Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk expressed that he felt “calm and ready” as he stepped up to take the decisive penalty that propelled his team into the FA Cup semi-finals, adding that the celebrations persisted until the players returned home.
“The situation I found myself in could have been overwhelming,” the center-back shared with BBC Radio Leeds. “However, this time I felt composed and prepared; my mind was clear.”
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“Their goalkeeper was trying to intimidate me, and the fans were waving their arms, but I managed to block that out. I remained very calm.”
“When the ball hit the inside of the post, I had a strong feeling that it would go in. I would have preferred if it had gone straight into the back of the net, though.”
The club’s last appearance at Wembley Stadium was two years ago when they lost 1-0 to Southampton in the Championship play-off final, a match Struijk missed due to injury.
Regarding the opportunity to play at the iconic venue, Struijk remarked: “It’s really special. I’m excited and eager to achieve a positive result there, especially since the last experience was disappointing for both me and the club.”
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“I hope to ensure my first experience there is a memorable one.”
“Having been at the club for such a long time, it holds a significant place in my heart. I arrived here as a young boy, and now I feel fully grown.”
Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds, where Struijk discusses the influence of Daniel Farke