Sometimes in football you don’t get what you deserve, and it feels that way for Australia who produced the finest performance of Tony Popovic’s tenure but exit the World Cup in the Round of 32 after losing to Egypt in Dallas 4-2 on penalties. It had finished 1-1 at the end of regular and extra-time.
This was the type of outing Australian football fans have been waiting to see from a young squad at this World Cup. They created chances … so many chances … but the margins at the top of the game are razor thin.
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Still, with the bulk of this side able to move forward to the next edition of the World Cup in four years’ time, there’s much to be positive about once the disappointment of defeat settles. This experience has been invaluable for those selected and gives the multitude of rising stars in the A-League and around the world right now a platform to build on.
Aside from the loss, a nasty looking injury to Jordy Bos, who had to be carried from the field during the half-time break, will be of concern moving forward for the supremely talented wing back.
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PATRICK BEACH – 8.5
Beach had very little to do until an incredible save right before extra-time. The decision to substitute him for Mat Ryan for the penalty shootout will be long debated. He could do zero about Egypt’s goal.
JORDY BOS – 7
Bos had great moments of interplay once again with Cristian Volpato on the right and caused Egypt’s defenders plenty of headaches. His best moments at this tournament have come in the last two games in a position that he’s rarely played during his career. The wing back suffered a nasty looking injury just before half time and had to be assisted from the field.
LUCAS HERRINGTON — 8.5
Showed calmness and composure well beyond his years once again. Picked good options with the ball and made great decisions to stop Egyptian attacks. The penalty took courage.
ALESSANDRO CIRCATI – 8.5
Circati, as he always does, read the play well and largely kept Omar Marmoush quiet. He deals with chaos in the calmest of manners. Another professional display. His last-ditch defending is elite.
HARRY SOUTTAR – 9
Souttar, like Circati, was imposing at the back and dealt with the threat of Mo Salah, who played more centrally than wide, well. He also started to get involved in the second half up the other end with his head. The skipper didn’t put a foot or head wrong and was immense late on in regular time. The missed penalty will hurt but that’s the lottery of a shootout.
AZIZ BEHICH – 8
Australia’s left side is a little more subdued than the right. Behich always operates at 10/10 intensity and had a good individual game. The combination with Connor Metcalfe isn’t quite there yet on the left flank. Behich’s second half was superb.
JACKSON IRVINE – 7.5
Irvine didn’t see a lot of ball, but he used his huge engine again to make sure Egypt didn’t have a lot of space to play in in the middle of the park. His effort areas were high.
AIDEN O’NEILL – 8.5
O’Neill produced another professional display. The New York City midfielder was silky on the half turn and controlled the tempo of Australia’s attack while marshalling the middle of the park without the ball with tenacity. He pretty much covered every blade of grass at the Dallas Stadium and took the free kick that led to Australia getting back on level terms via an own goal.
CRISTIAN VOLPATO – 9
This was Cristian Volpato’s best performance in an Australian jersey. He was unhappy with his effort against Paraguay where he mixed brilliance with moments where better decision making was required. This time, it was pretty much spot on for the Sydney born Serie A attacking midfielder. He was Australia’s most dangerous attacking weapon and had several shots. The ultimate end product, in terms of goals, will come. The connection with his teammates took a giant leap forward again.
NESTORY IRANKUNDA – 7.5
Irankunda started at striker and still looks like he’s working out how to impose himself regularly on the game in that position. He has always looked far more potent as a winger and that still seems the case. He made a few good runs into the channels to win free kicks. Nestory was substituted in the 74TH minute for Mo Toure.
CONNOR METCALFE – 7
Metcalfe came to life a little more in the second half than the first playing on the left. He describes himself as not the flashiest player going around but you never get less than a wholehearted game out of him. A lot of Australia’s ball went down the other side.
KAI TREWIN – 7
Trewin was put on at right back when Jordy Bos went off at half time. They are very different players, but there’s a level of trust and composure Trewin brings as a replacement.
MO TOURE – 6.5
Toure made some great runs into the channels when he came on but a little bit of end product was missing after that.
Zlatan sends message to 18yo Aussie | 00:41
AJDIN HRUSTIC – 7.5
Hrustic is the perfect guy to bring on when Cristian Volpato goes off. They’re very similar players in attack and Hrustic also put in plenty of work without the ball as well.
PAUL OKON-ENGSTLER – 6.5
Wasn’t on the field long enough to stamp his authority on the match but he’ll be a big part of the Socceroos midfield moving forward.
AWER MABIL – 7.5
Produced a short but punchy stint. Showed plenty of attacking intent at a moment where Australia needed a fresh spark.
MAT RYAN – 6.5
Ryan came on for the shootout. He could do little about the four spot kicks. A tough campaign spent watching unexpectedly for the most part.
Popa sheds light on Mat Ryan sub… | 00:26