TIM KRUL: It's surreal being brought on as a penalty specialist

TIM KRUL: It’s surreal being brought on as a penalty specialist but having done so in the 2014 World Cup, I know how Kepa was feeling – doing your homework is important but so is experience

• Tim Krul came on for Holland’s shoot-out with Costa Rica at the 2014 World Cup
• He said it doesn’t ‘get any bigger’ and doing your homework is important 
• Kepa was brought on during the Carabao Cup final but missed his spot kick 

Kepa Arrizabalaga became the unwanted centre of attention when he was brought on as a late substitute in the Carabao Cup final for the penalty shootout only to miss the decisive spot kick. 

The Spaniard has been deployed in that role before having done so in Chelsea‘s Super Cup final shootout win but it backfired this time round. 

Former Holland goalkeeper Tim Krul also has been used as a late penalty specialist after coming off the bench as he told Sportsmail of his experience.  

Tim Krul was brought on as penalty specialist in the 2014 World Cup and saved two efforts

It’s a bit surreal being brought on for a penalty shootout like I was in the 2014 World Cup quarter-final and like Kepa was for Chelsea. I don’t think it gets any bigger.

Your whole country is thinking: ‘He’s the specialist so he will see us through.’ When the first penalty went in I waited a little longer than normal, got a hand to it and just didn’t quite get it.

Then I said to myself: ‘Forget where you are and just go through what I’ve worked on. Just be in the moment.’ We won and Holland boss Louis van Gaal has said now he will take a penalty specialist to the World Cup because it worked.

Doing your homework is important but so is experience. I’ve been lucky to be part of a few shootouts now.

His heroics saw the Netherlands defeat Costa Rica at the quarter-final stage after a 0-0 draw

The pressure is less for a goalkeeper because you have more chances to make a difference. I always feel a lot more confident because the odds are much greater for us the more it goes on. In a game it might only be one penalty which is harder.

But it’s become more difficult with the rule that you have to stay on the line. It is a moment of real timing and that’s why you need to put the practice in. It’s an extra thing against the keeper and maybe a reason for the figures of more going in. I saved one in October from Mason Mount that was retaken and I wasn’t even an inch off the line!

I’m always excited with shootouts because you’ve got a chance to be a hero — if you can show confidence and do things like I do by using my frame, height and now a bit of reputation. Penalties are a cat and mouse game — who believes in themselves, the strongest will win.

Louis van Gaal said he will take a penalty specialist to the 2022 World Cup because it worked

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