JAAP Stam admitted he was more relieved than anyone when Reading FC avoided a penalty shoot-out against Fulham in the Championship semi final second-leg.

The first leg at Craven Cottage last Saturday finished 1-1 after Fulham skipper Tom Cairney cancelled out Jordan Obita's opener.

There was no separating the sides in a goalless first half at Tuesday night's home leg either, but Yann Kermorgant's 49th minute penalty after a Tomas Kalas handball sealed a 2-1 aggregate victory and sent Royals to Wembley.

And Dutchman Stam revealed he was glad his side dodged spot-kicks to decide the contest after a worrying practice session, though he also hailed 35-year-old Kermorgant as a master of the art.

"We trained on them on Monday, that's why I hoped it would be over in 90 minutes,” confessed the 44-year-old Dutchman.

“Penalties are always a gamble but, with Yann's experience and technique, nine out of 10 times he is going to score, with due respect to the goalie of course.

"You try and train for penalty kicks, but you don't get the same ambience you get in a stadium with the crowd.

"We tried to find ways of making it difficult for them but you need to stay calm, trust yourself and not think too much about which corner, and then finish it like Yann."

Reading Chronicle:

Yann Kermorgant scored the winner from the penalty spot as Reading beat Fulham in the play-off semi finals.

Stam has performed miracles by reaching the play-off final in his first season with Reading after the club finished 17th and 19th the previous two years.

Royals now take on Huddersfield Town – who defeated Sheffield Wednesday on penalties in the other semi final – at Wembley on Monday, May 29.

And it is certain to bring back good memories for ex-Manchester United defender Stam, who was part of Sir Alex Frerguson's treble-winning 1999 team.

"It's great to be at Wembley,” stated the former Netherlands centre-back. “I went there as a player so to go there as a manager is fantastic. It's a different stadium now and there's a huge prize at stake.”

He added: “There will be a lot of tension and stress in the final. Players need to control their nerves.

“If you concede a goal it could be a very difficult day. But we need to trust in ourselves and believe in how you can play, while taking some risks as well.

"When you're a player you're in control of yourself, when you're a manager you're in control of picking the players and creating a plan. But of course the players need to go out there and do it."

Royals' squad were given a couple of days off to rest following Tuesday night's memorable semi-final second leg, though Stam is keen to make sure they remain focussed on the final.

“They have a couple of days off but we don't want to give them too many because you don't want to get into the holiday vibe,” he sttaed.

"We need to stick to it and keep on working. We have a bit more time to analyse the opposition to see what we'll do."

Meanwhile, Stam is hoping Obita will be fit for the final after twisting his ankle in the semi final first leg which prevented him from playing the second leg at home.

"We need to look how bad the injury is and whether he's available for the final,” admitted Stam. “He's not ruled out.

"He twisted his ankle. The doctor took a look and these things can take a certain time. He doesn't want to take a risk so that it gets worse and he's out longer next season."