Cherries: Penalties prospect holds no fear for Jalal

SHWAN Jalal has admitted he would be hoping for a change in fortunes should Cherries' play-off fate need to be decided by penalties. Goalkeeper Jalal made two crucial saves to help ensure honours would finish even in the first leg of their semi-final against Huddersfield on Saturday. And with the tie delicately poised ahead of tomorrow's second leg at the Galpharm, there is a chance it could need to be settled by a shootout. Jalal and opposite number Ian Bennett, who saved a Danny Ings penalty at Dean Court, would be thrust into the spotlight if the teams were level after extra-time. I am due a couple of penalty saves, said Jalal. I think I have faced eight this season and have only saved one. You get reports before games and can only go on what you are given and the taker's body language. It is one of those lucky things and some people have got a knack for it and some people haven't. I feel I've made up in other areas of my performances. If it were to go to that, hopefully my luck would change and I would be quietly confident I could do something. It's pot luck and the quality of the penalty influences it. As a keeper, you have got to try to guess correctly and hope the ball comes somewhere near you. Penalties are a horrible way to lose but somebody has got to win. Cherries boss Lee Bradbury's only previous play-off experience saw him exit in the semi-final for Birmingham against Watford in 1999. Bradbury netted his spot kick as the Blues were beaten 7-6 in the shootout, with Watford going on to beat Bolton in the final to secure a place in the Premier League. Bradbury said: We will practice penalties because, in shootouts, you always get players taking them who don't normally. In training, you can never recreate the high-pressure situation. Self belief and the right mind-set are important.

Source: Bournemouth_Echo