Arnold Stands By Critique Of 'honest' Team
The Sunday Age
Sunday July 15, 2007
SOCCEROOS coach Graham Arnold yesterday refused to back down from his scathing post-game criticism of his players after the shock Asian Cup loss to Iraq and said that he hoped his remarks would spur them into an improved performance against Thailand.
Arnold urged the Socceroos to take their cue from Australia's World Cup-winning cricket team, which in 1999 lost its first two matches before winning the trophy.Arnold also revealed that former Australian skipper Steve Waugh, who has been mentoring the team, rang yesterday to emphasise that the Socceroos were still in charge of their own destiny given that a victory over Thailand would almost certainly see them through to the second phase."I'm a fighter and these guys are fighters, too. Until it's shown 100 per cent that we can't make it, I won't believe it, " Arnold said."I had a phone call from Steve Waugh this morning saying 'you are only one win away from reaching your goals'. We have still got this wonderful opportunity. I have tried to spark the team because you can see that the performances are flat. I am trying to give them a challenge."Arnold said he was planning to meet with the players last night to discuss the approach to tomorrow night's match, for which he could make several changes to the starting line-up."The Australian cricket team lost two games and went on to win the World Cup. The challenge is to throw everything at Thailand. We have got a great chance because we are mentally stronger than Thailand. We are in the position where Australians love to be - underdogs with our backs to the wall. All Australian sportsmen love a dogfight."One of the problems may have been the empty stadiums (and the accompanying lack of atmosphere). This time there might be a full stadium and the pressure will be on Thailand."Following the dire loss to Iraq, Arnold said some of his players seemed like they didn't want to be there and singled out Lucas Neill as having a poor game even before he was sent off. Yesterday Arnold praised Harry Kewell for admitting he had been poor and that the players must pull their fingers out."The players are an honest bunch of people. I am honest, maybe too honest at times. Harry has said that, I believe, which is great when players say that, because sometimes they have got to put their hands up, as well."Arnold will have to make one enforced change, replacing vice-captain Neill because of the red card. Neill subsequently apologised to his teammates at dinner after the game, the coach said.Arnold indicated that defenders Mark Milligan and Michael Beauchamp were in his thoughts. That could mean Patrick Kisnorbo, who has not had the best of games against Oman and Iraq, left out at the heart of defence."We might have to tinker with the system. Milligan and Beauchamp are figuring in my thoughts," he said. "Lucas has apologised to the group and everyone for getting sent off."Arnold is concerned over Thailand's pace, but doesn't expect the hosts, who only need a draw to progress, to try to defend for 90 minutes."Thailand are quick all over the park," he said. "I don't think they will defend close to their goal because they will be worried by our aerial threat. "I don't think they will try to defend for 90 minutes. The fact of the matter is we only have to beat them as long as Iraq get the right result (a draw or a win over Oman)."
© 2007 The Sunday Age