Just to be clear, then. FIFA:
1) can't possibly intervene when Iran are forced to move, a referee is denied a visa, or fans are barred from the USA
2) can absolutely intervene when a decision goes against the USA that Donald Trump doesn't like
Smashing. All know where we stand
A scandalous decision, FIFA placing its thumb on the scales of the tournament without even feeling compelled to offer a fig leaf of justification. Borderline red cards happen all the time and plenty of teams with more at stake than the USMNT have to just deal with it.
👏🇦🇺 Fair play to Lucas Herrington for having the courage to step up and take that penalty. He deserves credit for that.
He missed, but he willingly put himself in the firing line. He accepted the pressure when plenty of others have hidden.
But here's the bigger question: how is an 18-year-old centre-back taking a penalty in a World Cup shootout for Australia?
Where were the senior players? Where were the experienced heads meant to carry that responsibility?
If we’re talking about trophies it’s Michael Olise but if we’re talking about playmaking, dribbling, passing, chance creation, goals, assists, it’s still Olise
It was a KO game.@BafanaBafana managed just 1 shot on target.They were content to knock the ball around at the back when the forwards needed the ball. In KO football,you have to take risks.Rather lose giving everything than look back with regrets over chances never taken.
A damning statistic for South Africa:
350/466 (75%) of their passes were made in their own half, compared to 129/298 (43%) for Canada
A lot of that was to lure Canada to commit players forward and press high, but it ended in Bafana rarely having the ball in attacking positions
It was not to be.
We had a genuine chance to reach the next round, but we lacked that cutting edge in attack. We created opportunities, but there was just no firepower upfront to finish them off.
Our defence, however, was simply outstanding. They fought with courage, discipline and determination until the very end.
Having said all that, we have made history. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that we would qualify for this tournament—let alone advance beyond the group stage. This team has given South Africans a reason to be proud.
Congratulations to Hugo Broos, Captain Ronwen Williams, and the entire Bafana Bafana squad. You have exceeded expectations, united the nation, and reminded us what is possible through hard work, belief and teamwork.
The future is bright. We are proud of you!