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Graham Arnold Speaks Out On Australia's Failed Asia Cup Campaign
"We didn't know what we were going into" - Arnold
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Feb 21, 2009 3:02:49 AM
Former Australian national team manager Graham Arnold has spoken out on his country’s failed 2007 Asia Cup campaign.
Speaking at Football Federation Australia’s (FFA) National Coaching Conference, the current assistant coach of the Socceroos spoke publicly about his failed tenure as manager.
Appointed as the successor to former Australia manager Guus Hiddink, Arnold guided the team through the qualifying stages but saw them suffer a disappointing Quarter Final exit to Japan on penalties.
It was a campaign characterized by poor performances by some of the country’s more reputable European stars, with Arnold famously claiming that some players didn’t want to be at the tournament in the aftermath of a 3-1 group stage loss to eventual champions Iraq.
Addressing the FFA’s Coaching Conference, he spoke about the difficulties encountered two years ago.
“We didn’t know what we were going into,” Arnold said. “Now we do sweat testing but Vince Grella was [then] losing 5 kilos a game and we realised we needed to pick the best players to handle the conditions, not just the best players.
“It’s not an excuse, it’s reality; preparation is key to success and if you don’t have time to prepare for these situations, it’s difficult.”
He added: “It’s always difficult [going into Asia], they play a totally different style of football, whether it’s east Asia or the Middle East.
“In East Asia, Indonesia, Thailand, they are small in stature but so quick and nimble of feet – they give us another problem.”
Stagnation
Arnold also pinpointed player development as an area in which Australia has fallen behind its Asian neighbours.
He continued, “Technically we’re a long way off and have a lot of work to do.
“We’ve stagnated in terms of producing European players – the Asians are coming along in leaps and bounds.
“The Asian nations are flying past us.”
The former J-League players suggested that the differences in the level of facilities was one of the main reason for the sudden “stagnation” in Australia, particularly in comparison to nations such as Japan.
He continued, “Their systems, their facilities – particularly those of the Japanese – are second to none.
“The Japanese are up there with the English Premier League.
“The facilities in Asia make us jealous – a lot of the A-League stadiums are shared and this needs to be worked on.”
Bullies
Whilst the changing landscape of Asian football was a point emphasised by the former international, he also insisted that Australia retains its own advantages within the continent.
“You need to match them [Asian teams] with speed and mobility, you can’t go over the top anymore – just look at Japan’s stoppers,” Arnold said.
“But they don’t want to see Kewell, Viduka and Cahill; their presence, because they are in the English Premier League, gives us a slight mental advantage.
“The Japanese and Koreans are not too confidence in themselves either so if you bully them, you can also get the edge.”
Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com
Speaking at Football Federation Australia’s (FFA) National Coaching Conference, the current assistant coach of the Socceroos spoke publicly about his failed tenure as manager.
Appointed as the successor to former Australia manager Guus Hiddink, Arnold guided the team through the qualifying stages but saw them suffer a disappointing Quarter Final exit to Japan on penalties.
It was a campaign characterized by poor performances by some of the country’s more reputable European stars, with Arnold famously claiming that some players didn’t want to be at the tournament in the aftermath of a 3-1 group stage loss to eventual champions Iraq.
Addressing the FFA’s Coaching Conference, he spoke about the difficulties encountered two years ago.
“We didn’t know what we were going into,” Arnold said. “Now we do sweat testing but Vince Grella was [then] losing 5 kilos a game and we realised we needed to pick the best players to handle the conditions, not just the best players.
“It’s not an excuse, it’s reality; preparation is key to success and if you don’t have time to prepare for these situations, it’s difficult.”
He added: “It’s always difficult [going into Asia], they play a totally different style of football, whether it’s east Asia or the Middle East.
“In East Asia, Indonesia, Thailand, they are small in stature but so quick and nimble of feet – they give us another problem.”
Stagnation
Arnold also pinpointed player development as an area in which Australia has fallen behind its Asian neighbours.
He continued, “Technically we’re a long way off and have a lot of work to do.
“We’ve stagnated in terms of producing European players – the Asians are coming along in leaps and bounds.
“The Asian nations are flying past us.”
The former J-League players suggested that the differences in the level of facilities was one of the main reason for the sudden “stagnation” in Australia, particularly in comparison to nations such as Japan.
He continued, “Their systems, their facilities – particularly those of the Japanese – are second to none.
“The Japanese are up there with the English Premier League.
“The facilities in Asia make us jealous – a lot of the A-League stadiums are shared and this needs to be worked on.”
Bullies
Whilst the changing landscape of Asian football was a point emphasised by the former international, he also insisted that Australia retains its own advantages within the continent.
“You need to match them [Asian teams] with speed and mobility, you can’t go over the top anymore – just look at Japan’s stoppers,” Arnold said.
“But they don’t want to see Kewell, Viduka and Cahill; their presence, because they are in the English Premier League, gives us a slight mental advantage.
“The Japanese and Koreans are not too confidence in themselves either so if you bully them, you can also get the edge.”
Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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