Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

ARNOLD HAS HIS AUSSIES ALL FIRED UP

- BY MATTHEW DUNN

AUSTRALIA coach Graham Arnold vowed to fight “fire with fire” in a bid to end his sleepless nights waiting for a World Cup victory.

It is 12 years since the Socceroos last won a finals game, when they beat Serbia in 2010.

But unlike the flair and fluency that saw France ease past them 4-1 in the opening match, Arnold (above) predicts a more blood-and-thunder affair today against the Tunisians.

Around 40,000 Tunisians are believed to reside in Doha and Arnold has prepared his players to expect a battlegrou­nd in the Al Janoub Stadium.

“We’ve got to be ready for that war,” he said. “They are aggressive and are going to have 40,000 fans behind them.

“It’s going to be a truly amazing experience again for everyone. We need to fight fire with fire, especially from the start.

“And then, when we’re up, put the fire out.”

Arnold took over following the 2018 finals and admits he has struggled coping with the wait to end Australia’s win drought.

“I haven’t slept for a long time, wanting that World Cup victory,” he added. “And it’s not for me, it’s for the nation – only two wins in 17 games.

“There’s nothing more I want than to put a smile on Australian faces.”

Tunisia midfielder Ellyes Skhiri is renowned in Germany, where he plays for FC Cologne, for his incredible running statistics.

In the 2020-21 season, he racked up 246.2 miles in 32 Bundesliga games – five miles more than any other player.

Skhiri said: “I do run a great deal – and that is part of football.

“Before I got here for the World Cup, we had 12 matches in six weeks – matches time and time again – and I was still running all the time.

“If I am part of the starting 11, I will do the best for the team.”

HEAD TO HEAD: Tunisia lead 1-0

TUNISIA: Dahmen, Bronn, Meriah, Talbi, Drager, Skhiri, Laidouni, Abdi, Slimane, Khazri, Jebali

AUSTRALIA: Ryan, Karacic, Souttar, Rowles, Behich, Irvine, Mooy, Hrustic, Leckie, Maclaren, Goodwin

REFEREE: Daniel Siebert (Germany)

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