Olyroos coach Graham Arnold targets statement South Korea win
Victory against South Korea on Thursday would ensure the Olyroos place at the Tokyo Olympics – but for coach Graham Arnold this game means even more than that.
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The Olyroos are one win away from this year’s Tokyo Olympics but a win against South Korea in the semi-finals of the Asian Football Confederation Under-23 Championship would be momentous not just for Australia, but for Graham Arnold.
The Olyroos boss has never beaten South Korea as head coach of any national team. His U23s have drawn twice while with the national team has drawn and lost in their last two meetings.
Victory over one of Australia’s toughest regional rivals would be sweet for the experienced coach.
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“The resources they have in South Korea and the money they pour into development (sets them apart),” said Arnold ahead of the semi-final early on Thursday.
“A lot of their players have played with the senior national team and a lot of them are playing in the K-League. But once we get on the pitch we’ll be ready.”
“A lot of our boys have played against South Korean teams in Asian Champions League, we drew 2-2 (in qualifying) and (when we) played in Malaysia it was 1-1, we know what they are about.
“It’s all about us and preparing ourselves right and making sure we get the right players on the field. I expect a great performance.”
Australia squeezed past Syria in Monday’s quarter-final 1-0 thanks to an extra-time goal from Al-Hassan Toure to put the Olyroos’ into their first semi-final in the tournament’s history.
South Korea edged past Jordan with a 95th minute winner and have won all their matches so far in this tournament. They have dominated shots and possession in almost all of their games, meaning Australia will likely look to sting the Koreans on the counter-attack.
The Olyroos must beat South Korea, or win the third place playoff match in order to secure qualification to the Tokyo Olympics.
Arnold isn’t resting on his laurels despite having two cracks at the whip to qualify.
“We’ve achieved nothing yet,” Arnold said. “We’ve ticked two boxes but there’s four to be ticked. The first was to top the group, second to get to the quarter-finals, third is to win the semi-final.”
The Olyroos will do battle with South Korea early Thursday (12.15am AEDT) in Rangsit, Thailand.
Originally published as Olyroos coach Graham Arnold targets statement South Korea win