ANTTI NIEMI

The Finnish number one has already got two winners medals in his trophy cabinet - Finland's equivalent to the FA Cup he secured with Helsinki and the Scottish League Cup he won with Rangers.

But the Millennium Stadium will be a far cry from when he kept goal in his Finnish triumph in an old ground filled with just 4,000 fans. The estimated world-wide audience for Saturday's match is 300 million.

Niemi though is a cool cookie and, although he realises the importance of this match, sees one major similarity to his other cup victories - the chance to win silverware. "I won the Scottish League Cup with Rangers when we beat St Johnstone 2-1 and it was just a fantastic occasion and it didn't matter that it was a League Cup final, because all cup games are special and a bit different," said the £2m man.

"I have also played in two Finnish cup finals back home for Helsinki. I lost one but I won one 2-0 against Rops and that was a great feeling. But this is a bit different - that game was only in front of 4,000 people!

"I think this will be much bigger than I've ever been involved with - it's very difficult to compare the Finnish cup final and the English one but they are similar in one way in that it's a great chance to win something. No matter what game you play in, it's a great feeling to win."

Niemi was ruled out of Saints' FA Cup semi victory over Watford with a knee injury which has also made him a doubt for the final.

The August 2002 signing from Hearts played the 90 minutes against Bolton on May 3 but has sat out the final league games of the season against Arsenal and Man City as a precaution.

But Niemi is likely to be fit enough to take his place on Saturday if Gordon Strachan picks him.

He's relishing the pros-pect and aware that, back home in Finland, they'll be watching his performance closely.

"This is a global competition and they take great interest in it in Scandinav-ia - it's probably the biggest single game in the world," he reflected.

"It's the oldest competition and it'd be a dream come true if we can win it.

"It's going to be a huge occasion and, no matter what happens, I'll always remember this game.

"Lots of big name players never get a chance to play in the FA Cup final, so it's an incredible thought that I'm going to be there in my first season in English football.

"I'll have some nerves but I'm pretty laid back. This is a huge day for me and it's my job and I want to do well, but there are bigger things in my life."

Niemi's own form this season has been a revelation and his contribution to the cause has been recognised by both Strachan, who has publicly backed him as his number one, and by the fans, who voted him a close second to James Beattie in the Daily Echo Saints player of the season vote.

He said: "I'm pretty pleased with my own form this season - we've not dropped too many points because of me but I hope my best years are still to come.

"I'm only 30 and still learning and I want to get better next year, but it's not only goalkeepers or defenders - we are defending as a unit. It starts with the strikers and then works back.

"We've been pretty decent as a defensive unit. Every-body's working hard for each other and that's the only way to win games.

"It's a big thing for the fans. We've played against some big teams at St Mary's and, when we played Wolves in the quarter-finals, you knew something big was going on.

"Even on the pitch, you could hear them and I learnt how much it means to the fans, so it's going to be a wonderful day for everybody.

"We've been pretty lucky with our draws - they've all been difficult games but I felt all the way along we might play in the final.

"One of the turning points was against Millwall with the injury-time goal then winning the replay - you just thought we might go to the final and, now we're there, we're going to make the most of it."

The seasoned international was in goal for Saints' 3-2 win over the Gunners at St Mary's earlier in the season but missed the 6-1 defeat at Highbury last week.

Having watched plenty of Arsenal throughout the year, Niemi knows what a tough test Saints are in for - but insists he's going to Cardiff to win.

"Hopefully we won't be fazed by them - we played them earlier in the season and beat them at home and that showed anything is possible in football.

"Arsenal are probably favourites for most people to win the Cup and most people are saying just the enjoy the day, but you can't enjoy it if you lose.

"This is an opportunity for us to do something big and I'm desperate to win the Cup.

"Every time I've seen them play, they've been brilliant, so I hope they get an off day on Saturday, but we've managed to beat them once alreday this season.

"We'll give them all the respect in the world - they have brilliant footballers and a great team - but we don't fear them.

"This could be a once in a lifetime chance for us, so we are going to go there and give everything to win the game."