Popovic defends Patrick Beach substitution as Socceroos knocked out of World Cup
Updated ,first published
-Arlington: Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is defending his surprise decision to referee goalkeeper Mat Ryan for the shootout, insisting he had no part in Australia’s heartbreaking World Cup shootout win over Egypt.
After the game finished 1-1, defender Harry Souttar fired 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.
The defeat means Australia are yet to win a knockout stage match at the World Cup in three attempts. Popovic admitted the result was poor and Australia looked like the only team able to score in extra time.
Jackson Irvine and Awer Mabil converted their chances after Souttar missed Australia’s first-time kick, but Hossam Abdelmaguid’s successful strike when Herrington hit the crossbar sent the Socceroos out of the tournament.
Popovic defended the decision to include a teenager in Herrington as one of the team’s penalty takers despite his young age, saying he showed he could handle pressure in Australia’s crucial match against Paraguay.
“If the young boy had scored a goal, I’m sure you would have said something else,” he said. “You would probably sit there and say how great it was for an 18-year-old to score a goal.
“He played the last two games at the age of 18, so if I trust him to play in a game where we need to get a result, in a game where qualification is at stake, what’s the difference from a penalty?”
He said the decision to replace Patrick Beach with Ryan, who has not played a single minute this tournament, came after Australia faced unused substitutions in the final moments of extra time.
Beach, who has attracted attention this World Cup after his shock selection for Ryan in the first win against Türkiye, made a miraculous reflex save in the final moments of the match to help win extra time.
After the game, neither Ryan nor Beach said they knew Popovic was planning the trade.
“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.”
Although Australia started the game against Egypt with the same squad used in the goalless draw against Paraguay, it was a selection surprise for a manager who has gained a reputation for pulling them away at the World Cup. This was the first time Popovic had not featured with the Socceroos’ starting 11 in his 22 matches in charge.
It almost paid dividends. Cristian 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 ridge after the first hydration break, stabilizing 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. It was almost a double strike for Australia when Omar Marmoush netted 10 seconds into the second half and had a chance to put Egypt two points ahead.
But Australia rallied and deservedly equalised, with Egypt’s Mohamed Hany heading a free-kick into Aiden O’Neill’s own goal. The Socceroos’ set-pieces had been a waste up until that point.
Considering how evenly matched the two sides were, this was considered a prime opportunity to win the match. Participating in the World Cup qualifying rounds for the first time, Egypt will face the winner of Argentina and Cape Verde in Atlanta next Wednesday (AEST).
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.
