Penalty kicks can be cruel because they are a toss up. One can either be a hero or a goat in a matter of seconds. At times matches are decided by penalty kicks because the two teams are tied after the appropriate amount of time has passed. It is way to break the deadlock and whether you like it or not depends on your style. A player must have the confidence to go up and make the shot. Any doubt or uncertainty and the confidence are gone. The advantage is then with the goalkeeper. The keeper has one of the most difficult tasks in the world because it is that hard to stop a kick from such a distance. Even the best keepers in the world struggle during these attempts because it is not easy. Make the goal and you are golden, miss it and then you may become the scapegoat of the entire country...