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Brazil goalkeeper Barbara caught off her line before Matildas’ penalty kicks in Olympics quarter-final

AFTER 120 minutes of a gripping Olympic quarter-final, it was a dodgy tactic and a passive referee that helped decide Australia’s bitter exit against Brazil.

Tony Harper in Rio
3 min read
August 13, 2016 - 5:19PM
Australia's Alanna Kennedy (L) and Barbara (R).
Australia's Alanna Kennedy (L) and Barbara (R).

THE Matildas made a gut-wrenching exit from the Olympic Games on Saturday in a penalty shootout clouded in controversy.

Brazil’s goalkeeper Barbara twice left her line early in making crucial saves to deny Katrina Gorry and Alanna Kennedy in the shootout after the scores were locked at 0-0 through the 90 minutes.

After Australian goalkeeper Lydia Williams denied Brazil’s five-time world player of the year Marta with a stunning save, Katrina Gorry stepped up for a John Aloisi moment to send Australia into the semi-finals against Sweden.

She smacked her penalty to Barbara’s right but the Brazilian had already charged off her line, cutting the angle. By the letter of the law the kick should have been retaken and the keeper shown a yellow card.

After she got away with it the first time Barbara kept up the tactic and was again well off her line when she saved Kennedy’s final kick.

Katrina Gorry takes her penalty with Barbara off her line.
Katrina Gorry takes her penalty with Barbara off her line.

Matildas coach Alen Stajcic was eager not to make a meal out of the keeper’s actions but said it was clear she had moved off her line.

“We were a bit far away but certainly the first one she’s yards off her line,” Stajcic told Fox Sports Australia.

“I thought the new rule was you should get a yellow card instantly for that kind of action but she didn’t get one and then she proceeded to fudge that rule as much as she could.

“That’s part of the game and she was allowed to get away with it and she did. You can’t fault the player for trying to get the edge in a shootout. The guys at home probably saw it better than me so are probably better placed to judge it better than I was.”

Alanna Kennedy takes her penalty with Barbara off her line.
Alanna Kennedy takes her penalty with Barbara off her line.

ANALYSIS: What really cost the Matildas in Rio

Fans were blowing up about the incident on social media, as well another call late in the 90 minutes when Michelle Heyman was knocked over in the penalty area but Canadian referee Carol Chenard waved play on.

“We hung in there and Brazil had more shots and chances than we did and we had a few on the counter attack that were dangerous as well,” said Stajcic.

“And there was possibly a contentious penalty call there late in the game and the one that hit the cross bar. I didn’t see it on TV — it looked like a foul on Michelle but I wouldn’t be sure until I saw it again. It doesn’t matter now it’s all history.”

Gorry and Kennedy were inconsolable over their misses.

“We’re all gutted at the moment,” said Stajcic.

Alanna Kennedy was shattered after her penalty miss.
Alanna Kennedy was shattered after her penalty miss.

“We’re shattered but in the cold light of day as a coach and a staff, and I guess as a country, we’re all extremely proud of the performance of the players and the resilience they showed — the courage and toughness.

“It’s pretty raw at the moment. You can appreciate the effort the players have put in.”

Stajcic revealed his star defender Steph Catley, who lasted less than 20 minutes, suffered a stress injury in her foot within the first week of arrival and has only been able to put boots on for matches.

“We sent her for an MRI on day one and she was meant to be in a boot for six weeks but was only in the boot for a week. At any moment it could have fractured and broken.”

Brazil goalkeeper Barbara saves Alanna Kennedy’s penalty.
Brazil goalkeeper Barbara saves Alanna Kennedy’s penalty.

Further injuries to Sam Kerr and Lisa De Vanna meant Australia went into the shootout with them and Kyah Simon unable to take penalties.

“It crossed my mind during the game for sure,” he said.

“Some of our key penalty takers were subbed off and I thought that might be an issue but they did a high amount of work rate and I put some fresh players on who could possibly win us the game.

“I pushed Caitlin Foord up and Michelle Heyman and Larissa Crummer and I thought they all had an impact late in the game.

“We weren’t sitting back waiting to get beaten we were going for the goal right to the very end.”

There was also an outpouring of support for the Matildas after the tremendous match.


Originally published as Brazil goalkeeper Barbara caught off her line before Matildas’ penalty kicks in Olympics quarter-final

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/olympics-2016/brazil-goalkeeper-barbara-caught-off-her-line-before-matildas-penalty-kicks-in-olympics-quarterfinal/news-story/3bc4afe698e18c6a72411bd7b997e47e