Arnold on Uzbekistan: "They're well coached, a hard team to play against"

Lewis Wiseman 1706035232,1706051675

The Subway Socceroos drew 1-1 with Uzbekistan in their final group stage match at the Asian Cup on Tuesday at the Al Janoub Stadium.

WATCH: Subway Socceroos clinch top spot in Group B following Uzbekistan draw

A draw was enough to secure Australia top spot in Group B, however head coach Graham Arnold said after the match, that Uzbekistan proved a difficult challenge.

“Both teams, I think were a bit fatigued at the end and I have the biggest amount of respect for Uzbekistan as a team,” he said.

“I told our players before the game, it's a big step up from the last few games we played to today and they set up well, they're well coached, a hard team to play against.”

Overall, he is pleased with the side topping the group and will now switch focus to the first knockout round.

“I thought the boys did exceptionally well, we came here at the start of the tournament to top the group and we've got the job done,” he said.

“It was the most important thing, and we move forward now one game at a time and see who our next opponent is.”

Tweet: https://twitter.com/Socceroos/status/1749773481695461525

He added that the group is gelling more as the tournament goes on, but that the squad needs time, with a number of inexperienced players who have never played major tournament before this Asian Cup.

“We're getting better as we go and what some people don't understand is, we have four players here that have had Asian Cup experience, and we have in the squad of 26, only 12 players that were here in Qatar, for the World Cup” he said.

“So, I'm blending and gelling a new squad together. It's about us connecting as a group and I couldn't be more proud of their work rate, their effort, of course we can do things better.”

Off the pitch though, Arnold said this group have bought into the plan, the culture and are all great mates.

“The most important thing is when they come into camp that they have the honour and the pride to play for the jersey and to play for the nation,” he said.

“We have a great team culture of mate-ship and when the energy is high and the boys are good mates, then you can overachieve, and that's what we're doing.”

Looking to the Round of 16, the Socceroos are yet to know who they will face, but Arnold said regardless of who it is, they will be prepared.

He said: “We'll wait and see how the other games pan out and then, as I’ve said, one game at a time, we'll get ready for the round of 16.”

Tweet: https://twitter.com/Socceroos/status/1749789662808519104

The game was the third time running in which Australia opened the scoring, this time coming from Martin Boyle’s penalty just before half-time. However, last night's match proved to be the first where a side broke the green and gold wall, with the Aussies unable to nab that winning goal late on.

Arnold said he thinks the side has been strong in the attacking build up but have lacked a clinical edge in front of goal.

“I thought that we played some good combination football, we played some good attacking football, but it's the last pass and it's the last cut back or finish.

“We only had shot on target and at the end of the day, it's what we build on,” he said

“That's also that's down to the individual, the individual has to be able to put the ball in the back of the net. I can't do that.”