Arnold sees the upside

Copa draw pleases coach

SOCCEROOS coach Graham Arnold is daring to dream after Australia’s draw alongside cohosts Argentina, and global superstar Lionel Messi, for next year’s Copa America.

Yesterday’s draw in Colombia for the South American continental championship put Australia into Group A, alongside the two-time World Cup champions as well as Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia and old rivals Uruguay.

The Socceroos will play a group match against each of the five, with the top four from Group A and Group B progressing to the quarter-finals of the 12-nation tournament.

The provisional draw has Australia kicking off in Cordoba against Uruguay – the nation the Socceroos got past in a playoff in 2005 to reach their first World Cup since 1974.

The Socceroos then take on Paraguay and Bolivia before facing Argentina and Messi in Buenos Aires on June 26.

Arnold said despite the world-class nature of their opposition, he was aiming to make the most of Australia’s invitation to be a guest nation at the tournament.

“We’ve got Argentina lined up in our sights,” he said.

“We coach the team to go out there with the mentality of

winning the game. Nothing will be different.

“Why can’t we go out there and shock the world and beat Argentina in their own country? That’s the expectation.

“Top four is our first goal, yes, to get through to the quarter-finals.”

Arnold concedes he faces a challenge across multiple fronts with Australia set to play two World Cup qualifiers shortly before the Copa begins on June 12, plus his role of leading the Olyroos at the Olympic Games if they can qualify for the event.

“The players are hungry for it,” he said.

“My full focus at the moment are these four World Cup qualifiers and getting us qualified as quickly as possible and the Olyroos in January.

“But to be able to go to the Copa America and give people the experience of tough competitions against top players and such a prestigious tournament is going to be great for the next phase of our World Cup qualifiers.”