Updated ,first published
Arlington: Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is defending his surprise decision to bring on goalkeeper Mat Ryan for the spot-kicks, insisting it played no part in Australia’s heartbreaking World Cup penalty shootout elimination against Egypt.
After the match finished 1-1, defender Harry Souttar blasted his penalty over the bar, and 18-year-old Lucas Herrington’s later effort hit the post as Australia lost their first World Cup shootout 4-2.
The loss means Australia has yet to win a knockout stage match at the World Cup in three attempts. Popovic conceded the result hurt and Australia looked like the only team capable of scoring a winner in extra time.
After Souttar missed with Australia’s first kick, Jackson Irvine and Awer Mabil converted their chances, but when Herrington hit the crossbar, Hossam Abdelmaguid’s successful kick knocked the Socceroos out of the tournament.
Popovic defended his decision to have a teenager in Herrington as one of the side’s penalty takers despite his young age, saying he had shown he could handle the pressure in Australia’s crucial game against Paraguay.
“I’m sure you’d be saying something else if the young kid scored,” he said. “You’d probably be sitting there saying how wonderful it is that an 18-year-old had scored.
“He has played the last two games as an 18-year-old, so if I trust him to play in a game that we needed to get a result, in a game that elimination was on the line. What’s the difference with a penalty?”
He said the decision to substitute on Ryan, who had not played a minute at this tournament, for Patrick Beach came after Australia found themselves with unused substitutions in the final moments of extra time.
Beach, who has been a standout this World Cup after his shock selection over Ryan in the opening game win against Turkey, pulled off a miraculous, reflex save in the game’s final moments to help force extra time.
After the game, neither Ryan nor Beach said they knew Popovic was planning the swap.
“We just felt that Maty’s experience would be the difference,” Popovic said. “In the end, it didn’t, it didn’t work out that way, but not because of Maty’s poor judgment or lack of ability; they took critical penalties.”
It was a selection surprise from a coach who has gained a reputation for pulling them this World Cup, although Australia started the game against Egypt with an unchanged line-up from that used in the scoreless draw against Paraguay. It was the first time Popovic had not tinkered with the Socceroos starting XI in his 22 games in charge.
It almost paid dividends. Cristian Volpato nearly opened the scoring in the fifth minute when a strike off his favoured left foot sailed high, kissing the crossbar on its way through.
A minute later, it was Volpato again, this time deftly flicking the ball on to Jordan Bos, who made a storming run into Egypt’s box before the ball was cleared in a desperate, last-ditch defensive intervention.
But the bright start faded in the 13th minute when a momentary defensive lapse following a set-piece put the Socceroos behind. Emam Ashour headed home a perfectly weighted cross in the 13th minute after being left unchecked at the back post.
The danger came after midfielder Jackson Irvine conceded a free-kick on the edge of Australia’s 18-yard box during Egypt’s first real venture into the Socceroos’ half.
Ashour’s initial shot, after the free-kick was laid off to him by Mohamed Salah, was blocked by the Australian defence, but the clearance only made its way back to Karim Hafez. The fullback floated a second ball back into the danger zone for the waiting winger to nod home.
Australia wrestled control of the back after the first hydration break, evening up possession and asking questions of the Egyptian defence. Aziz Behich forced Pharaohs keeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save just before halftime after the Egyptian backline failed to effectively clear a long throw-in.
Bos went off at halftime after a heavy tackle from Rami Rabia where he suffered an apparent left knee injury. It was almost a double-blow for Australia 10 seconds into the second half when Omar Marmoush got clear and had the chance to put Egypt up by two only to fire wide.
Australia however, rallied and deservedly equalised when Egypt’s Mohamed Hany headed an Aiden O’Neill free kick into his own net. The Socceroos’ set pieces had been wasteful up to that point.
This match was considered a prime opportunity to win one given how evenly matched the two sides were. Egypt, who are into the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time, will now play the winner of Argentina and Cape Verde in Atlanta next Wednesday (AEST).
Nick Ralston is the deputy editor and investigations editor for The Sydney Morning Herald. He has previously spent time as news editor, justice editor and world editor.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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