‘Ridiculous’ Socceroos-Brazil melee spills to bench in fiery scenes
The Socceroos and Brazil have discovered across two friendlies there’s an intense rivalry between the two sides after a melee spilled out onto the bench during their second match.
In the 65th minute, Harry Souttar and Endrick fought for the ball near the sideline with both going to ground.
Brazil and the Socceroos’ melee heads to the sideline. Paramount
Souttar used Endrick’s thigh to help him get up which the Brazilian sub took exemption to, running after the centre-back and pushing him.
Both men had engaged in an intense tit-for-tat over the two friendlies, exchanging heated moments in Townsville too.
Aziz Behich grabbed Endrick and pushed him as players from both sides came together with the melee pushing towards Australia’s bench.
Socceroos assistant Paul Okon Snr then held Endrick from behind which led to him hitting the turf rather easily.
Coach Tony Popovic had to start splitting up players too as Tete Yengi and Vinicius Junior shared words with Brazil officials running over.
“Tempers need to settle down a little bit,” caller Robbie Thompson said on Paramount+.
Erik Paartalu described the whole exchange as “ridiculous”.
“Harry Souttar just puts his weight on him (Endrick) to get up, and that’s it, it’s nothing ... then this is just ridiculous,” he said.
The match resumed with no foul given for Endrick’s challenge on Souttar with the score 2-2.
Brazil were first to respond when Arsenal star Bruno Guimarães scored from inside the six-yard box.
Vinicius Junior extended the lead to 4-2 in the 80th minute after a Nestory Irankunda foul gifted Brazil a spot kick.
Irankunda had his hands in his head out of disappointed two minutes later when he was substituted.
The final exchanges had undone all the hard work of the Socceroos who at one stage led 2-1 through goals from Ale Circati and Connor Metcalfe.
Vini Jnr celebrates converting a penalty kick. Getty Images
Post-match, Tommy Oar said the reaction to the melee “cost us the two goals” in the second half while Paartalu said it was a “harsh lesson”.
“You don’t stir up the ants nest in terms of getting in that melee because they really needed that spark, Brazil,” he said.
“There’s no doubt about their quality it’s more about their focus and this team becoming a team under Carlo Ancelotti.”
