Arnold has full belief in strong start for Socceroos on the Gold Coast
Subway Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold has every belief that the squad he has named for Australia’s AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 campaign against Bahrain and Indonesia will get the job done.
That job, according to Arnold, is to win both matches, the first of which is against Bahrain on the Gold Coast on Thursday, 5 September.
Speaking from the Gold Coast at today's press conference, Arnie told the media that the messaging within the group is clear - get off to a good start in Round Three and build from there.
"I’ve been with them now for six years, they are clear on what the messaging is and what my expectations and goals are,” he said.
“It’s about getting out on the field and doing the nation proud and making sure we get the result and get off to a good start.”
The Socceroos boss added that the third round of World Cup qualification represents a fresh start for the team and now he wants the group focused solely on the task at hand.
“We need to focus on our job, get that job done, because it’s important. It’s one game at a time, it’s a clean sheet of paper, phase two is over and phase three is beginning," he continued.
“Everyone starts on zero points, zero goals for and against, and it all starts from now.”
With two games in five days, mixed in with plenty of travel from their respective clubs to Australia and then Indonesia, Arnold is acutely aware that strength in depth throughout the squad will be important.
Arnie admitted that minutes could be shared across the entire group.
“Playing two games in five days, it gives me the option to play everyone if that is the case,” he told the media.
“But what’s important is we get the right blend and mix on the field, and my only focus at the moment is Bahrain and getting off to the right start."
Two members of the Socceroos squad will get the chance to play in front of their friends and family on the Gold Coast - Kye Rowles and Aiden O’Neill both grew up in the area and Arnold is pleased the pair are getting the opportunity to represent their nation on home turf.
"Kye Rowles and Aiden O’Neill are very, very excited to be playing here on the Gold Coast, they’re both in very good form and its a great opportunity for them to play not just in front of the fans but in front of their family and friends,” he said.
Speaking of O’Neill, the Standard Liege midfielder returns to the squad for the first time since the AFC Asian Cup earlier this year, as do Maty Ryan, Craig Goodwin, Thomas Deng, Sam Silvera, Lewis Miller, and Awer Mabil.
Arnold said Mabil’s impressive club form had to be rewarded with a call-up and that he included more wingers than usual to help with breaking down our upcoming opponents.
“Awer has been in very good form for Grasshoppers, and he’s the type of player who can make an impact as well,” he said.
“If you look at the squad selection, I have gone for more wingers this time than I did previous times, less number 9s, and for these two games especially we will need those types of players.”
Speaking on Nestory Irankunda, Arnie denied any doubts over his fitness and said he is excited to see his improvement after a positive pre-season at Bayern Munich in Germany.
"I spoke to Nestory yesterday, it was a surprise to me seeing that type of article, because he didn’t mention to me anything like that about getting any injuries so I don't know how true that was,” he continued.
“Nestory obviously training with Bayern Munich and training with those types of players, he is just going to improve, so I am really excited to see him when he comes into camp.”
Finally, Arnold issued a message to the people of the Gold Coast and surrounding areas to snap up the remaining tickets for the match and get behind the players.
"I urge all the fans to get those tickets because we need their 12th man support for this game starting the World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain next week.
"It is the first time in history the Socceroos have played on the Gold Coast!”
MATCH DETAILS:
Subway Socceroos v Bahrain
Thursday, 5 September 2024
Robina Stadium, Gold Coast
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEST
Tickets: Start from $15 Child, $20 Concession, $29 Adult, and $58 Family. Tickets from Ticketmaster.
Broadcast: 10 (Bold in Perth), 10 Play and Paramount+
Indonesia v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday 10 September 2024
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 10.00pm AEST
Broadcast: Paramount+