Conceding six goals in two games is never a good look. But calls from some for Eugene Galekovic or Mitch Langerak to come in to the Socceroos side to replace Mat Ryan for the Spain game are misplaced.
Ryan was the form keeper going into the World Cup. He was playing regularly, unlike Langerak, and playing at a high level, unlike Galekovic. He was playing very well, as his Goalkeeper of the year award in Belgium attests.
Ryan is only 22, much younger than both Langerak and Galekovic, but he is experienced for someone of that age and he is the future. He has more Socceroo caps than the other two and has played in A-League grand finals. He is the right call for the Socceroos.
He hasn’t been helped by having an inexperienced back four in front of him. They have barely played together or for the Socceroos at all, apart from Matthew Spiranovic.
We have a centre back in Ryan McGowan at right back now, and little depth in defence. We are missing several defenders through injury.
So Ryan hasn’t been supported by a stable or solid defensive unit in front of him.
Looking at the six goals that have gone past him in the Chile and Netherlands game, very few have been the Club Brugge keeper’s sole fault.
The first goal against Chile was a bit of a shemozzle. The defence was all over the place and there was some back luck when Mile Jedinak’s attempted headed clearance deflected the ball straight to Sanchez who quickly tucked it away. Unfortunate.
Ryan was back on his line at the point but couldn’t stop the shot.
For the second goal, Jean Beausejour’s, the Chilean was left completely open at the top of the box. There was a complete breakdown of communication from the Socceroos and players of top quality are not going to waste those kinds of chances.
For the third goal Ryan had made a great save at the feet of a Chilean, but the ball bounced out to Jorge Valdivia. With no-one closing him down, he had time to take a touch and then launch a brilliant shot from outside of the box. A quality strike.
Against the Netherlands, a poor mistake from Ryan Wilikson on halfway left Arjen Robben with a free run on goal. With Spiranovic decided to hang off Robben the Dutchman did as he has done countless times before, stroll in and finish with aplomb.
Too easy.
For the second goal, Jason Davidson accidentally played Robben Van Persie onside and he rammed the ball home from eight to 10 yards out.
In the third goal, Memphis Depay was given a lot of space to dribble on goal and take the time to shoot. The ball deviated in the air as it came to Ryan, who dived and got his left glove to the ball, but it wasn’t enough to push it wide.
For a keeper of Ryan’s quality, he will be disappointed that it got past him.
So of the six goals, there is just one that you might have expected him to stop. And that’s not forgetting the several key saves he made against the Dutch late in the second half of that game.
Ange Postecoglou has thrown his support behind Ryan and so should all Socceroos fans. He is the best keeper we have right now and the man who should be between the sticks against Spain. No doubt.
And at 22 years of age he is only going to get better with time.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Leon Rauv
Guest
Mat Ryan performance in the world cup was horrible. He should be dropped for Mitch Langerak.
Adam
Guest
Who is Ryan Wilikson?
sheek
Roar Guru
In any case, the 3-0 result against Spain puts paid to those dreamers who think a little bit of luck here or there, might have seen the Socceroos through. They did great, especially under the circumstances of an extremely narrow preparation (too many young players introduced with too little exposure). But the reality is that this team was never going to be polished enough to progress. However, the future is promising.
me too
Guest
I hardly think arrogant is the word you're looking for. Presumptuous perhaps? I do think a better keeper who wouldn't be overawed by the situation would've done better, as others have noted. Take away a couple of goals (even one) and tonight's game sees us in with a chance of qualifying. It doesn't mean Schwarzer was the only thing stopping us, you could also easily argue Oar's poor pass, or Leckie's poor reaction cost us a draw or possible win. It's easier to isolate when it's a keeper error, and of greater effect - hence why the position is so important. It's not Ryan's fault in that sense - it's a selection error, similar to the one Guus made in playing Kalac against Croatia - he left him out after that game. England similarly removed Green after a howler in 2010.
Jayden
Guest
If you watch the Robben goal, Ryan's foot got caught in the grass, if it hadn't he had the shot covered, based on where his leg moved after it came unstuck. Bad luck on his end, as has been the whole tournament really :/
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
Sure, Mat Ryan will be better after this world cup and probably have a better season in Belgium with all the experience he has gained. Unfortunately, he has been Australia's most disappointing player and the one who played below expectations, while everyone else has performed above expectations. Shame because the goalkeeper is the most important player on the field and if they are performing below their best, the whole team suffers. Its too late and of no value to now speculate what could have been. I wish him all the best against Spain and hope he doesn't embarrass himself or the team too badly again.
Johnno
Guest
Sheek if you get time make a comment on the cricket schedule in the cricket section! With Warne he did develop maybe we should of taken Warne not Peter Taylor to the ODI World Cup in 1992 in Aust + NZ. Matt Ryan will be better for a WC under his belt.
sheek
Roar Guru
I think that's a rather arrogant assumption to make. That not taking Schwazer was the 'only' thing stopping the Socceroos from progressing. Neither Chile, nor Netherlands, nor Spain, are second-rate teams. The Socceroos have over-achieved so far in giving each of Chile & Netherlands a huge scare.
sheek
Roar Guru
The following example is from another sport, cricket, but the message is the same. On debut, Shane Warne captured just a single wicket in two tests, for 228 runs. But even veteran leggie Bill O'Reilly, about a year before he died, could sense the hidden gold in Warne. After nine tests, Warne wasn't troubling the scorebook too much - 14 wickets at a click under 50 runs each. But half of these wickets had come in one innings in Melbourne when he spun Australia to victory against the Windies. The talent was there. In his next 8 tests in NZ & England he captured 51 wickets & he was on his way to legend status. I think many people can see the comparison of Ryan with Warne. How he starts is less important than how he grows & progresses. I don't mind future greats starting slowly, or even poorly. You just know they will learn from their adversity. At 22, it's not unreasonable to suggest Ryan could own the keeper's position for the next 16 years, appearing in an unprecedented five world cups. Assuming Australia do qualify for the next five. In any case, we're fortunate to have Langerak as a valuable back-up.
me too
Guest
In a World Cup you take the best keeper. Full stop. You don't think about getting experience in for the next one - there's four years ahead for that. Mistake not taking Schwarzer - we would still be in this tournament going into tonight's game with one or two points - possibly more. Tim Howard is a good part of why the United States look like going through. Like Schwarzer he is not the future, but he is the now.
Hamish Alcorn
Guest
The discussion is fascinating. But I trust in Ange. And I can't bloody wait!
BES
Guest
"Mat Ryan will only get better for the Socceroos" an obvious statement, but what has that got to do with whether or not he should be starting against Spain? Because he shouldn't be. I agree with Fuss above with his analysis of Ryan's impact (not sole fault) on 5 of the 6 goals - but I would go one further. If you take another look at the 2nd goal - the fact Chile got the shot away certainly had nothing to do with Ryan, but he didn't even go up for it - and depending on which angle you take a look at the shot from, it really wasn't that far away from him. He was caught flatfooted and ball watching - literally. He is a great keeper and very likely one for the future, but has clearly been nothing short of a ball of nerves since kickoff against Chile and should not have taken the field against the Dutch. Sure we don't see what is happening at training, but we can see clearly who is NOT handling the pressure of the 'real deal'. Mitch should be starting between the sticks in our final game.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Squizz I'm not saying Ryan is solely to blame for any of the goals. But, in my opinion, Schwarzer & Langerak would've prevented at least 1-2 goals in both matches. During the WC2010 & 2014 qualifiers, our defence made blunder after blunder and thank heavens Schwarzer saved us numerous times. In my opinion, Langerak is a much better shot stopper & imposes himself in the penalty box better. Ryan's distribution may be better, but the primary function of a GK is stopping the ball from hitting the back of the net.
whiskeymac
Guest
Ultimately this is what it comes to, ange knows best. I am not adverse to langerak getting a game but his resume still reads back up and only some games, albeit for a good club. He needs games or he will be like brad Jones was to schwarzer. This Spain game is going to throw up some changes as it is, why not try langerak.
Squizz
Guest
Fuss - Ryan was to blame for 1 goal. There were plenty to blame for dropped points that seem to have escaped scot free - not bad for a team sport. Ryan at fault for one goal and is pilloried - Davidson at fault for two and is a hero. Timmy's poor decision making cost a 3-1 lead and a probable win but he is a legend. Who would be a keeper? Would I give Mitch a go? Probably. But Ange is seeing what they are doing each day and he is in a much better position to make the call.
Kaks
Roar Guru
He is 22. Making these mistakes so early in his career will only benefit him.
ken oldman
Guest
M.L. should be given his chance considering his achievements with B.D. ....after all we have nothing to loose and M.R. should understand that he has competion for his spot..........maybe M R is the best goalie in the Belgium League but to compare this league against the German League where M.L P plays is like chalk and cheese.......and to say that M.R.is much younger ..well its only 3 years difference. I say give the kid a chance...we have seen what M.R. can do and let Mitch showcase himself I,.me with you Fuss for Langerak comes out well above Ryan.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
My interpretation of the 6 goals Ryan has conceded: 1. He should have smothered the ball at the feet when he came off his line. But, he didn't. Once he was floundering in no-man's-land, CHI just had to strike the ball on target & it would go in 2. Not his fault 3. Ryan has a goal kick. If AUS plays the right ball, we get 1 more chance to attack the CHI goal. Instead Ryan launches an aimless ball that comes straight back. Yes, he makes a terrific save at the feet - Schwarzer & Langerak would've done the same. But then Ryan is beaten from about 20-30 metres. I'm confident Schwarzer or Langerak would have got the angle right & saved that. 4. I thought Ryan could have done more to get his angles right & get his hand to the ball. 5. Not Ryan's fault but, again, he didn't even get any glove to the shot 6. Ryan admits this is his fault.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"and has played in A-League grand finals." Maty Ryan has played Belgium Division 1. And, yes, we should all be rightfully proud of his achievement. But, let's not overlook what Mitch Langerak has achieved. Mitch Langerak has played in the DFB Pokal ... & won. He's played in crunch matches at the Allianz Arena in Munich ... & won. He's played in the UEFA Champions League. When it comes to playing at the highest level, in pressure-cooker environments, against the best strikers in the world .. Langerak comes out well above Ryan.
Robbie
Roar Pro
Nor did I believe Schwarzer should be in goal this World Cup. He only played a few games last season for Chelsea and was hardly spectacular. In fact, he made a couple of horrendous errors. His reflexes unfortunately aren't quite what they used to be. I didn't dare watch the 6-0 drubbing against Brazil but I remember hearing Schwarzer wasn't in his best form. Can anyone confirm this?