AFC Asian Cup 2023: Australia’s expectations are higher since World Cup, coach Graham Arnold says
- Socceroos will return to Qatar hoping to win the continental title, having reached the last 16 in the 2022 World Cup also staged there
- ‘What I think the World Cup did for the players was give them the belief that they belong at that level,’ Arnold says
Australia coach Graham Arnold hopes to harness the confidence boost his side received from their successful showing at last year’s World Cup when the Socceroos launch their bid to reclaim the Asian Cup title in Qatar in January.
Arnold steered his team to the last 16 when the World Cup was hosted by the Qataris and he is now aiming to lift the continental crown nine years after Australia’s only previous success, which came under former boss Ange Postecoglou.
The Gulf state has been a happy hunting ground for the 59-year-old former striker, and Arnold is bullish about his team’s prospects after they were drawn on Thursday to face Syria, Uzbekistan and India in the championship’s opening phase.
“When you’re in the last 24 at these competitions every group’s got its hurdles,” said Arnold, who received a four-year contract extension after his team’s World Cup exploits. “But I’m very happy with the draw.
“Uzbekistan and Syria, we’ve played them before. We know what they’re about and they’ve got a good fighting game and we’ve got to be ready for that.
“Playing India’s something new. We have to go in with the right mindset and get the job done.”