Australia coach Graham Arnold said his team’s exploits at the Qatar World Cup can “put football on the map” at home and unite the nation.
The Socceroos are on the cusp of reaching the last 16 for only the second time in their history, matching the achievement of a “golden generation” who made the same stage in 2006.
Victory over Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark on Thursday morning (2am AEDT) will guarantee a spot in the knockout rounds while a draw could also be enough. Follow in our live blog below!
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Arnold declared that in a sports-mad country where football traditionally comes behind cricket, both rugby codes and Australian rules, the Socceroos “unite the nation” like no other national team.
Arnold said that the 1-0 win over Tunisia which put Australia in pole position to join holders France from Group D in the knockout rounds had put smiles on faces.
But speaking on the eve of the Denmark showdown, Arnold cautioned: “Putting smiles on Australian faces once is not enough, let’s do it some more times.”
Arnold, 59, was assistant coach to Guus Hiddink at the 2006 World Cup, where Australia boasted the likes of Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Tim Cahill.
Arnold said the current Socceroos squad – which have plenty of heart but no world stars – had been inspired by the 2006 run.
“This generation, they were 10 years of age watching these guys,” Arnold said. “When you sit down even now in the lunch room this generation is talking about emulating the 2006 squad and achieving the same goals they saw when they were 10 years old.
“So it’s about putting the game on the map a bit more in Australia. “But again, there’s so much more work to do… it’s crazy.”
Socceroos squad fit for Denmark clash | 01:47
The scenario for Australia heading into the last group game this year is identical to the 2006 scenario.
In that year, Brazil led the group on 6 points, with Australia second on 3, then Croatia (their final opponent) and Japan on 1. A draw with Croatia proved enough to advance.
This time France leads the group on 6 points, with Australia second on 3, then Denmark (their final opponent) and Tunisia on 1. A draw with Denmark would likely be enough to advance.
Selection will be critical with Socceroos great Robbie Slater unsure how many changes would be made to the side that held off Tunisia 1-0.
“Geez, it’s a big call to leave someone out after a game like that, where everything was near-perfect,” Slater told the Fox Football Podcast.
“You’d feel a bit sour if you were getting left out like this.
“I think Arnie believes in practically his first eleven … You’ve gotta play your best eleven, and for me, the best eleven is the one just played.”
However, if there was to be one change in Arnold’s line-up, Slater believes it would be in the midfield.
“Is (Ajdin) Hrustic ready to start,” Slater said.
“I’ve got a feeling he might start … I would start him.
“I think Riley (McGree) is great, but I think Hrustic is just a level up at the moment — where he plays, he’s played in big games, he played in and won the Europa League final and took a penalty.
“He knows this is big time, this is our biggest match since – Italy was probably a bigger match, but in respect to making it, it’s Croatia (2006) again.”
Follow Australia v Denmark in our live blog below!