Peter Schmeichel was critical of Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner for the role he played during USA’s 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands at the Qatar World Cup.
The legendary shot-stopper and treble-winner with Manchester United stated that Turner should have saved Memphis Depay’s opening goal for the Dutch in Doha.
Denzel Dumfries, who caused the Americans all sorts of problems on the night, burst down the right flank and put in a brilliant low cross, which was cooly slotted home by Depay in the middle of the penalty area.
But as the cross was put into the box, Turner didn’t shuffle across to the middle of his goal, which left Schmeichel bemused.
He thinks if Arsenal’s summer signing did that, then it would have been an ‘easy’ save because, at the time, he felt that Gregg Berhalter’s side were on top, as he told beINSPORTS (03/12/22 at 6:25 pm).
“On the first goal, at a time when The Netherlands aren’t even in the game,” said Schmeichel. “The USA are running the game, at this time. It’s a great move, but it’s also made a lot easier by little mistakes on the pitch.
“The goalkeeper. When the ball is crossed into the box, he’s in that position (near his post) where if this guy has a shot, he covers that.
“But he doesn’t move (shuffle across to his right when the cross is put into the centre). The ball comes in, and then he has to move with that, so he always keeps the same angle to the two goalposts. If he moves, with the ball, like he is supposed to do, then it’s an easy save. He wasn’t that far away from getting it. You imagine if he had been in the right position, then it would have been an easy save.
“I am a little disappointed in the goalkeeper. He stays in the same position like he is expecting a shot (from the wings) – it was a weird one, why didn’t he move?”
MIXED TOURNAMENT FOR TURNER
During the group stages, Turner didn’t have much to do in between the sticks because those in front of him protected the box very well.
Against England, he did fair well, because he commanded his box and calmed down any possible panic situations when the USA’s box was attacked.
But, against The Netherlands, when he was asked more questions, he didn’t answer them, so he will head back to north London pretty disappointed.
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