‘No way’: Socceroos coach fumes at 17-min blitz

Despite an improved effort for most of the contest after a disappointing display in losing 1-0 to Venezuela last Saturday, the Australians again tasted defeat, this time against a nation ranked No. 13 in the world. The Socceroos hung on for 76 minutes before a penalty from Colombia’s captain James Rodriguez, after a foul from Socceroos substitute Callum Elder on Santiago Arias, broke Australia’s resistance Bayern Munich star Luis Diaz doubled the South Americans’ lead 12 minutes later after a long ball caught the Socceroos’ defence napping, with goalkeeper Paul Izzo stranded outside his penalty area. A stoppage-time goal from Jefferson Lerma, from a Rodriguez corner, rubbed further salt into the Socceroos’ wounds. It was a disappointing end to the match for the Socceroos, who worked hard to stay in the contest before the floodgates opened. “For 75 (minutes) we did very well,” Socceroos coach Tony Popovic told Paramount Plus. “We competed really well, a much better performance … the result blows out a little bit with two soft goals in the last minutes. “It was a shame for the players because I thought they were very good. “Only Colombia would get that get penalty today. There’s no way we would get a penalty like that. Very disappointed in that decision.” Andy Harper said on Paramount Plus conceding three goals in a 17-minute period was concerning for the Socceroos ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup. “Really disappointing concessions, the Popovic iron dome has been breached tonight,” Harper said. Former Socceroo Alex Brosque added: “Ultimately, for all the numbers we have in and around the box, how tight we are, it’s long balls that are catching us out a little bit too easily.”“I don’t think we have a set XI.” Popovic made five changes to the team that started in the weekend loss to Venezuela. Keeper Izzo, defenders Cameron Burgess and Kye Rowles, and midfielders Jackson Irvine and Riley McGree came into the starting team. Out went Melbourne City gloveman Patrick Beach, injured defender Jason Geria, Adelaide United veteran Craig Goodwin, Sydney FC midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler and teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda. For Irvine, who wore the captain’s armband, and McGree, it was long-awaited returns to Australia’s starting team after both made their international comebacks from injuries off the bench against Venezuela. Irvine, who also captains German Bundesliga club St. Pauli, lasted an hour before he was replaced by Netherlands-based Max Balard. For Colombia, Diaz was dangerous whenever he found space, forcing a good save out of Izzo in the 23rd minute. The former Liverpool winger also let fly with a dangerous long-distance strike in the 35th minute that flew just wide of the post. The Socceroos only genuine chance of the opening stanza came on the stroke of half-time when McGree free-kick was well saved by goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. Five minutes after the break, Socceroos striker Mohamed Toure tried an overhead kick that flew over the crossbar. The Colombians replied 11 minutes later with a Johan Mojica shot that was tipped over the bar by Izzo. Elder’s foul on Arias, which Popovic believed the Socceroos would not have been given if roles were reversed, proved to be the beginning of the end for the Australians.s