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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
GIUSEPPE MURO

Charlton won't freeze in front of 70,000 at Wembley, says Lee Bowyer

Lee Bowyer is confident his Charlton heroes will not freeze at Wembley.

Charlton face Sunderland in the League One Play-Off Final on Sunday after they beat Doncaster on penalties on an unforgettable night at the Valley on Friday.

The Addicks kept their promotion dream alive when, in front of a sell-out crowd of 25,428, they won 4-3 in the shootout after a 4-4 draw on aggregate.

An attendance of more than 70,000 is expected at Wembley and Bowyer said: “It is going to be a proud day. To lead this group of players out, a unique set of players, with our fans signing their hearts out, it is going to be a very emotional time for me.

“I thought the players coped on Friday. We were a bit nervy in possession. But they will be fine. Once they walk onto the pitch, nothing changes and it is a game of football.”

Charlton and Sunderland meet in a repeat of the classic 1998 First Division Play-Off Final, which the Addicks won 7-6 on penalties after a 4-4 draw.

Bowyer said: “What we have achieved is massive. No one tipped us to be in the top six and now we are going to Wembley and have just filled the Valley.

"Sunderland go into it as favourites because we have not beat them this season. But I know we will turn up and create chances, and if we take our chances then we have a good chance of winning.”

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