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Qualification for the knockout rounds had been objective numero uno for Graham Arnold but the Football Australia head coach earned scathing criticism for voicing his belief prior to the competition.
Analysts, pundits and former players were further dismayed following their 4-1 defeat to France in their opening round meeting. However, Team Australia have placed themselves favourably with a 1-0 win over Tunisia.
Mitchell Duke’s solitary strike ended their 12-year wait for a victory at the quadrennial FIFA event. It also means that the Socceroos only need a draw against Denmark and qualification for the knockout rounds will be guaranteed.
Arnold is understandably upbeat and has taken out time to give footballing lessons to his detractors. The 59-year-old is eyeing a place in the Round of 16 and asked the naysayers to put their credentials forward.
Arnold has had his back to the wall since taking over team Australia. Every aspect of his decision-making has been questioned, from squad selection to tactics on the pitch, have come under severe scrutiny.
The former Sydney FC manager is used to the constant bickering about him and the Socceroos. He believes the loudest voices have no managerial experience and taking their comments on the national team is not worth his time.
‘Who cares? They’ve never coached,’ Arnold remarked. ‘I haven’t seen who is critical. But I think some of them have never even been to a World Cup.
‘So I don’t listen to them. They have no effect on my life.’
Round of 16 fate in their own hands
Mitch Duke dedicates his goal to his son, who celebrated the same way in the stands 🥲
📸 @Socceroos #FIFAWorldCup #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/k7lEj6YiwQ
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) November 26, 2022
All eyes have been on the Socceroos’ performances at the FIFA World Cup 2022. Their 4-1 defeat after taking the lead in the ninth minute through Craig Goodwin was disappointing to say the least.
Failure to win against Tunisia would have rendered their final group meeting useless. Mitchell Duke’s strike has allowed them to dream big and the moments they have created would stay with them forever.
Given the quick turnaround of fixtures in Qatar 2022, Arnold wants his charges to cherish these memories as they not only have an impact on them but also on Australian fans.
‘It’s a moment they’ll remember for the rest of their lives,’ he said.
‘I just want them to enjoy. That is what I said to the boys before the game: let’s put a smile on the nation’s face.
‘There’s one or two teams that bring the nation together and that’s the Socceroos and the Matildas.
‘When the Socceroos play at the World Cups, AFL fans, rugby league fans, they will become football fans.
‘I can imagine the celebrations going on back home […] there will be a few hangovers in the morning.
‘I won’t have one.’
What a night! What a game 🙌🏽. Congrats @Socceroos on the win against Tunisia in the @FIFAWorldCup . And thanks to all the fans that made it out to support them! 💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/ZWKJJ5G4Rx
— Fed Square (@FedSquare) November 27, 2022
Heading into the final fixture, Australia are master of their own destiny. Denmark’s 2-1 defeat to France makes them desperate in their H2H meeting. Arnold wants his players to understand the gravity of the situation, one in which they need to keep their cool to realize their objectives.
‘When I got the boys in a circle after the game, I told them: “I’m very proud but we have achieved nothing at the moment”,’ he said.
‘We can talk after about a win that hasn’t been done for 12 years, but we’re here to go as far as we can go.
‘That one game is done and I don’t want any notion from the players, I don’t want them sitting up all night looking at social media and all that stuff. It’s about sleeping well, recovering well and getting the mindset ready for Denmark.’
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