Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has set his group the aim of dominating the subsequent spherical of World Cup qualifying, saying he doesn’t need to expertise “one other Peru”.
The Socceroos beat Palestine 5-0 in Perth on Tuesday night time to complete their first section of qualifying with an ideal six-from-six wins and a 22-0 for-and-against document.
Regardless of their dominance, it was not sufficient for Australia to overhaul South Korea on the planet rankings, that means they miss out on a spot in pot one for the subsequent spherical of qualifying.
The importance of that’s massive, provided that Australia will now have both Japan, Iran or South Korea of their group.
Solely the highest two groups from every group of six within the subsequent section will earn automated qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The groups who end third and fourth might be thrust into one other group stage, the place the stakes might be larger.
Australia needed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup the arduous approach, with their struggles throughout the later group section forcing them right into a sudden-death play-off in opposition to Peru.
The Socceroos bucked the chances to beat Peru by way of a dramatic penalty shootout, and Arnold desires to keep away from such dramas this time round.
“Once we went by the final marketing campaign we gained the primary 11 (matches),” Arnold mentioned. “It’s one other aim that I’ve set the boys to attain one thing particular – profitable greater than 11 video games straight.
“I’ve excessive expectations on a regular basis and I drive these excessive expectations to the boys and I don’t need to undergo one other Peru sport. That’s the very last thing that I would like.”
Australia made it to the spherical of 16 on the 2022 World Cup, with their run ended by eventual champions Argentina.
Arnold desires to not less than make the quarterfinals in 2026, and he believes he’ll have the expertise to attain the formidable aim.
“The final 16 was a historic second for the Socceroos and what we did, however there’s boys enjoying within the larger leagues now,” Arnold mentioned.
“(Alessandro) Circati was unbelievable in opposition to Palestine, and he’s so mature for his age – 20 years previous.
“I believe that’s a tip of the iceberg as a result of subsequent yr he’s going to be enjoying in Serie A in Italy in opposition to some unbelievable strikers, so he’s going to get higher and higher.
“And so is Cam Burgess (within the EPL) and Connor Metcalfe (within the Bundesliga) and these youthful ones.”
Arguably Australia’s brightest expertise with the largest upside is Nestory Irankunda, who scored his maiden worldwide aim in opposition to Palestine and has signed with Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
Nestory Irankunda of Australia celebrates his aim. (Picture by Paul Kane/Getty Photographs)
“I went away with the under-17s for his or her Asian Cup 12 months in the past, and you may see he was a little bit bit immature there and wasn’t as disciplined as he ought to have been,” Arnold mentioned of the 18-year-old.
“However he has not been late to at least one assembly (throughout the Socceroos camp). He’s carried out all the pieces we’ve requested. He’s had an important camp. Now he goes to Bayern and clearly now it’s as much as him.
“I had an excellent sit down chat with him the opposite day about going to Bayern and what it means. It’s not like since you’ve gone to Bayern, it’s all carried out. That is the beginning. It’s all about arduous work and keenness and drive.
“He’s an thrilling expertise, however there’s an extended technique to go.”
© AAP
