SOCCER: Australia's Beach backs coach after goalkeeper switch falls flat in World Cup shootout

MELBOURNE — Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach said Monday he has no issues with coach Tony Popovic's decision to replace him before the penalty shootout in the Socceroos' World Cup round-of-32 loss to Egypt, despite criticism of the tactical move.

With the match tied 1-1 after extra time in Arlington, Texas, Popovic substituted veteran goalkeeper Mat Ryan for the closing minutes in preparation for the shootout. Egypt went on to win 4-2 on penalties.

Beach said he fully supported the coach's decision and saw no reason to discuss the substitution.

"He's the coach, he makes the call, and as players we respect him and respect his decisions," Beach told reporters after arriving in Melbourne from the United States.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper impressed throughout Australia's World Cup campaign, making a crucial stoppage-time save against Egypt and recording clean sheets against Turkey and Paraguay to help the Socceroos advance to the knockout stage.

Beach said he would have been ready for the shootout had he remained on the field.

"I always have confidence and trust in myself to do the job. Playing at a World Cup on a big stage like that in front of millions of fans around the world, it's always a step up, but I'm very happy and proud of how I performed," said the Melbourne City goalkeeper.

Australia will now shift its focus to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, which begins in January, before hosting Brazil in two international friendlies in September.

"We'll try to do something special there," Beach said of the Asian Cup.

"There's a lot of talent in this group. A lot of hard work has been put in, and you're seeing the results now." -Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Peter Rutheford/Reuters