Match Preview: Argentina vs Australia

The Asian Game’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is proudly sponsored by SMC.

Australia are playing Argentina in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup.

Australia. Argentina. You have to repeat it to yourself over and over to make it sink in. It doesn’t seem real. This was an Australian side that very nearly didn’t make it to Qatar, needing some Andrew Redmayne heroics to get past Peru in a penalty shootout to even qualify for the World Cup.

A side that was also drawn against defending champions France and a highly fancied Danish side containing returning star Christian Eriksen.

This is not how the script was meant to go. Many expected Australia, who hadn’t won a World Cup game since 2010, would struggle to get a point let alone make it out of the group.

And yet, with back-to-back wins over Tunisia and Denmark, that is exactly what happened.

So now, a date with Argentina and Lionel Messi awaits as Australians dare to dream.

On paper, it shouldn’t be a contest, but it’s precisely these moments that this crop of Socceroos players thrive on. The players are at pains to point out that they take motivation from the fact everyone writes them off. It fuels them.

They’ll need every bit of the fuel if they are to stand a chance against a side many tip to win the tournament, especially coming just three days after their win over Denmark.

Whether the short turnaround necessitates a change in personnel remains to be seen, but Arnold did say he wouldn’t name his XI the night prior as is his normal routine, saying he needed the extra time to see how the players pulled up after the Denmark win.

Embed from Getty Images

Keanu Baccus is one that would be in line for a start given his impressive cameo off the bench against Denmark, while Ajdin Hrustic is surely edging closer to a start now that his injury woes seem to be behind him.

Despite the obvious disparity in quality between the two sides, Argentina have been at pains to point out they are not taking them lightly. Their loss to Saudi Arabia in the opening game is still fresh in mind, so they know they cannot take Australia lightly.

Lionel Scaloni trying to claim they are underdogs was an admirable attempt to change the narrative, but I’m not sure anyone believes that for a second. They are overwhelming favourites, and whether that adds a burden remains to be seen.

While Saudi Arabia came from behind to beat Argentina, they still did live dangerously with a number of goals ruled out for offside in the opening half that could’ve seen the game done and dusted before half time. The key for Australia is to avoid conceding early and having to chase the game. The longer Australia can hold out, the better their chances of an upset.

But whatever the result for Australia, just being here on this stage is already an incredible result. Anything else is a bonus.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

HARRY SOUTTAR – The Scottish-born defender has been a standout for Australia in their two wins over Tunisia and Denmark, but the challenge posed against Argentina is significantly different. While his height and aerial prowess is his greatest benefit, the challenge of defending against Lionel Messi is something altogether different.

Embed from Getty Images

MATHEW LECKIE – The goalscoring hero against Denmark has been lively throughout the tournament, and with it likely that Australia will be limited to chances on the counterattack, players like Leckie and Craig Goodwin (assuming both start again) become increasingly important to capitalise on the limited opportunities that will come their way.

MAT RYAN – While the Danes didn’t test Ryan all that much, that is likely to be a different story tonight. Ryan has saved Australia numerous times over the years throughout qualifying and at tournaments, and he will need to be at the top of his game again tonight.

WHAT THEY SAID

Graham Arnold – Australia coach

“This is a dream come true, playing against Lionel Messi in a World Cup.

“I don’t think anyone expected us to even win a game and then to win two in one World Cup, it’s amazing.

“You don’t get these opportunities often in life, so what are you going to do about it? Are you just going to let it ride or are you going to do something more and special?

“This is when you go home, you have got time to think about things and remember those things but now, this is real. And let’s give it our best shot.”

DOHA, QATAR – DECEMBER 02: Australia head coach Graham Arnold during the Australia Press Conference at the Main Media Centre on December 2, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Brendan Moran – FIFA)

Harry Souttar – Australian defender

“We’ve already surprised a few people with our results and we want to surprise a few more.

“We know it’s going to be a difficult task. I don’t think it’s just an individual thing, it’s a collective. It can’t come down to just one individual trying to stop [Messi]. He’s just going to have to be just another player I’m up against.”