Former Socceroos goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac launched a scathing attack on Jason Cummings’ performance off the bench against France, describing the striker’s showing as “absolutely minging”.
Cummings replaced Mitchell Duke in the 56th minute with the Aussies down by a goal, but the Central Coast Mariners star struggled to get involved in the game or link up with his teammates as he completed just six passes.
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And Kalac, who made a solo appearance for the Socceroos in the 2006 World Cup, didn’t hold back in his assessment.
“Mate, he was minging,” Kalac told Club Neds.
“He was absolutely minging.
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“I think the bet should have been, when he came on, if it was live betting, is he going to touch the ball more than three times?
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“Mate, he was non-existent. We basically played with ten men when he came on.”
As Cummings did his utmost to make things happen in the time he was on the pitch, Jamie Maclaren, who has an astonishing eight goals in six A-League Men’s games this season for Melbourne City, remained on the bench.
Given Maclaren’s scintillating form, it left Kalac baffled as to why he wasn’t the first option Arnold turned to when replacing Duke.
However, when asked why Cummings was brought on over Maclaren, the former Aussie gloveman did have a response with tongue firmly planted in-cheek.
“Because he didn’t play for Central Coast Mariners,” Kalac said.
“I don’t know, mate. Seriously, some of the decisions.
“As I said, coaches live and die by their own decisions.
“But it makes sense if you’re looking for a goal. OK, you haven’t started with Jamie Maclaren. Fair enough.
“But you’re making a sub, you’re losing 2-1, you want a goal and you don’t bring in an absolute goalscorer? I just don’t get it.”
