Socceroos goalkeepers Patrick Beach and Mat Ryan have revealed they only learned of their extra-time substitution in the moment and it was not floated pre-game.

Coach Tony Popovic’s late-game switch of the in-form Beach in favour of deposed captain Ryan, turned heads around Dallas Stadium with Australia and Egypt locked at 1-1 as extra-time expired and penalties beckoned.

It was reminiscent of Graham Arnold’s decision to withdraw Ryan for deputy Andrew Redmayne in their final World Cup qualifying match in 2022, paving the way for the latter to dance along the goal-line, save a decisive spot-kick and cement a World Cup berth.

Alas, on this ocassion, the late-game swap did not come up trumps as Australia fell 4-2 on penalties, Ryan unable to prevent any of Egypt’s four takers from finding the net.

Beach said he had not been alerted to the plan in advance and it was only when he saw his number on the fourth official’s board and Ryan on the touchline he realised he was coming up.

“I found out at the same time you guys did, so there’s obviously a plan that was put in place, and it wasn’t for us to know about,” he said.

“Our job is just to focus on the game and what’s happening in the moment, and obviously there was a general decision and discussion that was had, and that’s it.

The coaches made a decision, and as far as it goes, Matty and I, he had to do the job, whatever works best for the team and bring the best outcome for our team.

“It’s not something that’s obviously going to be brought up. You don’t need the distractions, you don’t need the extra thoughts, you just need to be in the moment.”

Beach, who made a stunning one-handed save late in the second-half to prevent an injury-time winner, refused to blame Popovic and said he supported his coach’s decision.

“I would love to be in the penalty shootout, but that’s the decision the boss has made, and there’s no other feelings,” he said.

“I respect him and respect that decision, and again, I understand there would have been previous discussions before this moment for that to be done. They went with the decision they thought was best, and that’s that.”

Ryan said he learned of the plan in extra-time when he and fellow goalkeeper Paul Izzo were told to warm up.

“Probably just before half-time of extra time, I got told that if we weren’t going to make any more subs, right at the end they were going to put me in there,” he said.

“I prepared if I was going to play before the game or if I was going to be in that scenario, as I always do.”

Ryan, Australia’s second-most capped goalkeeper behind Mark Schwarzer, was left devastated post-game.

“I’m hurting at the moment because I wasn’t able to produce for myself, for my teammates and for the country....hurting would be an understatement.

“I’ve been retracing my own steps and trying to work out why it didn’t go to plan and just come to terms with that.”

Ryan hailed the performances of 22 year-old Beach across the tournament.

“He’s been obviously rock-solid this campaign, even better than that. For someone at that stage of his career to come in and do what he’s done, it takes a great mentality, first and foremost, to do so,” he said.

“He’s looked nothing but calm and composed and he’s come through again for the team when it’s needed it.”

Beach, the Melbourne City shot-stopper, admitted there was overseas interest in him but he had been more focused on the World Cup.

“I’m going to take a few days now to understand all that’s happened. This has all been for me about the World Cup for Australia, and what we can achieve.

“There’s interest out there, of course, but for me I’m just focused on getting back to Australia and having a little bit of time off and then I’ll know more for that.

“There’s always interest — ask any of the boys, there’s always interest with the games at a World Cup and performances but that’s that’s for me to know.”