BUKAYO SAKA says England players are “amazed” by Ivan Toney’s no-look penalty technique.
Toney scored the fourth penalty in Saturday’s shootout win over Switzerland without even looking at the ball.
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Hero Saka, whose 80th-minute equalizer sent the quarter-final into extra time before also scoring the third in the penalty shootout, said: “It’s crazy. We are all amazed, I don’t know how you can’t look at the ball.
“When we see him practicing in training, he does the same thing.”
Left-back Luke Shaw added: “I can’t believe it. It’s crazy, especially when you watch the video. There’s just one showing his face and it’s crazy.”
Toney, 28, also takes penalties from 13 yards instead of 12, so that when he does hit in a game the goal looks bigger.
He has lost just one of his last 31 games and has vowed to continue his low-key approach.
Toney said: “Some people might think this is crazy, but it’s just my routine and I’m going to stick to it. It has worked and can work whenever necessary.”
Toney was one of five perfect buyers for the Three Lions along with Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saved Switzerland’s first goal – from Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji – as England won 5-3 on penalties, with the game finishing 1-1 after extra time.
England five-point penalty shootout plan
Specialist football psychologist Professor Geir Jordet told Gareth Southgate and his players what they can do to give themselves the best chance of winning any penalty shootout.
And he even made a bold and dishonest suggestion to the Three Lions coach…
1. START PLANNING FOR LAST YEAR
“It’s about planning the opponent’s penalty takers, but also ‘how do you win the psychological game against each opponent?’
2. SOUTHGATE SMART LEADERSHIP
“Southgate will have two minutes to influence his players in the most effective way possible, show that he has a plan and convey confidence.”
3. TEAM DICTATING
“A penalty shootout is really a team performance. Have the goalkeeper walk with the taker into the box to basically create a two-on-one against the other goalkeeper. Dominate the center circle, support the players who made mistakes.”
4. ‘BULLETPROOF’ INDIVIDUAL ROUTINES
“Have really good pre-shot routines that are individualized and rehearsed, bulletproof and polished, so they are more likely to withstand stress and score.”
5. FIRE YOUR SHOT
“Practice the shot itself, trying to simulate the penalty shootout in training. Even recreating 20 percent of the Euro final penalty shootout will have a benefit for your performance.”
AND AN IDEA FROM JOR LEAVING…
Jordan Pickford is number 1, but Dean Henderson actually has a much better penalty record – saving 8/22 (36 per cent) compared to Pickford’s 8/62 (13 per cent).
Jordet said: “We could consider making a late substitution for a penalty shootout. I doubt they would dare to do so in case they fail and the pressure is even greater, but it would be a very brave move.”
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Pickford, whose team now face the Netherlands in Wednesday’s semi-final, had driving advice for all of their Swiss opponents printed on his water bottle.
But Shaw revealed that Akanji’s City team-mate Kyle Walker also helped by pointing to Pickford’s left.
Meanwhile, Declan Rice was “calming everyone down” and telling people “to do their breathing techniques” ahead of the game’s final showdown.
Shaw, playing for the first time since February, paid tribute to manager Gareth Southgate for naming him in the squad despite his long-term injury problems.
He said: “We all thought I would have come back a little sooner, but unfortunately there were a few bumps in the road.
“It made me want to go back there even more. I owe a lot to Gareth for the faith he showed me.”
Shaw joked that Prince William had also become “part of the team” as the future king was there again to cheer on the team.
But it was the support from football royalty that made Saka swoon – following English icon David Beckham’s Instagram post.
With a photo of a beaming Saka, Goldenballs wrote: “This is the smile we all needed to see. Courage and happiness @bukayosaka87, congratulations to the boys.”
Shaw joked that Saka talked about Becks’ message all day.
Saka supported him, adding: “I was excited when I saw it.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
