Aus v Egypt
Beach - 8. Outstanding throughout making 2 big saves. Positioning could perhaps been better for the goal which counted against him . Stupidly taken off for the cold Ryan, despite being taller and having an even larger wingspan.
Circati - 7. Tidy in both possession and attack. Did nothing wrong and defensively soluid but always feel he could be more adventourous coming out with the ball and with his passing.
Souttar - 8. Hard to rate as he was outstanding in the match but his penalty was horrific. We are still waiting for it to land! Dominated both boxes and his passing was very progressive, sprayed a few balls to the wingers. How he is at a league 1 club is astounding! Could genuinely play at a champions league side as evidenced by the last 2 world cup, let alone the prem. Genuinely think hes australias greatest ever defender.
Herrington - 7. very very calm in possession and defense. Does a lack a bit of aggression defensively and is a bit slow to react sometimes defending when watching him live but a good performance nonetheless apart from the penalty. Like Circati could be a bit more adventurous bringing the ball out and with his passing.
Bos - 7. was lively very early before being hit with a crunching tackle that was right in front of me.. saw his knee buckle back :/
Behich - 7. Did a lot, a LOT of running watching him at the stadium. Ive seen him many times actually and astounded by his workrate. Very unddrrated, seems one of the leaders in the team also and a big part of why weve had a good spell these last 10 yrs. Almost never out of position and defends very well. Is half a yard slower than he previously was though, which was telling when he was one on one with his opponent in the final third. Doesnt have the speed or final ball to impact.
Irvine - 6. Was always in the right position, still has great stamina and moves well off the ball to open passing lanes (always has). But what annoys me is how many times under pressure he just lobs the ball forward when he could have just lowered his eyes and played a short pass around the corner. Lost my shit at him on one occassion much to the humour of those sitting around me, needlessly givibg away possession. This mindset was to blame for the nervy end of regular time and end of extra time where we seemingly just kept inviting pressure and defending the tie rather than going for the win. First touch is an issue too, very heavy and slow handling speed. If we are to progress as a football nation we need CMs with higher technical quality to receive and give the ball.
O'Neill - 8. My MOM. Cannot believe he isnt getting more plaudits this tournament. His blocks, tackles, passing completion, progressive passing and km's this tournament are all off the charts. Looking back over his career he was a premier league player at only 18, and then captained at fairly large club in Standard Liege so has pedigree that ppl forget about. Watching him live he is very positive in his play, keeping the ball rather than hoofing forwards like Irvine does. Often plays one - twos and was responsible for the periods where we sustained possession well. Fanastic defensively, often jockeying the ball carrier for another player to disposses. Rarely gets beaten. Hes almost a carbon copy of Vince Grella.
Volpato - 7. Very positive receiving the ball and turning to play forwards. His techincal ability receiving the ball, turning and dribbling is far above his teammates but his final ball needs work, in particular set pieces. Nearly always overhits everything actually. All his shots were just a bit overhit and his crosses and set pieces especially overhit. Needs to focus on getting more whip on the ball to bring it down and with more pace.
Metcalfe - 6. Very quiet. Seems to favour the inside right position where he can cut in and either shoot or create with his left foot rather than the inside left position where his body position only really allowed him to play to the largely ineffectual going forwards Behich. Energy was good though as usual.
Irankunda - 7. Ppl im sure will rank him lower but he can only achieve what his teammates provide him and that wasnt much other than lumping the ball forwards to him with 2 men to outmuscle. Has a booming leap on him something his detractors pf him being a CF might not reaslise. When the ball is hit over his head and he is battling with his defenders for it he is very aggressive and robust. Like a little tank just seems to run through players. Couple of times tried flicking headers on even though he was furthest man forward.
Okon - 7. Watching him live you see how good his first touch and handling speed are. Should have subbed Irvine off for him instead of O'Neill. Needs to be encouraged to come for/demand the ball more, working one twos.
Toure 6. Ran the channels well but didnt do much with the ball and badly gave the ball away at the end of the match giving away a corner. A little bit soft gling for heading duels too , seemingly leaving his man to head uncontested.
Trewin - 6. Looked nervous when initially coming on coughing the ball up. Was decent after that providing an outlet high up on the right wing. Lacked the quality to make it count.
Hrustic - 6. Some nice turns. Seems to take awhile to get his pass/shot away though, often getting scythed down right about as hes about to play the ball. Ive said previously on here that seems to lack spatial awareness of where he is in relation to his opponents as this happens a lot and as such doesnt shield the ball well. Isnt strong/robust under a challenge either seems to just go down. All this is why ive always preferred him as a winger, where he has the protection of the sideline next to him and just concerntrate on whats in front of him in his line of sight and where he has a bit more time on the ball. On the positive though our set pieces were much much better when he came on, often putting the ball on a sixpence. Should have been taking a penalty - took a successful penalty in a europa league final amd is far and away our best set piece taker (i think our best ever actually). Perhaps Popa had him as the fifth and decisive taker, but even still that proved an error.