Daniel Arzani expected to respond in style to criticism from Socceroos coach Tony Popovic

Performances at Socceroos training this week suggest that Daniel Arzani has responded to the scathing criticism he received from national coach Tony Popovic.

Socceroos defender Jason Geria has backed Daniel Arzani to be a “massive asset” on Australia’s qualifying path to next year’s FIFA World Cup, and is confident the enigmatic playmaker will respond to the criticism he received from national coach Tony Popovic.

Arzani, 26, was somewhat of a shock selection in the Socceroos’ squad for Thursday night’s clash against Indonesia in Sydney and next Tuesday’s battle with China in Hangzhou.

It was only two months ago that Popovic ripped into Arzani in explaining his reasons for leaving the Melbourne Victory star out of the Socceroos’ squad for November’s matches against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

“His level was really poor in training,” Popovic said in January.

“I know Daniel well, he’s got potential. We’ve been talking about that since he was 18. He’s now 26 – he needs to raise his level.

“Doing one good dribble or trick or setting up one goal shouldn’t be enough to play for the Socceroos, it needs to be more.”

Daniel Arzani has impressed at Socceroos training sessions this week. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

However, Popovic has given Arzani another chance, and according to Geria, the former prodigy has already responded on the training paddock this week.

“Danny’s a lot wiser than some assume, and he took those comments (from Popovic) on board,” said Japan-based Geria, a former Victory teammate of Arzani.

“He’s looked good in training these last couple of days, so I’m sure if Danny plays, he’ll be able to make a good contribution,”

“Daniel, in his prime, he’s one of the players with the most technical ability that this country has.

“It hasn’t been consistent enough, (and) we haven’t seen it over a large stretch, (but) Daniel, when he’s flying, he’s almost unstoppable, he’s almost unplayable, so if we can get that in these next two games, it’s going to be a massive asset for us.”

The Socceroos can take a significant step towards qualifying for next year’s World Cup with wins over Indonesia and China.

“Six points (is the target from these two games) and that’s clear for everyone. We’re not shying away from that but the process is what gets us there,” Geria said.

“The coaching staff has made an emphasis on that being the main thing, and we know that as players as well. We have to play our game, and we have more than enough quality for that to be enough to get us over the line.”

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The Indonesia team that the Socceroos will face on Thursday night at Allianz Stadium is coached by Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert.

When the teams met in September in Jakarta, the game finished in a 0-0 draw, and both outfits had different coaches. Indonesia was guided by Shin Tae-yong, while it was Graham Arnold’s final game in charge of the Socceroos.

“They have a new coach and have brought in a lot of new players ... but it’s about making sure we play how we want to play, and that nullifies anything that they’re trying to do,” Geria said.

FIFA World Cup qualifier

Australia v Indonesia

Thursday, 8pm (AEDT)

Allianz Stadium

TV: Network 10

Originally published as Daniel Arzani expected to respond in style to criticism from Socceroos coach Tony Popovic