Winning ugly is their way
GRAHAM Arnold’s Socceroos want to not just master the art of winning ugly, but are determined to use that approach to create World Cup history for Australia.
Arnold’s team has the goal of becoming just the second Socceroos side, after the 2006 golden generation, to reach the knockout stages following Saturday’s historic 1-0 over Tunisia, which leaves destiny in their hands.
Denmark’s 2-1 loss to France means a draw should be enough for the Socceroos to progress – barring an upset from Tunisia over the defending world champions in Group D’s final game.
Arnold didn’t have to wait long to be reminded of the next challenge, with Denmark raised in the first question in his post-match press conference.
“Can I just have five seconds to enjoy this?” he joked.
But the question cut to the core of what Arnold himself told his players amid their onfield celebrations.
“I’m very proud. And no doubt the nation is extremely proud. But we’ve done nothing,” Arnold told his triumphant team as they formed a circle around him in the middle of Al-Janoub Stadium.
“You have achieved something to talk about after the tournament. But we’re here to go as far as we can go. I don’t want any celebration. Just enjoy these couple of minutes with the fans here in the stadium. Get yourself in the dressing room, ice baths, recover and get ready for the next one.”
After one of his finest displays in national colours in a gruelling, pulsating contest, Aaron Mooy was utterly exhausted. He knew it wasn’t the prettiest of wins, nor the prettiest of winners via Mitchell Duke’s goal, but it was what Australia demanded.
As Arnold said afterwards, it was fight, grit and determination: the Aussie way.
“We just adapt to the situation. Obviously we want to play good football, but sometimes it’s not always possible,” Mooy said. “You have to win your battles and we got the points today, we did the hard stuff, the battling, one-on-one duels.”
Being honest with themselves about winning ugly is what may well have just saved Australia’s World Cup following a dispiriting first-up defeat to France.
Fiery defender Milos Degenek says the approach is simply about Australia showing respect for themselves and proving that the only commodity worth chasing is victories.
“You can’t disrespect yourself and say I’m Aussie, they’re Brazilians, they are born with the ball at their feet,” he said. “Sometimes you have to be realistic and be honest with your strengths and weaknesses, and our strength is that fighting mentality. I’d be the happiest guy on earth if we had 15 per cent possession, one shot on goal and the other team had 25 shots on goal and Maty saved them all and we win every game and win the World Cup.”