Megan Rapinoe was not within the temper for struggling fools.
The American star was blunt throughout a clumsy trade with a reporter following her workforce’s 0-0 draw with Portugal which noticed the reigning world champions on the point of a disastrous exit.
The powerhouse American workforce, which has not misplaced on the Women’s World Cup since 2011, has regarded nothing just like the all-conquering facet that has gained the previous two World Cups — and the strain seems to have caught up with the 38-year-old as she walked off Eden Park understanding she was millimetres away from retirement.
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Rapinoe and teammates had been seen dancing after the complete time siren, surviving via to a Round of 16 match in opposition to the highest workforce from Group G, which will probably be selected Wednesday.
It was the workforce’s worst-ever efficiency within the World Cup group stage with simply 5 factors, ending behind the Netherlands.
It is the primary time the USA have did not high their World Cup group since 2011.
A TV reporter requested Rapinoe concerning the 2011 group stage consequence — however then dropped her bundle when suggesting the Americans had gone on to win the event. They didn’t.
“You go through as second in the group and actually the last time it happened, and the only time, was in 2011 and you guys were still World Champions at the end,” the journalist requested Rapinoe.
Rapinoe responded: “Well, Japan won in 2011. We didn’t actually make it to the final. But if you want to get to the final you’ve got to make it through the group stage, I guess… (that’s a) line of logic.”
Rapinoe was simply as icy when the journalist requested about her choice for which workforce they are going to face within the Round of 16.
“Just the next one. I don’t think we get a hand-pick of it at this point. We’ll check them out and prepare for the next game,” she mentioned.
Rapinoe confirmed a bit extra emotion in different interviews she performed post-match and at one level bought a bit too excited when describing the second her coronary heart was in her mouth when Portugal substitute Ana Capeta practically gained the sport within the 92nd minute with a shot that hit the put up.
“I was like, f***. Right at the end, I mean, yeah, that’s stressful,” Rapinoe mentioned.
“Because you’re out. If that goes in, you’re out. Your whole international career is over. It’s terrible.”
Rapinoe and teammates have been getting torched by critics all over the world — most notably from her former teammate Carli Lloyd.
Speaking on Fox Sports, Lloyd didn’t maintain again concerning the efficiency.
“Today was uninspiring. Disappointing. They don’t look fit,” she mentioned.
“They’re playing as individuals and the tactics are too predictable.
“There’s a difference between confident and arrogance. Where is the direction going?”
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski had a unique view on his workforce’s aggressive stage in his post-game feedback.
“This team wanted to win this game more than anything else and they’ve put everything they could in preparation for this tournament,” Andonovski mentioned in response to Lloyd.
“To question the mentality of this team, to question the willingness to win, to compete … I think it’s insane. I’ve never seen this team step on the field and not try hard and not compete.”
Originally revealed as ‘Line of logic’: American legend Megan Rapinoe shuts down journo after terrible query
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au