Sunday Territorian

Heat will be on Socceroos, and Arnold wouldn’t have it any other way

-

THE Socceroos could be in for a hostile reception when they take the field in tonight’s Asian Cup opener against Jordan.

The Asian Football Confederat­ion has been short on details about ticket sales for Australia’s first match at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.

But anecdotal evidence indicates Jordanians living in the United Arab Emirates are being given free tickets, and that a boisterous opposition crowd will turn out at the 16,000 capacity ground to support “The Chivalrous”, coached by Belgian Vital Borkelmans.

The Socceroos’ third match against Syria at the same venue on January 15 has already been sold out, as supporters throw their weight behind their nation in the hope of an upset they very nearly pulled off in World Cup qualifying.

Syria coach Bernd Stange, of former Perth Glory fame, labelled the fans “the most important weapon of our team”.

It shapes for a starkly different environmen­t than 2015, when the Socceroos fed off home support on their way to triumph.

Not that Graham Arnold was worried – quite the contrary – contending they’ll use antagonism to their advantage.

“The boys all play in big leagues, they play away from home with their clubs in big games,” Arnold said.

“We’ve got this wonderful environmen­t, this wonderful team spirit. You’ve seen it in training.

“You see the camaraderi­e and the intensity and the energy. When you have that, the boys will fight for each other.”

The last time Australia played Jordan the nation was coached by Harry Redknapp, one of seven to come and go since exiting in the group stage of the last Asian Cup.

Ange Postecoglo­u’s side thrashed Jordan 5-1 in that March 2016 World Cup qualifier, payback for a 2-0 away loss the previous October under yet another manager.

Arnold said he hadn’t analysed either match.

“I had nothing to do with that ... whatever has happened in the past is past, it’s all about now and the future,” he said.

 ??  ?? Socceroos coach Graham Arnold
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Australia