Tony Popovic defends subbing off Patrick Beach for Mathew Ryan in failed penalty shootout
-Arlington: The Socceroos suffered World Cup heartbreak, being eliminated in a penalty shoot-out against Egypt, and Australia’s elusive knockout stage victory in the tournament remains elusive.
Defender Harry Souttar drilled the penalty over the bar and 18-year-old Lucas Herrington’s subsequent effort hit the bar as Australia lost their first penalty shoot-out of the World Cup 4-2.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic came on to replace goalkeeper Mat Ryan in the 119th minute before penalties, but his selection gamble was in vain as the experienced shot-stopper could not come close to the Pharaoh’s chance.
In doing so, he edged out Patrick Beach, whose miraculous reflex saved Australia minutes before the game and forced extra time. Popovic said the decision to bring on Ryan was not necessarily pre-planned but came during the match as Australia faced unused substitutions.
“We felt that Maty’s experience would make a difference,” Popovic said. “It didn’t work out in the end, it didn’t work out that way, but it wasn’t because of Maty’s poor judgment or incompetence; they got critical penalties.”
The coach also supported the decision to give Herrington a penalty and said that despite his young age, he had full confidence in him in times of pressure.
“I’m sure you would all have said something else if the young boy had scored,” he said. “He’s played the last two games as an 18-year-old, so if I’m confident he’ll play in a game where we need to get a result, in a game where qualification is at stake, that’s very important. What’s the difference?”
This was Australia’s third defeat in the knockout stages of the World Cup, which was seen as a great opportunity to win, given how evenly matched the two sides were. Egypt, which participated in the qualifying rounds of the World Cup for the first time, will now play in the match. Winner of Argentina and Cape Verde next Wednesday in Atlanta (AEST).
The Socceroos came back into the fray by conceding an early goal and took control of the match for long periods, even after key attacking threat Jordan Bos was injured. Australia equalized in the 54th minute.
In a tournament where he faced selection surprises at every turn, Popovic did the same for this match, naming an unchanged squad for the Paraguay match for the first time in 22 matches in charge of the national team.
It almost paid dividends. Christian Volpato almost scored in the fifth minute when his shot with his favored left foot flew high, kissing the crossbar.
A minute later, Volpato came again and this time he skillfully passed the ball to Jordan Bos, who made a quick run into Egypt’s penalty area and, as a last resort, made a desperate defensive tackle and the ball went away from the goal.
However, the bright start faded in the 13th minute when a momentary defensive error following a set-piece put the Socceroos behind. Emam Ashour headed home a perfectly weighted cross in the 13th minute after being left uncontrolled at the back post.
The danger came during Egypt’s first real effort in the Socceroos half, after midfielder Jackson Irvine conceded a free kick on the edge of Australia’s 18-yard box.
Ashour’s initial shot was blocked by the Australian defense after the free kick was awarded to him by Mohamed Salah, but the clearance was only cleared back to Karim Hafez. The full-back sent the second ball towards the danger area for the waiting winger to nod in.
Australia took control of the first half after the first hydration break, equalizing possession and asking questions of the Egyptian defence. Aziz Behich forced Pharaoh’s goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir to make a save just before half-time after the Egyptian backline failed to clear the long ball effectively.
Bos left the game at half-time with an injury to his left knee following a harsh intervention from Rami Rabia.
Nick Ralston is deputy editor and research editor of The Sydney Morning Herald. He previously served as news editor, justice editor and world editor.Connect with: X or email.
