Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos confident they would get job done if final goes to penalties
IT’S been dubbed a lottery, but a Cup final penalty shoot-out is the ultimate test of confidence and nerves. And the Socceroos insist they will be ready.
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IT’S been dubbed a lottery, but a Cup final penalty shoot-out is the ultimate test of confidence and nerves.
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A spurned scoring chance, a late goal, cramp or a barnstorming run can all be factors in deciding who steps up.
The greats step up but they don’t always score, such as Italy legend Roberto Baggio in the 1994 World Cup final.
Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak is chief penalty taker for club and country and remained confident if Saturday night’s final was decided by spot kicks.
“I’ve had a bit of experience. Most of the time it’s down to whoever’s most confident and you’re hoping that your keeper steps up,’’ Jedinak said.
“If it gets to that point, I have no doubt that we’re going to be in a good position if it goes to that, but we’ll try and get the job done before that.’’
Melbourne City midfielder Eric Paartalu helped Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou win his first A-League title in 2011.
He said his 120th minute equaliser gave him the confidence to step up in the shoot-out, where he scored along with current Socceroos duo Ivan Franjic and Matt McKay.
“I just felt so confident having scored that goal late. If I didn’t then I wouldn’t have felt so confident stepping up,’’ Paartalu said.
“At the final whistle I went to Ange and said I want to take one and four or five others put their hand up, then Rado Vidosic (assistant coach) came up and asked what order and we delegated from there.
“I wouldn’t take a penalty during a game but in shoot out I feel like if I didn’t take one I would regret it.
“Ever since I was a kid I practised taking a penalty the same way - the way I put the ball down, number of steps, run up, direction.
“Someone like Henrique (former Brisbane teammate) likes to watch the keeper. In a shoot-out most boys would pick a spot and go for it.’’
Postecoglou said the Socceroos have practiced penalties at training since finishing the group stage, but it was impossible to replicate the pressure.
“From personal experience, and I’ve taken one in a grand final, you can practice them all you like but I’ve seen guys practice the day before and miss everyone, then score on the day,’’ he said.
“Equally I’ve seen them score every one the day before with their eyes closed and miss them on game day.’’
Paartalu said if scores were deadlocked late in the game, coach’s decisions could be made with an eye on penalties.
“Coach’s have to try not to take their best penalty takers off, it’s happened before,’’ he said.
“It won’t be going through Ange’s mind early, he’ll be on the front foot, but late on it could.
“Ange is the type of character to keep everyone calm and if they get to penalties he’ll make the players confident.’’
Socceroos’ possible penalty takers
Ivan Franjic
Mile Jedinak
Mark Milligan
James Troisi
Mathew Leckie
Tomi Juric
Robbie Kruse
Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos confident they would get job done if final goes to penalties
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