I couldn’t agree more that the penalty shootout is a turn-off. It reduces the competition to little more than luck and brings about a situation whereby at times teams play for penalties. The traditional, and therefore right, way of dealing with draws/ties was to replay the match on another day. In the English FA Cup, Fulham once played 12 matches over 6 rounds. Sadly, the demands of TV schedulers have triumphed over this equitable solution. The undeniable drama involved, coupled with the opportunity for scapegoats or heroes are other attractions to the media. Rewarding good play, by contrast, seems to have little to do with it.