Brentford saw their hopes of winning the FA Cup come to an end at the hands of West Ham United as they lost on penalties at the London Stadium on Monday morning.
Keith Andrews steps forward to defend Dango Outtara (Image: Getty Images)
Brentford manager Keith Andrews said the criticism of Dango Ouattara, who missed Panenka’s penalty, was “disgusting”. The Bees lost on penalties to their Premier League rivals in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday night.
The pair fought to a 2-2 draw in normal time, with Jarrod Bowen and Igor Thiago scoring twice. Ouattara, 24, missed a crucial penalty for Andrews’ team as his loose ball was collected harmlessly by Alphonse Arreola.
Brentford manager Andrews was asked for his verdict and suggested that any criticism the winger might face was unwarranted. After his team’s loss, he said:
“I think the easiest thing for a footballer to do is not to take a penalty. It takes incredible courage to take a penalty on a stage like that. This is probably the first time I’m talking about penalties and the people who miss them.”
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“I hate the culture surrounding players who miss penalties. You know what I’m talking about, national heroes who miss penalties and are ridiculed and persecuted. I think that’s disgusting.”
Andrews added: “It takes a lot of courage to do that. He’s practiced that technique a lot. If that’s what gets everyone excited about him. Dango will get the absolute support he needs from me and everyone involved with Dango.”
Ouattara, 24, joined Brentford from Bournemouth in the summer. He has scored five goals and provided six assists in all competitions in London.
Ouattara saves Panenka’s penalty attempt (Image: Getty Images)
Andrews’ team will now have to focus on promoting European football. Brentford currently sit seventh in the Premier League, just four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea.
Meanwhile, West Ham have qualified for the FA Cup quarter-finals and will face Leeds United. Hammers manager Nuno Espirito Santo said of his team’s victory: “(It was) a long night, but it was a good night.
“The atmosphere at the end was great and the fans were celebrating. They deserve this happy moment. It was tough but they stuck with us and supported us and I think the boys are giving back.”
“The game was very close. It could have gone either way. We have to be fair. I think in penalty shootouts it’s all about being ready to do your job. And they did that well.”
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