Socceroos pile-on continues with latest barb from US pundit
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A retired United States footballer turned pundit believes Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan will have to do some heavy lifting at the FIFA World Cup, in what is the latest barb fired by the host nation towards the Australian side.
The fuse was lit by former players on the day the World Cup draw was unveiled, with Mike Grella labelling Australia as a ‘lay-up’ in the United States’ draw.
Alexi Lalas speaks on his podcast about the Australian Socceroos. X/@SOTUWithAlexi
Alexi Lalas had a similar stance to Grella when diving into the group stage draw on his podcast this week, with the former US centre-back all but certain that Australia does not have the strike power to take on “the elites” of the football world.
The likes of Brazil, Argentina, England, Spain and France most notably would fall under that category in the eyes of international football fans.
And even though the Socceroos have proven nations who underestimated them wrong in the past, Lalas fears the squad Tony Popovic has named is too weak to go deep in football’s biggest tournament.
“This is an average team by any measure, and certainly not a great team,” he said, speaking on his State of the Union podcast.
“I think in their region in Asia - that move has helped them, but against better quality competition and the elites of the world, they can’t play the way that they play in their region - but that applies to a lot of teams out there.
“This is a team that is going to look to frustrate most of the opponents ... but they are going to struggle to score goals and maintain possession of the ball.
“They are going to have to adjust, and I think they will default into a very defensive type of team.
“They have a great legend in goals in Maty Ryan, a wonderful goalkeeper. I think he is going to have to stand on his head at different times.”
Ryan is heading to his fourth World Cup, one of only four Australian players to do so in the game’s history. Mathew Leckie will join him in achieving that feat.
Mat Ryan in action in the Frecciarossa Italian Cup. Getty
Australia will face the US on June 20 (AEST) in Seattle in their second game.
While that match is one that will draw great attraction on Aussie soil, Lalas declared the marquee game in Group D is actually against Paraguay.
“If the US gets the three points in that (Paraguay game), we are off to the races and we will win the group,” he said.
“If we don’t (win), all hell is going to break loose. People will be really worried.”
Lalas played 96 games for the US during a seven-year international career.
Australia kick off their campaign against Turkey on Sunday, June 14 (AEST).
