What does a goalie do as he prepares to step up to a penalty shootout at the end of a gruelling 120-minute cup final? Turn on his iPod.
That’s what Manchester United goalie Ben Foster did yesterday, as the Carling Cup final between the Red Devils and Tottenham Hotspurs moved to the lottery of a penalty shootout after a 0-0 stalemate.
According to Soccernet, he checked out how his opponents would take their kicks by watching past videos of them on an iPod just before taking his place between the posts.
Soon after, he saved two of the three spot kicks that Spurs took, allowing Man Utd to win 4-1 on penalties eventually.
He said on Soccernet: “We have had things to look at over the last couple of days and before the shootout you can see me looking at an iPod with (goalkeeping coach) Eric Steele. It had actual video on it and showed where players put things.”
In a season when the Red Devils may win an unprecented five titles, the iPod could have just helped the Premier League champions (and current leaders) onto yet another trophy. (Sorry, if you’re not a Man Utd fan)
So, there you go. Don’t forget your little gizmo if you’re going to penalties!
