This is absolutely one of the heaviest defeats that I’ve experienced.”

Elmander began the game on the right wing as he has done in recent weeks and was moved up front at half time, but was unable to turn his side’s fortunes around in a dismal day at Wembley.

“We didn’t say much at half time,” he added.

“The manager said ‘there are ways to lose a FA Cup semi and there are ways to lose an FA Cup semi’.”

Bolton must now concentrate on keeping their league form going and not to let this defeat derail what has been a successful season, with the club currently sitting in eighth position.