Nottingham Forest’s manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, described the club’s progression to their first FA Cup semi-finals in 34 years as a significant milestone, following their penalty shootout victory over fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Heroes of the match, goalkeeper Matz Sels and midfielder Ryan Yates, helped Forest triumph 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw that extended into extra time at the Amex Stadium.
Sels, from Belgium, brilliantly saved consecutive penalties from Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez, while skipper Yates netted the crucial penalty that secured Forest’s place at Wembley.
“We are absolutely delighted, every one of us. It was like a dream seeing our supporters celebrate like that. There’s nothing quite like it,” Nuno expressed on the club’s website.
“I think the players performed excellently. We controlled the midfield and managed to dominate against a team that is often tough to manage, and I commend the lads for that,” he added.
“This victory is a monumental occasion for all of us, particularly for Ryan Yates, who is a true one-club man and our captain.“
This match also marked Forest’s third consecutive FA Cup victory in a penalty shootout, having previously eliminated Exeter City and Ipswich Town in earlier rounds.
Sels reflected on the memorable moment, stating, “We had several opportunities to score during the game, but it came down to penalties, and my preparation certainly aided the team,” he shared.
“We’ve been practising penalties over the last few weeks. It’s certainly different from training, as you feel the pressure during a match. I’m glad to have been able to help the team by saving two penalties.
“The rest of the lads did their part, and I’m incredibly proud of them. Now we look forward to the next challenge in this competition.
“It’s been quite some time since our supporters experienced a semi-final, so we’re all excited for what lies ahead. Hopefully, we can achieve something even more remarkable there.“
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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