[ad_1]
The Socceroos will welcome excessive expectations and acquainted environment in Qatar once they kick off their bid for Asian Cup glory in a tough group stage.
In a testing path to the knockouts, Graham Arnold’s prices have been on Thursday night time drawn to face two acquainted foes in world No.74 Uzbekistan and No.90 Syria, with A hundred and first-ranked India the clear minnows of group B.
Expectations are understandably excessive after Australia’s magnificent run ultimately 12 months’s World Cup and Arnold was eager to ship a second title.
‘Trying additional down the observe, the World Cup qualifiers and qualifying for a World Cup is necessary however that is simply as necessary to me and for the nation,’ he stated from the attract Qatar.
‘You all the time have to enter these tournaments with the expectations to win it and we’ll give it an awesome shot.’
Socceroos boss Graham Arnold was ‘very glad’ after his staff drew Uzbekistan, Syria and India in Group B forward of the Asian Cup
Australia can be one of many match favourites in Qatar alongside the likes of Japan and Saudi Arabia (pictured, goalkeeper Mat Ryan)
The match can be held from January 12 till February 10 subsequent 12 months after it was moved from China to Qatar, a cheerful searching floor for Australia lately, as a result of former’s Covid-19 restrictions.
‘It has been a house away from dwelling for the Socceroos during the last couple of years on account of Covid but in addition with the World Cup qualifiers and likewise the World Cup,’ Arnold stated.
‘We’re very comfy right here, we’re aware of the stadiums, the environment and we’re wanting ahead to getting this Asian Cup underway.’
The highest two groups in every of the six teams progress to the spherical of 16, together with the 4 best-ranked third-placed finishers.
World No.29 Australia final performed Uzbekistan within the spherical of 16 in 2019, once they drew 0-0 however in the end progressed through a penalty shootout.
Australia beat Syria 3-2 within the group stage of the 2019 Asian Cup however famously prevailed in a dramatic play-off for the 2018 World Cup.
‘We have performed Syria in World Cup qualifiers, we have performed Uzbekistan earlier than,’ Arnold stated.
‘We’re aware of the best way that they wish to play and we’re wanting ahead to it.’
Mat Leckie was a World Cup hero in Qatar after his objective fired Australia into the spherical of 16 – he’s additionally anticipated to be in Graham Arnold’s remaining Asian Cup squad
The Socceroos, albeit with a considerably completely different squad, are additionally eyeing redemption for his or her nightmare 2019 match as defending champions, once they exited within the quarter-finals.
‘Final time it was with an older group of gamers, we needed to discover some kids,’ Arnold stated.
‘However this time we’re extra settled as a bunch and I have been within the job for almost 5 years so I am very aware of all of the gamers and what they anticipate from us and my expectations from them.
‘We’re going into this match with an awesome mindset and searching ahead to doing nicely.’
‘Each draw is hard however very pleased with that draw,’ Arnold stated.
‘Clearly having the familiarity of enjoying right here in Qatar will assist us as nicely.
‘We now have performed Syria in World Cup qualifiers, we have performed Uzbekistan earlier than – we’re aware of the best way that they wish to play and we’re wanting ahead to it.’
Aaron Mooy (pictured left) has loved a powerful season at Celtic in Scotland, and if match, is definite to function within the Asian Cup subsequent January
The highest two groups in every of the six teams progress to the spherical of 16, together with the 4 best-ranked third-placed finishers.
Arnold, who was at Thursday’s attract Qatar with Soccer Australia chief government James Johnson, will eye redemption for a nightmare 2019 match, when Australia, the defending champions from 2015, flopped badly.
4 years in the past, Australia barely sealed computerized qualification from their group, scraped by means of the spherical of 16 in opposition to Uzbekistan on penalties and have been knocked out by the United Arab Emirates within the quarter-finals.
World No.29 Australia final performed Uzbekistan within the spherical of 16 in 2019, once they drew 0-0 however in the end progressed through a penalty shootout.
Australia beat Syria 3-2 within the group stage of the 2019 Asian Cup however famously prevailed in a dramatic play-off for the 2018 World Cup.
The Socceroos drew 1-1 away earlier than Tim Cahill’s heroic brace sealed development through a dramatic 2-1 win at dwelling.
Australia beat India 4-0 at their most up-to-date assembly, within the 2011 Asian Cup.
The Asian Cup was initially on account of be held in China this 12 months however was moved amid the nation’s tight Covid-19 insurance policies.
Qatar received internet hosting rights for the rescheduled Cup and the match will as a substitute be held from January 12 till February 10 subsequent 12 months.
[ad_2]
Source link
