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Cardiff City goalkeeper Tom Heaton looking for League Cup final success at Wembley
Bluebirds hero says they will challenge for the trophy following penalty shootout victory, while revealing he knew which way some of the Crystal Palace spot-kicks were going
24 Jan 2012 23:58:00
By John Stammers
Getty Images
Cardiff City's Tom Heaton has expressed his delight at reaching the League Cup final and thinks that the Bluebirds have enough in them to lift the trophy, following the penalty shootout victory over Crystal Palace.
The 25-year-old keeper won the plaudits by saving two spot-kicks as Malky Malkay's side ran out 3-1 winners, with Jonathan Parr putting the crucial penalty wide.
Despite the huge pressure on his shoulders, Heaton claimed that he was looking forward to penalties as it was an opportunity to get involved in the tie.
He told reporters: "I was quite looking forward to the shootout.
"The lads had brilliant all game really as you say I was a spectator and I hardly touched the ball, so when the opportunity came to get involved I was looking forward to it.
"Obviously tonight's gone our way so we're looking forward to Wembley."
The Bluebirds went into the match at the Cardiff City Stadium 1-0 down after the first-leg, but got an early goal when Anthony Gardner put the ball in his own net, before Patrick McCarthy saw red for the visitors.
The home side had plenty of chances to double the lead, hitting the woodwork numerous times, put needed the cruel mistress of penalties to win the tie.
Heaton claimed because some chances did not go their way, the team's clean sheet was even more important.
He added: "Going into the game we all knew how high the concentration had to be, obviously one goal probably would have killed us, or made it a lot more difficult.
"We did well to keep a clean sheet, some of the football and some of the chances we created were fantastic and didn't quite go our way.
"But there's a great feeling in the club at the minute especially in the team. I think we felt it was our night and proved it."
When it came to the shootout the keeper emerged on top with a brace of saves, crediting planning from himself and the back-room staff, as well as some luck, for the heroics.
He continued: "Yeah we knew a few of them to be fair, we had a few of them watched.
"Over the past few year I think James Holman [goalkeeping coaCh] and Enda Barron [Cardiff City performance analyst] have done a great job putting a little thing together for me.
"On the night it's a bit of what they have done before and it's a bit of guess work really, fortunately tonight it went our way and won the match.
The Englishman stated that as a boy he dreamt of playing at Wembley and will be looking forward to the occasion, however he insisted that Cardiff won't be there just to make up the numbers but that they will try and win the final
He said: "Obviously it's massive, something you dream of as a boy, so we'll all look forward to the game. We'll go in and try to win the game, we won't just be there for the day out.
"There's two great teams in the other semi final but I think we've got enough about us in this team, with the players and management that we can go and get a result, so that's what we'll try and do."
The keeper indicated no preference as to who the team faces in the final ahead of the second semi-final between Liverpool and Manchester City.
He concluded: "Either [team in the final will do] really to be honest you know. I'll just enjoy watching it tomorrow night and whoever comes, will come."
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The 25-year-old keeper won the plaudits by saving two spot-kicks as Malky Malkay's side ran out 3-1 winners, with Jonathan Parr putting the crucial penalty wide.
Despite the huge pressure on his shoulders, Heaton claimed that he was looking forward to penalties as it was an opportunity to get involved in the tie.
He told reporters: "I was quite looking forward to the shootout.
"The lads had brilliant all game really as you say I was a spectator and I hardly touched the ball, so when the opportunity came to get involved I was looking forward to it.
"Obviously tonight's gone our way so we're looking forward to Wembley."
The Bluebirds went into the match at the Cardiff City Stadium 1-0 down after the first-leg, but got an early goal when Anthony Gardner put the ball in his own net, before Patrick McCarthy saw red for the visitors.
The home side had plenty of chances to double the lead, hitting the woodwork numerous times, put needed the cruel mistress of penalties to win the tie.
Heaton claimed because some chances did not go their way, the team's clean sheet was even more important.
He added: "Going into the game we all knew how high the concentration had to be, obviously one goal probably would have killed us, or made it a lot more difficult.
"We did well to keep a clean sheet, some of the football and some of the chances we created were fantastic and didn't quite go our way.
"But there's a great feeling in the club at the minute especially in the team. I think we felt it was our night and proved it."
When it came to the shootout the keeper emerged on top with a brace of saves, crediting planning from himself and the back-room staff, as well as some luck, for the heroics.
He continued: "Yeah we knew a few of them to be fair, we had a few of them watched.
"Over the past few year I think James Holman [goalkeeping coaCh] and Enda Barron [Cardiff City performance analyst] have done a great job putting a little thing together for me.
"On the night it's a bit of what they have done before and it's a bit of guess work really, fortunately tonight it went our way and won the match.
The Englishman stated that as a boy he dreamt of playing at Wembley and will be looking forward to the occasion, however he insisted that Cardiff won't be there just to make up the numbers but that they will try and win the final
He said: "Obviously it's massive, something you dream of as a boy, so we'll all look forward to the game. We'll go in and try to win the game, we won't just be there for the day out.
"There's two great teams in the other semi final but I think we've got enough about us in this team, with the players and management that we can go and get a result, so that's what we'll try and do."
The keeper indicated no preference as to who the team faces in the final ahead of the second semi-final between Liverpool and Manchester City.
He concluded: "Either [team in the final will do] really to be honest you know. I'll just enjoy watching it tomorrow night and whoever comes, will come."
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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