Arnold: form of Roos to improve
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold is adamant his team is “over achieving” at the Asian Cup amid questions about patchy form and a lack of goals.
He singled out rookie striker Kusini Yengi for praise after Australia’s 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan in its final pool match.
The point gained at Al-Janoub Stadium was enough for the Socceroos to top Group B and secure an easier roundof-16 clash on Sunday night against one of the best-four, third-ranked group teams to advance to the knockout stages.
However, the Australians again struggled in attack, with Arnold lamenting the lack of a cutting edge in the final third of the pitch.
“We played some good combination football, we played some good attacking football, but it’s the last pass, and it’s the last maybe cut back or finish – that’s down to the individual,” he said. “The individual needs to put them in the back of the net – I can’t do that.”
The Socceroos needed a dubious penalty – converted by Martin Boyle – to score against Uzbekistan after Japanese referee Yusuke Araki checked video footage – on VAR recommendation – and found the ball had touched the arm of Uzbekistan midfielder Odiljon Hamrobekov in the box.
The penalty proved crucial as Uzbekistan, which would have topped the group with a win, scored in the second half through Azizbek Turgunboev.
“Do you know how hard it is to get 26 players together who play all around the world in different competitions? We have great team culture and mateship. When energy is high and the boys are good mates, you can over achieve, and that’s what we’re doing,” Arnold said.