But it was so nearly a Highland of dreams as the Second Division side never
gave up the fight and took the game into extra time.
Premier Division Dundee had looked home and dry after pulling 2-0 ahead with
six minutes to go when substitute Gary McSwegan scored.
Kjell Olofsson had opened United's account but spurred on by a record crowd of
5,821 Inverness roared back.
Brian Thomson reduced the deficit with five minutes to go and right on the
stroke of full-time Mark McCulloch grabbed a dramatic equaliser with a
spectacular shot from the edge of the area.
But United clinched a match in the last eight when Zetterlund, recalled to the
starting line up tonight, scored in the 108th minute.
The Inverness players trooped sadly off at the end but they went out of the
Cup with their heads held high and manager Steve Paterson can be proud of his
troops.
Swedish striker Olofsson was always a threat and opened the scoring after
seven minutes when he skipped away from McCulloch to fire the ball into the
corner after being released by Ray McKinnon.
Inverness almost conceded the second when keeper Jim Calder fumbled a shot
from Robbie Winters only to recover at the last minute and save the danger.
Calder, 37, showed his agility in the 29th minute when McCulloch bundled over
Winters and referee John Rowbotham awarded a penalty kick.
Stephen Presley stepped up to take the kick only for Calder to get down
quickly and turn the shot away.
Sandy Robertson then sent a dipping volley wide of the post and Barry Wilson
saw a shot saved by keeper Sieb Dykstra as Inverness stepped up the pressure.
Veteran striker Duncan Shearer sent a shot into the crowd when he was given an
opening after Dykstra and Presley had got themselves in a muddle.
United started the second half brightly and McKinnon saw a shot rattle the
post from 22 yards before McSwegan added a second in the 84th minute after a
good break down the left by Olofsson and a perfect cross.
But that goal only inspired Inverness and Thomson pulled a goal back a minute
later when he headed home a cross from Mike Teesdale.
Olofsson rattled the bar before McCulloch sent the crowd wild with a
spectacular shot beyond Dykstra and into the corner to take the game into extra
time.
But Inverness began to wilt in the second half and Zetterlund set up a repeat
of the Coca-Cola Cup final when he latched on to a cross from McSwegan to rattle
the ball home from just inside the penalty area.
Teams:
Inverness CT: Calder, Teasdale, Andersen
(Robson 60), McCulloch, Hastings, Cherry, Wilson, Thomson, Shearer (Addicoat
79), Robertson, Sheerin.
Subs Not Used: Ross.
Booked: Calder, Hastings, Cherry.
Goals: Thomson 85, McCulloch 90.
Dundee Utd:Dykstra, Dolan, Malpas, Pressley,
Perry, Pedersen, Olofsson, Zetterlund, Winters (Misse-Misse 73), McKinnon
(Skoldmark 82), McLaren (McSwegan 61).
Booked: Pedersen.
Goals: Olofsson 7,
McSwegan 84, Zetterlund 108.
After Extra Time Att: 5,821
Referee: J Rowbotham (Kirkcaldy)
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook