EVERTON keeper Asmir Begovic has applauded Ange Postecoglou’s non-stop style of play after the goalless draw in the Sydney Super Cup yesterday.
The Bosnian shotstopper was brought in by Frank Lampard to face the champions with regular No.1 Jordan Pickford in Qatar where he will face Iran in England’s World Cup opener this afternoon.
Begovic took the opportunity to shine on a rare first-team appearance as he made some good stops to deny Kyogo Furuhashi, Filipe Jota and David Turnbull in the first-half.
BEGOVIC v KYOGO PART ONE…the Everton keeper denies the Celtic striker with a solid block.
He also blocked a close-range effort from the Japanese striker after the turnaround when it looked as though the Celtic talisman must score the breakthrough goal.
The former Stoke City, Chelsea and Bournemouth netminder wasn’t asked to perform any heroics in the penalty-kick shoot-out with Giorgos Giakoumakis blazing wildly over the bar and Reo Hatate striking a post as the Merseyside outfit stuck four past Joe Hart.
However, Begovic was quick to praise the Parkhead side when he said: “It was nice to win, nice to put on a performance, and when you play a team like Celtic you know you’re always going to be in for a competitive game – that’s exactly what we got.
“I think the commitment, the effort the attitude was spot on [from both sides], which is exactly what you need.
“Obviously, we’ve had a long few days travelling and everything so we need to be fully committed to get a performance.”
KYOGO v BEGOVIC PART TWO…the Celtic hitman is thwarted again by the Bosnian keeper after the break.
On his second-half save to thwart Kyogo, the 35-year-old keeper, speaking to Everton TV, added: “Obviously, he is the favourite to score in that situation, so, for me, it’s just about making myself as big as possible and giving it a go.
“It’s nice to contribute when called upon. The boys in front of me did a great job all game.
“I thought we were really tight, compact and aggressive as a unit, but, of course, if it comes through and you can help with a couple of saves then that’s a good thing for me.”