Miracle man awaits Milan

By Fernando Duarte

Heurelho Gomes is still basking in the glory of PSV Eindhoven's penalty shoot-out victory against Olympique Lyonnais in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League. The young goalkeeper was the hero, saving two spot-kicks as the Dutch side triumphed 4-2 on penalties over the Ligue 1 champions.

Rough ride
Despite keeping a remarkable 19 clean sheets in 25 matches in the Eredivisie up until that magical night in the Philips stadium, Gomes had been given a rough ride by the Dutch press. The media were sceptical of the Brazilian shot-stopper, but the 25-year-old feels he has now made his point.

Crowd support
"Some journalists wrote that I was too crazy to be picked ahead of the other keepers already at the club," he told uefa.com. "Instead of sulking, I just kept my focus on training because I trusted my game. Thankfully things turned around against Lyon when I was given a lot of credit. PSV fans now sing songs about me and the press pay me compliments. That's football."

Unfounded confidence
Gomes's performance was made all the more remarkable when he revealed that this was the first time he had been involved in a penalty shoot-out. "It was my first ever experience of a game going to penalties, but I was determined not to use that as an excuse," he said. "I had to help the team and that's why I approached coach Guus Hiddink and told him: 'Let me sort this out, boss.' Then I just waited for the Lyon players to get nervous!"

Underdog status
Gomes is hoping to carry his good form into the semi-final against AC Milan tonight although he knows his side are not expected to triumph. He said: "They are definitely the favourites - you can't say enough good things about a Milan side that's got the likes of Cafu, Kaká, Andriy Shevchenko and the former PSV defender Jaap Stam - but we had tough games against Arsenal [FC], [AS] Monaco [FC] and Lyon, and Milan will have to earn their place in the final."

Brazilian counterpart
If PSV are to win, they will have to get past Milan's very own Brazilian, Dida. The 31-year-old Rossoneri goalkeeper, who has only let in three goals so far in this season's competition, has a special place in Gomes's heart. He said: "Dida was the first person to call me when I went to the Netherlands and he made himself available to me for anything I needed. I won't forget his kindness."

International dream
Despite his admiration for Dida, Gomes hopes to outplay the Brazil No1 in a bid to get international recognition for himself. He said: "Playing for PSV is a great chance for me and the other Brazilian guys to show some effort in terms of making the [FIFA] World Cup squad. It is hard for me because Dida is having a fantastic season, but the games against AC Milan might at least get me a place in the squad. I dream of playing for Brazil at the top level. My time will come, I am sure."

Famous result
If they can get past Dida and Milan, Gomes knows an appearance in the showpiece final in Istanbul will be thoroughly deserved. "To be in a Champions League semi-final is a reward for all the effort all the players have put in on the pitch," he said. "PSV are a brave side that pushes forward against stronger opposition. We'd love to go on, repeat the 1988 campaign and win the competition."