Euro 2020

[mdk2isu]

I will preface this with I know nothing about soccer.

But...

The English manager put in two subs at 120', and they took the third and fourth shooting kicks.

They missed both.

The fifth was missed by the sub who came in at 70'.

I ask... was that intentional...? Are they like ringers, equivalent to maybe like a three-point specialist in basketball, who has a very defined role in taking those penalty kicks? Are they maybe reserves who don't practice being on the field much but rather just take PKs in practice as specialists on the national team?

I would have to imagine they were specifically chosen for that role given when they came in.

Also, here were the ages of the five men to take the kicks for England...

27 (made)
28 (made)
23
21
19

Why give the kicks to three of your youngest players, especially considering the stakes, instead of some of your older and more experienced players who might be a little more used to the moment? Sending a 19-year old up there, who I am sure was terrified, for the one kick you need to stay alive seems... odd.

Can anybody explain the reasoning or workings to me here?

A lot of times the team will ask for volunteers to take the penalties. Or will have pre-determined who is going to take them during practice and such.

 

[Sigmapolis]

A lot of times the team will ask for volunteers to take the penalties. Or will have pre-determined who is going to take them during practice and such.

That does make sense you'd plan and practice it beforehand.

But... still... why some of the youngest players on the team playing in their first major international tournament, rather than some of the older players who have seen these bright lights before?

 

[mdk2isu]

That does make sense you'd plan and practice it beforehand.

But... still... why some of the youngest players on the team playing in their first major international tournament, rather than some of the older players who have seen these bright lights before?

Because the younger guys are better at taking penalties? Although Henderson subbed off for Rashford, who proceeded to miss, was a strange one to me since Henderson sometimes takes penalties for his club.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I will preface this with I know nothing about soccer.

But...

The English manager put in two subs at 120', and they took the third and fourth shooting kicks.

They missed both.

The fifth was missed by the sub who came in at 70'.

I ask... was that intentional...? Are they like ringers, equivalent to maybe like a three-point specialist in basketball, who has a very defined role in taking those penalty kicks? Are they maybe reserves who don't practice being on the field much but rather just take PKs in practice as specialists on the national team?

I would have to imagine they were specifically chosen for that role given when they came in.

Also, here were the ages of the five men to take the kicks for England...

27 (made)
28 (made)
23
21
19

Why give the kicks to three of your youngest players, especially considering the stakes, instead of some of your older and more experienced players who might be a little more used to the moment? Sending a 19-year old up there, who I am sure was terrified, for the one kick you need to stay alive seems... odd.

Can anybody explain the reasoning or workings to me here?

England and English players have a long record of PK terribleness.

 

[3TrueFans]

Rashford and Sancho are typically very good penalty takers statistically speaking, Walker and Henderson are not. Letting Saka take the 5th penalty is the crazy part to me, 19 year old that had never taken a penalty professionally before. Sterling isn't a great penalty taker but he at least has some experience, rather than saddling the kid with that responsibility.

 

[BigJCy]