Sari van Veenendaal is the latest winner of the SSE Women’s FA Cup Player of the Round award.
The Arsenal keeper spectacularly saved three spot kicks in the quarter final penalty shootout win over Notts County on Sunday 3 April.
In what was surely the tie of the round, Arsenal and last season’s Finalists Notts County produced a thrilling 2-2 draw, with both sides contributing to the pulsating match.
Arsenal v Sunderland
SSE Women's FA Cup
Semi-Final
2pm, Sunday 17 April
Meadow Park
Notts County appeared to be holding on for the win before Arsenal’s Natalia Pablos Sanchon nodded home an equaliser to send the match into extra-time and then penalties.
The shootout was a nervous affair but on her birthday, and in a week in which van Veenendaal signed a new contract at Arsenal, there was surely only going to be one hero.
Van Veenendaal produced three brilliant saves to deny Rick Passmoor’s side and leave Katie McCabe to fire Arsenal into the SSE Women’s FA Cup semi-finals and a tie against fellow FA WSL 1 side Sunderland.
Van Veenendaal was delighted to have reached the semi-finals and feels Arsenal have the ability to go all the way.
She said: “I’m really pleased to win the award. Obviously penalties are always difficult so to make three saves was amazing.
“It was a strong team performance and I think it shows how focused we are on winning the SSE Women’s FA Cup this season.”
The award is a brand new initiative for the SSE Women’s FA Cup, rewarding exceptional performances in each round of the competition and recognising the talent in the women’s game.
This year’s Final takes place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 14 May and thanks to The FA's partnership with SSE, all children will be able to attend for free.
Adult tickets are priced £15 and group bookings and charter standard discounts are also available.
Tickets for The Final are on sale now via TheFA.com/Tickets or by calling 0844 826 2010.
