Australia's World Cup penalty strategy blasted by USMNT legend Landon Donovan

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

Australia head coach Tony Popovic made the questionable decision to bring on goalkeeper Matt Ryan for their ill-fated penalty shootout -Credit:Soccrates Images, Getty Images


FIFA World Cup fans have been left scratching their heads over Australia's coaching staff's penalty shootout strategy as Egypt eliminated them in the Round of 32.

The Australians and Egyptians remained deadlocked after 120 minutes of play at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday. Emam Ashour broke the deadlock for the North Africans in the 13th minute, while the Aussies had to wait until the 55th minute to draw level through a Mohamed Hany own goal.

However, before extra time concluded, Australia's head coach Tony Popovic made the audacious call to introduce Socceroos legend Mathew Ryan for the penalty shootout, replacing World Cup starter Patrick Beach. The Egyptians immediately began studying Ryan's penalty-stopping technique before stepping up from 12 yards, as per The Mirror US.

• Australian soccer fans' anti-Donald Trump chant could spark World Cup controversy
• USMNT star Folarin Balogun breaks silence on controversial World Cup red card

You must be registered for see images attach

-Credit:San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers, San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

This follows a heated confrontation between an Egyptian World Cup staffer and Dallas PD.

Egypt ultimately claimed the shootout 4-2, with two center-backs failing to convert penalty kicks for the Australians, while veteran Ryan was unable to get anywhere near making a save.

Harry Souttar missed Australia's opening penalty, followed by 18-year-old defender Lucas Herrington in the Socceroos' fourth attempt.

Between Popovic's choice to introduce veteran Ryan in place of match-hardened Beach, along with the penalty-taking order, two U.S. Men's National Team legends were left utterly bewildered.

USMNT legend Landon Donovan took aim at the Popovic's decision-making on FOX Sports. "He's got a lot of explaining to do. He deserves a lot of criticism," he said.

To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE

Fellow USMNT great Marcelo Balboa accused Popovic of "overthinking" the shootout to advance to the next round. Victory would have set up a clash with either defending champions Argentina or Cape Verde.

"We've seen it with Holland before, and other teams have done it. But when you're switching a 6'2 goalkeeper for a 6'7, 6'8, that intimidating presence on the goal, I get it. Because now the wingspan, now you walk up and take a penalty kick, you're like, 'Oh my lord, this dude's huge,'" Balboa said on ESPN.

"I get that part, but they were both the same size. As a matter of fact, I think Beach is an inch taller. So I don't understand, it's like putting in a player. Taking a penalty kick is one thing, but trying to get into a rhythm, it takes you. It takes you 10, 15 minutes to get into a game. A goalkeeper, what did he do?

"That's what I don't get. Ryan got a ball, he sat there, he put his gloves, and then he's ready to take a penalty kick. So I think sometimes coaches overthink it. The other problem I have is, listen, we are the most skillful people on that field, our center backs. We are fantastic. And then you put an 18-year-old kid."

Continue reading...