Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos keeper Mathew Ryan ready to produce heroics if penalties needed
TWICE Mathew Ryan has been put through a penalty shootout, and twice he has lost. He hopes that all changes if Saturday night’s Asian Cup final gets that far.
Asian Cup
Don't miss out on the headlines from Asian Cup. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TWICE Mathew Ryan has been put through a penalty shootout in senior football on Australian soil, and twice he has lost.
AFC RUBBISH CLAIMS AUSTRALIA COULD BE EXPELLED
THE SOCCEROOS’ GREATEST MOMENTS
CAHILL RELIVES HOLGER’S BANGED-UP 2011 MODEL
Both came with the Mariners, and one in a grand final, but still he views the prospect of a shootout as “the chance to be a hero” for a goalkeeper.
Ryan revealed that the Socceroos’ goalkeepers have tried to mimic the pressure they would face - but knowing that it’s really impossible.
“We have been preparing for the possibility of going to penalties before each of the knockout games, practising a few the day before the game,” Ryan said.
“You try to incorporate what a shoot out is like the best you can. But in the end nothing really compares to the real thing.”
Still though, for all the pain of losing - especially the 2011 grand final, when his side had been 2-0 ahead - Ryan said the pressure on them is nothing like it is on those taking the kicks.
“Us keepers thrive off it - it’s the chance to be a hero and all the pressure is on the penalty taker to score,” he said.
“I’ve noticed a funny trend in this tournament, in the last couple of shootouts in the quarterfinals there has hardly been a save.
“But hopefully the boys do the job before it gets to the stage of being decided by penalties. If it does, I’ll be doing my best to win it for the team.”
Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos keeper Mathew Ryan ready to produce heroics if penalties needed
Fowler keen to clear the air on Paris flop
Accusations of “pampering” were thrown at the Matildas following their disappointing exit at the Paris Olympic Games.
Huge concerns for new AFC Women’s Champions League
It hasn’t kicked off yet but FIFPRO Asia have serious concerns about the financial strain the AFC Women’s Champions League will have on clubs, athletes’ welfare and disruptions to domestic competitions.