Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhen Popovic brought Irankunda and Metcalfe on for Mohamed Toure and Velupillay as part of a triple change at the start of the second half the tide turned.<\/p>\n
The pair were lively as Australia did the majority of the attacking and looked far more threatening.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the damage was already done.<\/p>\n
Sluggish starts have been all-too-common for the Socceroos under Popovic, and the problem reared its ugly head once again.<\/p>\n
Australia\u2019s back five was not as stable as it was against T\u00fcrkiye with Cameron Burgess conceding an own goal to give USA the opener.<\/p>\n
The pace of the USA troubled the Socceroos in the middle of the park and at the back.<\/p>\n
Popovic lamented the early sluggishness after the final whistle. Instead of saying he regretted any selections, he said he believed the lethargy was reason he should\u2019ve pulled even more shocks. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t want to go with the same eleven and you could see why today,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably I should have made more (changes).<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you look at how difficult (it was), we knew it would be a difficult match, we know the power that the US has.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe judge what we see at training as well in how the players look, how they\u2019ve recovered physically, emotionally from the match, and we wanted some freshness in those wide areas. And that enabled us to put the more explosive players on in the second half.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Socceroos legend Harry Kewell was even more critical of the tired display when speaking at half time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not good enough. It feels like we\u2019ve frozen on the big stage. There\u2019s no fluidity, we\u2019re on the back foot,\u201d the former Liverpool forward said on SBS.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe USA have obviously looked at how we played, they\u2019ve changed slightly the formation and that\u2019s just locked us in. And then we look panicky on the ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just getting the ball and kicking it long where Toure has had no chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng agreed with Kewell.<\/p>\n
He also took aim at the Socceroos\u2019 defensive set up for the second goal, which was a little unlucky as Alex Freeman headed home after a deflection, and it only stood because of a contentious VAR interview.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s stopping them? Because you come to this game on the big stage, and again it\u2019s very defensive. I see a very scared (team),\u201d the former Tottenham, AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder said on SBS.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd still, you have one or two chances where you can maybe be dangerous. Build up on that.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis free kick for example, how is no one marking (Sergino) Dest? How is that possible? The defence must be the strongest, how can he be so free. I don\u2019t understand, seriously. <\/p>\n
\u201cI said from the beginning we need fireworks. I\u2019ve seen no fireworks from the Socceroos … something has to change.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hindsight is 20\/20, but Popovic will surely be rueing his decisions at the selection table.<\/p>\n
He admitted as much in his press conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t want to go with the same XI and you could see why today,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably I should have made more (changes).<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you look at how difficult (it was), we knew it would be a difficult match, we know the power that the US has.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe judge what we see at training as well in how the players look, how they\u2019ve recovered physically, emotionally from the match, and we wanted some freshness in those wide areas. And that enabled us to put the more explosive players on in the second half.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI\u2019m not sure how much the personnel would have made a difference in that first half.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>The Socceroos paid the price for a sluggish start.<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nVOLPATO SPARK A GOOD SIGN<\/b><\/p>\n
Australia got its first look at Cristian Volpato this World Cup in the final half an hour, and the nation liked what it saw.<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old was the talk of Popovic\u2019s squad announcement when he made the last-minute decision to change his allegiance from Italy to Australia.<\/p>\n
The Sydney born and raised winger rejected Graham Arnold\u2019s offer four years ago.<\/p>\n
But this time around the Roma product, who now plies his trade for another Italian club in Sassuolo, committed to the green and gold and has shown that Australia has an impressive talent on its hands for the long-term.<\/p>\n
Volpato came on for his second Socceroos appearance \u2013 he started and played a half against Switzerland in the final warm-up game \u2013 when Mathew Leckie went down with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n
It was a cruel blow for the veteran in his fourth World Cup, but it pathed the way for Volpato to make an instant impact.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Australia got its first look at Cristian Volpato this World Cup in the final half an hour, and the nation liked what it saw.<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe technically gifted talent played Nestory Irankunda through with his first touch.<\/p>\n
He then got the ball back in the box after Irankunda\u2019s eye-catching run forward but unfortunately blazed his shot over the bar.<\/p>\n
Volpato really had to at least hit the target, but he looked threatening with every touch.<\/p>\n
The American defenders were certainly sweating when he was on the ball.<\/p>\n
Volpato completed five of five dribbles – the most ever by a Socceroo in a World Cup match.<\/p>\n
Boateng really liked what he saw and said Popovic needs to unleash Volpato alongside Irankunda and Mohamed Toure.<\/p>\n
\u201cVolpato came in and showed so much skill,\u201d he said on SBS.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was in between the lines, he created things, technically strong.<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralia showed that there is so much potential. Just let them loose, let them play.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was beautiful to see the second half, but why not from the beginning?\u201d<\/p>\n
Socceroo legend Kewell did not call out Volpato explicitly.<\/p>\n
But the former Liverpool forward\u2019s view was that the positivity Volpato and Irankunda brought in the second half was exactly what Australia needs to bring for the full 90 minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI find it hard as a fan watching … I think we underestimate ourselves sometimes. I think when we actually got control of the game, and put it to the USA, we actually put them on the back foot,\u201d Kewell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey didn\u2019t really have a reply, and I think we can take a lot of positives from that and hopefully in our next game we can continue this aggressive play that we showed in the second half.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of our strengths in the Australian squad we don\u2019t utilise – we were a nation that have no fear. And we\u2019ve got to let that come through to our squad. Especially in that second half, we allowed that to show. That\u2019s what I want to see more of.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Australia next plays Paraguay on Friday.<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWAS AUSTRALIA DUDDED?<\/b><\/p>\n
Tony Popovic\u2019s decision to berate referee Felix Zwayer after the final whistle showed that the Australians clearly felt hard done by.<\/p>\n
The way the game was adjudicated did not decide the result.<\/p>\n
But it certainly did not help the Socceroos\u2019 cause.<\/p>\n
USA\u2019s opening goal, which came via an own goal from centre back Cameron Burgess, had nothing to do with the officials.<\/p>\n
Their second was certainly contentious, however.<\/p>\n
Alex Freeman\u2019s header was initially ruled out for offside.<\/p>\n
VAR then stepped in to show that it was Florian Balogun who was offside, not Freeman, and award the goal.<\/p>\n
The only problem with that was that Balogun appeared to have impeded Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach.<\/p>\n
The explanation that the American striker had not impacted the play certainly did not cut it with the Australians.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom what we understood, he probably impeded Beachy,\u201d Socceroos assistant coach Paul Okon said in a half time interview.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Some game from referee Felix Zwayer…<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAustralians tore their hair out even more when Connor Metcalfe was clipped in the box when Irankunda and Volpato made a run into the penalty area off the back of the latter\u2019s first touch of the game.<\/p>\n
It was clearly accidental but Metcalfe, who scored the second goal against T\u00fcrkiye, ended up on the turf and on another day, Australia may have had a penalty.<\/p>\n
As the speed of the game slowed down in the later stages, the contest became more physical.<\/p>\n
And it felt like the Socceroos were constantly protesting the referee\u2019s decisions.<\/p>\n
It seemed like any Australian challenge with a hint of physicality to it was penalised.<\/p>\n
There was no better example than Irankunda being bodied by Richards on the edge of the box only for the referee to wave play on.<\/p>\n
Irankunda did similar in an aerial battle moments later but the whistle was blown against the Watford attacker in a clear blunder.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ref was having a stinker today,\u201d Irankunda told reporters in the mixed zone post-match.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it is what it is. He was giving every call to the USA. <\/p>\n
\u201cI get it, but at the same time, there\u2019s two teams on the field, so you have to give calls both ways.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd he didn\u2019t do that today.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Australia’s Nestory Irankunda (17) and United States’ Joe Scally (23) jump for the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match.<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFormer Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams shared Irankunda\u2019s sentiments on SBS\u2019 coverage.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think a few decisions were a bit soft,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I mean it wasn\u2019t the decisions of the ref that ultimately cost us the game at the end of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
The clash was not as feisty as the friendly between the two sides in Colorado last October where the two teams engaged in argy bargy after some tackles that pushed the limits.<\/p>\n
They pushed and shoved a few times in Seattle, but tensions could have easily boiled over if the Australians had not kept their cool.<\/p>\n
Without getting himself in trouble, Popovic shared his frustrations post-game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure on that one,\u201d he said of the second goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, that didn\u2019t go our way.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday wasn\u2019t the best day for the referee.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe felt frustrated today with the referees.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Rub of the green?<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPARAGUAY CHANGES POPA MUST MAKE<\/b><\/p>\n
For Australia\u2019s final group game against Paraguay on Friday (12pm AEST), Popovic\u2019s first move has surely become clear.<\/p>\n
The exact scenario the Socceroos need to advance to the knockouts will become clear after Paraguay and T\u00fcrkiye meet later on Sunday.<\/p>\n
A win or draw will send Australia through, while three points could possibly still be enough to sneak into the next round as one of the better third-place teams, depending on tiebreakers.<\/p>\n
Either way, the manager must get the front three in order.<\/p>\n
\u201cToure, Irankunda, Volpato. That\u2019s for me the front three (against Paraguay),\u201d Boateng said on SBS.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have two threatening the space, while Volpato can come in the middle create something. He has the technique to play them in, to pass the ball through.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease Popovic if you can listen to us… we would love to see these three up top.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would have four (at the back). 4-5-1, that\u2019s what I would start to have a little bit of overload in the midfield.\u201d<\/p>\n
Australian fans will be hoping that Boateng\u2019s prayers are answered with that attacking combination.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Australia’s Nestory Irankunda (17) and United States’ Joe Scally (23) jump for the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match.<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBut the Socceroos will be sweating on the fitness of Toure.<\/p>\n
The Norwich goalscoring machine was subbed off for Irankunda at half time against the USA.<\/p>\n
It was an eyebrow- raising move within many expecting Leckie to be the one to make way.<\/p>\n
But reports from Seattle have since emerged that Toure took his time to reappear from the tunnel at the start of the second half and was limping.<\/p>\n
He experienced cramp against T\u00fcrkiye but concerningly had a calf issue earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Popovic is a gambler, but it is unlikely that he will deviate from his trusted back five.<\/p>\n
That formula with three centre backs and two wing backs served Australia well throughout qualifying and against T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\n
The defensive focus with the ability to counter-attack is how Popovic likes to play, but the only man to play for and coach the Socceroos at a World Cup has a knack for pulling surprises.<\/p>\n
He did so at the selection table for both World Cup matches so far.<\/p>\n
And he may again to spark a response after he lamented a poor start against the USA.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe looked sluggish, heavy-legged (in the first half),\u201d he said to SBS.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey won every second ball, and when you do that, it\u2019s very difficult to get any gain any momentum.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe conceded two soft goals, but I thought the reaction in the second half was outstanding.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did very well in the second half, we were very aggressive, we won all the duels.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Irankunda and Volpato at the heart of that second half resurgence, Popovic will surely give Boateng his wish.<\/p>\n
WHERE IS OUR TEENAGE SENSATION?<\/b><\/p>\n
Australians are still yet to see Lucas Herrington this World Cup.<\/p>\n
The 18-year-old centre back made headlines on the eve of the tournament went a report from The Athletic linked him with Barcelona.<\/p>\n
The Catalan giants reportedly had an opening bid rejected by his MLS club Colorado Rapids after they came to meet Herrington and his management in the US in April.<\/p>\n
Media outlets in both the US and Spain reported that Barcelona\u2019s initial offer was \u20ac10 million.<\/p>\n
That came after a game against Lionel Messi\u2019s Inter Miami where Herrington provided an assist with an excellent long pass but was left disappointed as the Argentine legend shot past him to score the matchwinner.<\/p>\n
The Athletic has since stated that Barcelona are not the only ones keeping an eye on the Brisbane Roar product.<\/p>\n
In the build up to kick off against the USA, The Athletic\u2019s Tom Bogert reported that Liverpool have already sent scouts to watch him in action.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Australians are still yet to see Lucas Herrington this World Cup.<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWith such high wraps, it is a touch surprising that Herrington did not grace the pitch against the Americans.<\/p>\n
After starting every international since making his debut in the March window, the teenager was left out for Cameron Burgess against T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\n
That was no surprise.<\/p>\n
Burgess came off the back of playing every minute of the Championship season for Swansea and offered another experienced head alongside Harry Souttar and Alessandro Circati.<\/p>\n
Burgess then had a nightmare moment against the USA, conceding an own goal in the 11th minute to give the tournament co-hosts an early lead.<\/p>\n
It led to him being hooked at half time by Popovic as part of a triple change.<\/p>\n
Many assumed with Australia 2-0 down at the half that Popovic might pivot from his preferred back five and replace a defender with an attacking option.<\/p>\n
Instead, the same shape remained, and Burgess was replaced by Jason Geria.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old, who plays for Japanese club Albirex Niigata, got the chance to make his World Cup debut, while Herrington remained on the bench.<\/p>\n
It felt like a moment where Australia might have seen one of the nation\u2019s most exciting talents.<\/p>\n
Herrington certainly has a big future ahead of him, but many Australians fans would have loved to have seen him in the second half in Seattle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"World Cup ecstasy turned to misery for the Socceroos on Saturday as bitter rivals the United States clinched a 2-0 win in the Seattle sunshine. Australia was caught napping early to relinquish control of the game to the host side, who never truly let its grip slip in a at-times feisty affair. Paro v Crocker […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":249149,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6807],"tags":[56308,20515,3147,20062,5298,11267,41149,74375,48374,20060,3166,12783,195],"class_list":{"0":"post-249148","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-leagues-cups","8":"tag-analysis","9":"tag-cristian-volpato","10":"tag-fifa","11":"tag-football-australia","12":"tag-harry-kewell","13":"tag-harry-souttar","14":"tag-kevin-prince-boateng","15":"tag-mo-toure","16":"tag-nestory-irankunda","17":"tag-socceroos","18":"tag-talking-points","19":"tag-tony-popovic","20":"tag-world-cup"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=249148"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249148\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/249149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=249148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=249148"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=249148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}