The Asian Game’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is proudly sponsored by SMC.
It feels like deja vu all over again as Australia prepare to face France in their opening game of the FIFA World Cup.
Of course this was the scenario four years ago in Russia when France escaped with a narrow 1-0 win over a plucky Australian outfit coached by Dutchman Bert van Marwijk.
Four-and-a-bit years on from that day in Kazan and the French once again await Australia and they do so as the defending champions; albeit a wounded one.
In the lead up to the World Cup it seemed like not a day went by with a French player withdrawing with injury, with the likes of Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema all withdrawing since Didier Deschamps named his initial 26-man squad.
Australia haven’t been immune to the curse of the pre-tournament injury, with Scottish-based winger Martin Boyle succumbing to a knee injury he sustained recently with Hibernian.
Ajdin Hrustic is another who had been under a fitness cloud coming in, and while he is fit to take his place in the team, Arnold confirmed on Monday at his pre-match press conference that the Italian-based midfielder will start from the bench, which opens up a few different options for Arnold.
He gave nothing away pre-game, but he could choose to keep his central midfield duo of Aaron Mooy and Jackson Irvine, who in effect play as two No.6s at the base of the midfield, and replace Hrustic, in that No.10 role, with Middlebrough’s Riley McGree.
Another is to push Mooy forward into that advanced attacking position, and bring Cameron Devlin in to play in central midfield alongside Irvine. Arnold has spoken at length of his admiration of Devlin and his dogged tenacity in midfield; traits he may prefer as he looks to disrupt and frustrate the star-studded French midfield.
The other major selection dilemma for Arnold comes in the centre of defence, with preferred duo Kye Rowles and Harry Souttar both returning from injury and short of a gallop. To play both would be a risk, especially Souttar who is returning from a 12-month layoff after an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
That brings Sunderland’s Bailey Wright and Thomas Deng, who plays for J2 champions Albirex Niigata, into contention, while there have even been whispers of Arnold changing to a back three, which would be a significant change in tact from a coach who has stuck fat to his system for better or worse over the last few years.
It goes without saying that Australia go into the game as rank underdogs against the defending champions, but the Boyle injury aside Australia’s preparations in Doha have been faultless and if there is one thing you can be assured of with an Australia side it’s that they will be prepared perfectly for the occasion.
The Socceroos base camp at the Aspire Academy has every possible convenience the players could hope for, and Football Australia has left no stone unturned in making sure the players are comfortable and prepared; even going so far as flying in their own barista to ensure the players are catered for when it comes to their caffeinated drink of choice.
Whether any of that has an impact on-field is questionable, but Australia are hoping it’s those little one-percenters that will give them an edge against a team that, on paper, would be expecting a comfortable win to kickstart their title defence.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
AARON MOOY – Now a veteran of the national team, Mooy is enjoying a rejuvenated club career at Celtic under former Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou after battling COVID lockdowns in China over the past few years. His performances in midfield in Australia’s playoff wins against the UAE and Peru underlined his importance to this team, and his creativity, and eye for a pass, will be crucial for Australia who will no doubt be limited with their opportunities.
GARANG KUOL – We don’t even know if we will see Garang Kuol make his World Cup debut, but the 18-year-old will generate plenty of excitement if he does. Still yet to start a game for his club side, Central Coast Mariners, the winger made himself an irresistible choice for Graham Arnold with his form in the early rounds of the A-League Men season. We know he won’t start, but he presents a tantalising option off the bench for Arnold if the game is still there for the taking in the second half.
WHAT THEY SAID
Graham Arnold – Australia coach
“If we focus too much on the opposition it’ll just put it in the brains of the players of how good the opposition is.
“We know their strengths, the players know their strengths. It’s about those ten blue shirts against ten yellow.
“We’ve got the Aussie DNA, go out and kick and scratch and do whatever is required to do that. One of their strengths is technical so we’ve got to be in their faces.
“I believe in [team unity]. You can say our players aren’t playing in the top leagues in the world, and all their players are. But it’s a team sport.
“What I’m looking at is [reaching] the last 16. We’ve got to give them a goal and expect to achieve that goal with performances that make the nation proud, and their families proud.
“I want to go all the way. But success to start with is the last 16.”
PREDICTIONS
Scott McIntyre
France 4-0 Australia
Michael Church
France 3-0 Australia
Paul Williams
France 4-0 Australia
Martin Lowe
France 3-1 Australia
Photo: Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
