PSV Eindhoven keeper Heurelho Gomes has rejected the suggestion that penalties are a lottery.
No luck involved in keeper's cup heroics
PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has rejected the suggestion that penalties are a lottery.
The Brazilian proved to be the hero for the Eredivisie leaders as they saw off Tottenham in a shoot-out in their Uefa Cup last 16 tie on Wednesday.
His vital stop to keep out Jermaine Jenas' effort kept PSV in the game at a stage when had the England man scored it would have been Spurs who progressed to the quarter-finals at their expense.
The save keeps alive PSV's hopes of claiming a domestic and European double this season and Gomes is adamant that there was no luck involved on his part.
Movement
"I don't agree that penalties are a lottery," he told the club's official website.
"I try to wait until the final moment and wait on the player's decision before I react.
"Jenas stepped up and I selected the right corner."
The Dutch champions provided little in terms of attacking threat throughout the game and were made to pay the price for their lack of endeavour when Dimitar Berbatov grabbed the only goal of the game on 81 minutes to level the scores up on aggregate.
No risks
Holland U21 defender Dirk Marcellis admits that PSV took a cautious approach to the game, but was delighted to see his successfully converted penalty prove to be the decisive one which sent his side through.
"We did not take any risks as long as it was 0-0," he said.
"We defended well, but Berbatov scored a goal nine minutes from time.
"My penalty turned out to be the last spot-kick, but I didn't know that, as a Tottenham player still had to take his penalty.
"Our coach had appointed five players; then (Otman) Bakkal stepped up and finally it was my turn. It was just great!"
