Graham Arnold era off to winning start as Socceroos down Kuwait 4-0
IN his first match as full-time Socceroos coach, Graham Arnold got the statement win he wanted as Australia beat Kuwait 4-0.
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AS a first day in the job, it was a very gentle introduction — and most importantly, Graham Arnold started with a win.
The Socceroos strolled to a 4-0 win over Kuwait early this morning, a Kuwaiti own goal and Apou Giannou’s first international goal in the first half sealed by Tom Rogic’s strike late on and Awer Mabil scoring on his debut.
If the opposition were as ragged as might be expected of a team just months back from a three-year international suspension, the victory in Arnold’s first game in charge was still as comfortable as the scoreline suggests.
If anything Australia could have scored more, sometimes overcomplicating the route to goal, but the intention to attack was there from the off.
Arnold had promised goals, and Kuwait proved such hospitable hosts that they ensured he had a couple within 21 minutes of his on-field tenure.
The first was actually a lethal finish of a diving header, sadly for Kuwaiti defender Khalid Mohamed Ibrahim into the wrong goal as he diverted Robbie Kruse’s cross to give Australia the lead.
On a woefully substandard pitch, mottled like an old carpet, Australia pressed forward without quite hitting top gear.
The ball moved confidently but players looked as if they were second guessing the roll of the ball.
Still the chances came: Aziz Behich airkicked a shot from a corner, gathered the loose ball and dribbled mazily, only to be denied by goalkeeper Hamid Al-Gallaf.
On 21 minutes though the goalkeeper was left stranded by his own teammate. Josh Risdon, in the corner on the right, rolled the ball back for Jackson Irvine to cross. Dhari Sa’ed tried nonchantly to chest the ball back to Al-Gallaf from a couple of metres out and fell over in the process — an incredulous Giannou simply couldn’t miss.
The tap-in gave the striker a goal at last in his eighth game, but his lack of self-belief at international level still seemed to weigh heavy.
Giannou did manage one fine cross which Kruse headed over; seconds later the winger turned provider with his own cross that Mat Leckie scuffed at the far post, as Australia finished the first half pressing for a third.
Frustratingly, though, Arnold’s side laboured to press home their advantage; Josh Risdon forced a smart save from Al-Gallaf, but chances were few enough for Arnold to bring on Tomi Juric and Daniel Arzani for Giannou and Kruse with 63 minutes gone.
Australia’s was the goal threatened next, though, Faisal Zaied’s deep cross headed wastefully wide by Fahad Saleh Al-Enizi.
Arzani predictably upped the tempo, dribbling through the defence and round the keeper but forced wide, then shooting just over from distance.
More subs followed: Mustafa Armini for Irvine, and Awer Mabil for Leckie, then Thomas Deng replaced the struggling Risdon.
Finally the third goal came, created by Mass Luongo’s tackle and astute pass and converted with a sidefoot from 20m by Rogic.
Fahad Al-Ansari’s free kick that hit the post was Kuwait’s only threatening note all night, but Australia responded with their best goal of the night, with three minutes left.
Deng won the ball out wide and fed Juric, who turned his man beautifully, advanced forward and slipped in Mabil for a caressed finish from 12m out.
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Originally published as Graham Arnold era off to winning start as Socceroos down Kuwait 4-0