2019 Asian Cup: Socceroos can expect hostile reception for opener against Jordan

The 2019 Asian Cup is shaping as a starkly different environment for the Socceroos than 2015, when they fed off home support on their way to triumph, but Graham Arnold insists his team are ready for the challenge.

Graham Arnold insists the Socceroos are ready for anything in their Asian Cup.

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The Socceroos could be in for a hostile reception in Sunday night’s Asian Cup opener against Jordan.

The Asian Football Confederation has been short on details about ticket sales for Australia’s first match at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.

But anecdotal word indicates Jordanians living in the United Arab Emirates are being given free tickets, and that a boisterous opposition crowd will turn out at the 16,000 capacity ground to support ‘The Chivalrous’, coached by Belgian Vital Borkelmans.

Graham Arnold insists the Socceroos are ready for anything in their Asian Cup.

The Socceroos’ third match against Syria at the same venue on January 15 has already been sold out, as supporters throw their weight behind their nation in the hope of an upset they very nearly pulled off in World Cup qualifying.

Syria coach Bernd Stange, of former Perth Glory fame, labelled the fans “the most important weapon of our team”.

It shapes for a starkly different environment than 2015, when the Socceroos fed off home support on their way to triumph.

Not that Graham Arnold was worried - quite the contrary - contending they’ll use antagonism to their advantage.

“The boys all play in big leagues, they play away from home with their clubs in big games,” Arnold said.

“We’ve got this wonderful environment, this wonderful team spirit. You’ve seen it in training.

“You see the camaraderie and the intensity and the energy. When you have that, the boys will fight for each other.”

The last time Australia played Jordan they were coached by Harry Redknapp, one of seven to come and go since exiting in the group stage of the last Asian Cup.

Ange Postecoglou’s side thrashed them 5-1 in that March 2016 World Cup qualifier, payback for a 2-0 away loss the previous October under yet another manager.

Arnold said he hadn’t analysed either match.

Graham Arnolds hopes his side use any fan antagonism to their advantage.

“I had nothing to do with that ... whatever has happened in the past is past, it’s all about now and the future,” Arnold said.

“I had a good look at Jordan and these boys are ready. I’m expecting a great performance and a great scoreline.”

Jordan were ranked 82nd in the world then but have since slid to 109, perhaps a symptom of the lack of stability.

Borkelmans, a former defender who was in Belgium’s squad for the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, only took over in September and has had little time to implement his style.

The 55-year-old made the bold decision to drop star striker Hamza Al-Dardour, though he’s still not short of attacking weapons ready for deployment against the trophy-holders.

“You know we are playing a very famous team,” Borkelmans said.

“They are, of course, the champions and have also played the World Cup many times. To start against them is actually a good thing for us.

“As far as I am concerned, the first, second and third games are all the same.”