How Arnold harnessed 'fantastic' Socceroos' club form to overcome China

The Socceroos coaching staff have spent the last few weeks devising a plan to make the most of the squad's most in-form attacking weapons.  

And against China, they managed to do exactly that. 

The likes of Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle and Mitch Duke have all had no trouble finding the back of the net for their respective clubs over the last few weeks. 

And the trio repeated the dose in a Green and Gold shirt, grabbing a goal each in the Socceroos' 3-0 win over China on Friday morning (AEST). 

Speaking post-game, Head Coach Graham Arnold revealed how his game plan incorporated employing players in familiar roles.

"We've been looking closely at the roles the boys have been playing at their clubs as indiviuduals," he said.

"Pretty much, we're just replicating that and asking them to do the same as what they were doing at their clubs, rather than confusing them with something else. 

"So we focused on that and the boys gelled well."

While Arnold praised a 'fantastic' performance that saw his side overcome China comfortably, he believes that his squad still have plenty more to offer. 

"I'm very proud of the performance and there's a lot more improvement left," he shared.

"It was just simple messaging, the boys are extremely fit, and when you bring the family back together the mateship of the boys is so crucial - I thought we were fantastic tonight." 

Now, attention turns to making it two from two when the squad face Vietnam in Hanoi on Tuesday night. 

"The most important thing now is the boys recover well and get ready for Vietnam," Arnold enforced. "We have to go across there on Saturday and be ready for that game."