Fresh fury over 'ridiculous' World Cup rule change as Socceroos advance to Round of 32

Football fans have once again blasting the addition of hydration breaks at the FIFA World Cup after the Socceroos had all their early momentum disrupted against Paraguay. The Socceroos secured a 0-0 draw in their final group game and advanced to the Round of 32 as the second-place finisher in Group D.

Australia dominated the early stages against Paraguay in San Francisco, having a number of shots on target but failing to find the back of the net. The Socceroos only needed a draw to progress to the Round of 32, and went to the half-time break level at 0-0.

But fans were fuming that all the early running the Socceroos made came to a crashing halt on 22 minutes. The referee called a halt to proceedings so the players could stop for a drink, after FIFA introduced mandatory hydration breaks at this year's tournament. It gave Paraguay a much-needed break that stopped Australia's momentum in its tracks.

The Socceroos were once again the more dominant side after the drinks break, but Paraguay were spared having to defend for 45 minutes straight. It was a slightly different situation in the second half, with Paraguay fighting back and Australia appearing to need the break more on 67 minutes.

One person wrote on social media: "Socceroos solid start broken up by this ridiculous hydration break." Another wrote: "Hydration Break? Whatever happened to creating attrition? International Football has become 75 minutes of bugger all and 15 minutes of actual play."

While a third added: "Sure I'm the millionth person to say it, but a hydration break twenty minutes into a game played in a climate controlled environment? Embarrassment to professional sports."

Thankfully the rule change didn't cost the Socceroos as the 0-0 draw got them into the Round of 32. They await the second-place finisher from Group G in the next round, which will be decided on Saturday when Egypt play Iran and New Zealand battle Belgium.

Socceroos great says it 'shouldn't be allowed'

The hydration breaks have been labelled a shameless attempt to get more ad breaks into the game. Socceroos great Craig Foster bemoaned the change at the start of the tournament and questioned why coaches are also allowed to speak to the players during the stoppages.

"It's changed the game. Not always needed, too long, tactical instructions shouldn't be allowed," Foster wrote online. "It's become a timeout, not just a hydration break. And an advertising insert. Coach interventions, rather than a player-led game. Exactly what football is not."

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic revealed he'd spoken to AFL coaches about how best to utilise what has essentially become a four-quarter game. "We are looking at all of that to see where we can get an advantage over the opponent and where we can be better than someone else," he said.

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