A roundup of the goalkeeper news headlines between the 23rd and 30th of March.
Matz Sels sends Forest to Wembley!
On Saturday night, Nottingham Forest travelled to the Amex to face Brighton in their FA Cup Quarter-Final tie. The game wasn't a thriller, ending 0-0 after ninety minutes, and extra-time followed. Penalties finally came around with the home side taking first and scoring thanks to Joao Pedro.
The next three penalties were then all converted leaving the shootout score at 2-2. Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez were both denied by Forest's Sels giving the away side the advantage in the shootout, which they didn’t waste, as Ryan Yates ultimately won them the shootout sending Forest to Wembley. It was their third straight FA Cup shootout victory.
'We had a few chances to score in the game but we went to penalties and I did my research which was good to help the team.
“Over the last few weeks we have worked on penalties; it’s different in training of course and there is more pressure in the match. I’m happy to help the team and save two penalties.
“The guys did the rest and I’m really proud of them and we’ll look forward to another game in this competition' said the Belgian goalkeeper, speaking to Nottingham Forest.
Meslier under fire again following draw
This weekend, Leeds played Swansea looking to regain their position at the summit of the Championship after Sheffield United’s Friday night win. Early in the game, Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier brilliantly saved a penalty, silencing the haters (for the meantime at least). But wansea scored their first goal of the game after the hour mark as Meslier dropped an attempted catch from a corner catastrophically. Leeds were drawing with the Welsh side, 1-1, with ten minutes remaining until Wilfried Gnonto came on and scored, sending Elland Road wild.
The game was into its sixth minute of stoppage time and Leeds were looking like they were going to win three very important points. However, Zan Vipotnik of Swansea had a shot which squirmed into the back of the net. The Frenchman has faced a lot of criticism from Leeds fans and yesterday didn't help his cause.
Match-fixing in AFCON qualifier
Kenyan goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has become involved in a potential match-fixing scandal with African authorities now investigating. The goalkeeper from Kenya lost 4-1 against Cameroon in an AFCON qualifying match and his performance raised a few eyebrows as he made some questionable mistakes throughout the game.
Some of the goals, however, raised eyebrows, and manager Engin Firat resigned immediately after the game.
It has been reported by Spanish outlet Marca, that Matasi is said to have been contacted by an anonymous caller to discuss a 'plan' for the match.
Will Matasi get caught for match-fixing?
Trafford with another clean sheet
This weekend, Burnley played Bristol City at Turf Moor in a important clash if the Clarets' bid to secure automatic promotion. Burnley scored early through Zian Flemming and held on to win the game 1-0. Yesterday’s victory was James Trafford’s 27th clean sheet of the season, elevating himself three clean sheets above the previous record which he broke weeks ago. What a season Trafford and his defenders are having.
