‘Couldn’t have had a better game to play’: Arnold praises Socceroos’ resilience after Jordan fightback
Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold praised his side's resilience after fighting back from a goal down to secure victory over Jordan, but he reiterated there is still work to do.
Australia came from behind in Doha to beat Jordan 2-1 as preparation continues for their do-or-die clash against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday morning (AEST).
Bailey Wright and Awer Mabil found the back of the net for Australia after a thunderbolt by Mousa Al-Tamari had put Jordan into an early lead.
Arnold's team featured several players who needed match minutes ahead of the crucial play-off match against the UAE.
Aaron Mooy was given his first competitive action since a 2-2 draw with Oman in February, Central Coast Mariners defender Kye Rowles made his senior debut and Jason Davidson earned his first international appearance since 2015.
While Arnold was pleased that his side fought back from a goal down, he insisted that there is still a lot of work to do.
“What we've been driving since we got into camp is about the reaction when you lose a ball,” Arnold told Network Ten post-match.
“I've been disappointed over the campaign about the mentality of that but we’ve been working on it and I was happy tonight with the work rate, the chasing back and the fighting for second balls.
We probably couldn't have had a better game to play. Jordan are a good side who have changed enormously since the new coach.
“They put us under pressure and it's the perfect game that you want, responding from that pressure at the start when we went a goal down.
“It was really interesting and good to see the reaction when we went down 1-0 because in the past, we've fallen apart, and tonight that wasn't the case.”
Arnold now turns his attention to the clash with UAE, knowing a victory in that game will up another play-off against Peru the following week for a spot in the World Cup.
The side has six days to prepare for the do-or-die clash and plenty to work to be put in on the training pitch.
Despite the likes of Martin Boyle, Mitch Duke, Joel King, Mathew Leckie and Adam Taggart all being rested for the Jordan friendly, Arnold said he still contemplating his starting XI for the UAE match.
“We'll go back, review the game and obviously, there's a lot to work on still,” Arnold said.
The good thing is, this will be the longest that I've ever been able to coach them for.
“Now with six days now before the UAE game, there are no days off, it's all work and we'll get things right.”
The Socceroos FIFA World-Cup Play-off match will be broadcast live and free on Australia's 'Home of Football,' Network Ten.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar (Play-Off)
Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2022
Venue: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Doha, Qatar
Kick-off: 4:00AM AEST
Broadcast: Live and free in Australia on Network 10 and simulcast on Paramount+ and 10 Play