Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk laments controversial VAR-inspired World Cup-opening defeat

SOCCEROOS coach Bert van Marwijk has hailed his team’s fighting effort in their World Cup-opening defeat to France — before singling out controversial decisions which hurt his side.

Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk reacts to France being awarded a crucial penalty via VAR. Picture: Toby Zerna

SOCCEROOS boss Bert van Marwijk hailed his team after their dramatic loss to France, and claimed the French players admitted they had run out of ideas before their fortuitous late winner.

Suggesting France’s first goal — awarded thanks to the video referee system — was inconclusive, Van Marwijk said France had won thanks to a “lucky goal”.

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“I’m proud and disappointed,” van Marwijk said. “We gave a very good performance, no one expected we could play like this against France.

“There were lots of moments when France didn’t know what to do anymore, the players of France said that themselves.

Mile Jedinak celebrates scoring a goal with teammates Andrew Nabbout and Robbie Kruse. Picture: Toby Zerna

“It is a big compliment to us, to lose to a penalty you can discuss and a lucky goal just before the end.

“A moment before it became 2-1 Tomi Juric got alone towards the goal and they kicked him from behind. A minute later we lose this game.

“But the way we wanted to play, we did for 95% and I cannot blame my players. This is football, we have no points but deserved at least a draw.”

Australia's Josh Risdon slides in to tackle Antoine Griezmann. Pic: AAP

Van Marwijk said he had not seen a replay of Josh Risdon’s tackle on Antoine Griezmann that initially was ruled as no penalty, before referee Andres Cunha — on the advice of his video referee — reviewed the decision and awarded a penalty that Griezmann converted.

But Van Marwijk claimed that Cunha had seemed unsure as he watched a replay of the tackle.

“From my position, his body language (as he watched the replay) was that he didn’t know,” van Marwijk said.

“Then you have to take a decision, France or Australia.

Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha (L) presents Australia's defender Joshua Risdon (C, #19) with a yellow card for the challenge on Griezmann. Pic: AFP

“It is very difficult when he has to take a decision with 50,000 people on his back and he is not sure.

“On the other side, he was standing very close to the moment, and directly said no penalty, go on.

“But he is a human being too, and people make mistakes.”

Originally published as Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk laments controversial VAR-inspired World Cup-opening defeat