Arnold highlights need for speed up front
Australia are banking on pace and versatility up front to win back-to-back Asian Cups as they embark on a new era without stalwarts Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak.
The makeup of the Socceroos squad for the 2019 Asian Cup is markedly changed to the one that triumphed against South Korea in the final on home soil four years ago.
Gone is tough-as-teak manager Ange Postecoglou, the architect of that Asian Cup success.
At the helm now is Graham Arnold, who returns to the international fold having last coached his country in 2007 when the Aussies bowed out of the Asian Cup at the quarterfinal stage.
The majority of the 23-man squad in the UAE for the January 5-February 1 tournament, have never experienced the cut and thrust of Asian Cup football before.
Since taking the reins after Australia’s poor showing at their fourth consecutive World Cup in Russia, when Bert van Marwijk was in charge, Arnold has asserted his authority with the team unbeaten in his four games in charge.
He has jettisoned several players and changed the style of play.
For years, Australia relied on the goal threat of Cahill, who called time on his international career after last summer’s World Cup with 50 goals in 107 caps.
With Cahill gone, Arnold favours an attacking troika. “The need for speed is up front,” Arnold said, naming players who can “make a difference” in such a role – Matt Leckie, Jamie Maclaren, Andrew Nabbout, Chris Ikonomidis, Awer Mabil, Robbie Kruse and Tom Rogic.
“They’re technically very good but quick,” he said. “People talk about the goalscoring side of it – we’ve got goalscorers everywhere.”
Arnold is keeping opposition teams guessing who will lead the line. Maclaren and Leckie would seem to be the frontrunners.
He was also banking on Martin Boyle, but the Hibernian striker was ruled out of the eve of the tournament after picking up a knee injury in their 5-0 rout of Oman in a warm-up game on Sunday.
Australia named striker Apostolos Giannou as a replacement for Boyle, with the Cyprus-based 28-year-old joining Arnold’s squad on Thursday.
Arnold was already without his two most creative players. Midfielders Daniel Arzani and Aaron Mooy of Manchester City and Huddersfield Town respectively have been ruled out due to knee injuries.
Only South Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia have managed back-to-back Asian Cup titles. Australia first need to get through Group B, which also includes Jordan, Syria and Palestine.