Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglous brings SBS’ Lucy Zelic to tears

“SHATTERED” Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou brought star football commentator Lucy Zelic to tears after his team’s Confederations Cup exit.

Emotional exit.

ANGE Postecoglou was so visibly upset about his team’s exit from the Confederations Cup it brought SBS football commentator Lucy Zelic to tears in Russia.

Postecoglou’s comments come as the Socceroos boss also showered his players with praise after a fighting performance that earned plenty of respect from Chile manager Juan Antonio Pizzi.

The Chile boss also questioned if the Socceroos were “too physical” during the intense match.

Postecoglou admitted he was “shattered” after the game at seeing how close his team came to causing an almighty upset against the South American champions after James Troisi’s first half goal was cancelled out by Chile substitute Martin Rodriguez in the 67th minute.

When asked by Zelic after the game if he was “disappointed and shattered”, Postecoglou replied: “That’s probably a good word, shattered”.

“Hugely disappointed, just for the players who have put in an enormous effort against a world class team and I said to them before, we’ve been working towards this day. We’ve been building for this day. This is the kind of team we want to be. I was convinced we were going to do it today. It just doesn’t feel right at the moment.

“It was impressive (by the team) because it was against a world class opponent. That’s the measure now. That’s who we want to be measured against.

“Yeah, we made six changes, but we were confident the guys coming in had the energy and knew the way we wanted to play.

“I’m just hugely disappointed we didn’t get what we wanted.”

Ange: "I'm shattered."

Tim_Cahill proud of the socceroos effort. #CHIAUS #ConfedCup pic.twitter.com/IclOpfwOBv

— SBS Radio Sport (@SBSRadioSport) June 25, 2017

Zelic tweeted after the broadcast he conversation with Ange was enough to bring her to tears.

Four years on the sidelines and I've never cried. Tonight that record came to an end in Moscow after my interview with Ange. Gutted. #CHIAUS

— Lucy Zelić (@LucyZelic) June 25, 2017

Lost my voice from screaming in the tunnel in front of FIFA security personnel when Troisi scored. What a first-half of football. #CHIAUS

— Lucy Zelić (@LucyZelic) June 25, 2017

Postecoglou’s team also brought Chile to tears too, after a number of chances were squandered by the underdog Aussies.

Chile’s coach insisted they had not underestimated Australia after Troisi gave the Socceroos a shock lead.

“In fact that could have been a quarter-final in the World Cup, such was the level of this game,” said Juan Antonio Pizzi.

Lucy Zelic at the Sydney FC 10 Year Anniversary lunch.

“We are happy to reach the semi-finals and reach that aim. Now we must refocus on our next ambition.”

He added: “We weren’t able to develop our game.

“They closed every gap. Somethings maybe they were too physical, I don’t know.

“The way they played allowed them to recover the ball often. They managed to stop us. I wouldn’t say it was a poor performance from us.”

Postecoglou regretted missed opportunities as they bow out of the Confed Cup after two draws and a defeat.

“We wanted to get out of the group and we haven’t, so we are disappointed,” said Postecoglou.

“They (Chile) are a world class team, a fantastic team, and have played some of the best teams in the world off the park.

“We needed energy to face that and the guys who came in did a great job.

“From my perspective, it was a great performance.”

Veteran forward Tim Cahill collected his 100th international cap at Spartak Stadium, joining long-serving former goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer (109) as the only other Australia player to reach the landmark.

So close.

Alexis Sanchez went tumbling to ground early on following a last-ditch intervention from Mark Milligan, but the video assistant referee dismissed penalty claims as replays showed a clear touch from the Australian defender.

Claudio Bravo returned for Chile following a calf injury and the Manchester City goalkeeper produced a smart block to deny a lunging Massimo Luongo, although Australia forged ahead on 42 minutes.

A risky pass from Bravo was intercepted inside the Chile half, allowing Robbie Kruse to steer the ball across the face of the box to an unmarked Troisi who clipped over the advancing keeper.

Arturo Vidal nearly replied instantly when his stooping header was blocked on the line by Milligan with the rebound eluding Jose Fuenzalida.

Australian centre-back Trent Sainsbury missed a glorious chance for a second goal before the break, lashing wildly over on the volley after Chile’s defence momentarily switched off.

But the introduction of Rodriguez and Pablo Hernandez at half-time proved crucial as Chile levelled midway through the second half.

Eduardo Vargas beat his marker to a looping ball in the area, knocking down into the path of Rodriguez who smuggled the ball beyond Matt Ryan for his first international goal.

Vargas headed fractionally wide after Sanchez had escaped down the left and picked out his striking partner, while Jamie MacLaren miscued badly in front of Bravo after a brilliant delivery from Troisi before the contest gradually petered out.

— with AFP

Originally published as Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglous brings SBS’ Lucy Zelic to tears