Soccer
Alex Neil hails Millwall keeper Lukas Jensen’s ‘really, really rare’ achievement
Millwall boss Alex Neil felt Lukas Jensen deserved his moment of glory after the fit-again goalkeeper saved all four QPR penalties to take the Lions through to the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Following a 1-1 draw, with a late Mark Sykes own goal bringing Rangers level after Luke Cundle’s opener, Millwall won 2-0 in a shootout which included six missed spot-kicks.
Jensen, back after a long injury lay-off, kept out penalties from Ilias Chair, Harvey Vale, Koki Saito and Kwame Poku.
Neil said: “To save four penalties is really, really rare. And to put in the context behind that, Lukas has been missing for 15 months – he had a bad injury and then came back and had a setback.
“I think he would have been dreaming about that moment for 15 months – making four penalty saves and being the reason we’re through to the next round.
“And I’m absolutely delighted for him because he’s a great professional and a good lad, so fair play to him.”
QPR boss Julien Stephan backed his keeper Pierce Charles, whose mistake gifted Millwall the lead.
Charles, making his competitive debut following a loan move from Manchester City, fumbled Camiel Neghli’s left-wing cross, enabling Cundle to tap in.
The youngster saved two penalties in the shootout, and Stephan said: “Pierce did an outstanding performance – how he reacted mentally after (the mistake) was perfect.
“His distribution was fantastic and made a huge impact. We don’t forget that he’s only 21.
“All the players gave everything and we have a lot of positive things.”
