Socceroos aggrieved by referee’s ‘stinker’ in World Cup defeat to USA

• German official Felix Zwayer faces criticism for perceived injustices

• Tony Popovic encouraged by much improved second-half performance

Referee Felix Zwayer has come in for criticism from the Socceroos, who labelled the German’s performance a “stinker” after what they believed was a series of injustices in their 2-0 defeat to the USA in the World Cup match in Seattle.

The co-hosts’ second goal was awarded by the video referee, and it was contentious given what appeared to be an offside player in the proximity of goalkeeper Patrick Beach when he tried to recover from a misdirected shot.