World Cup 2022: Graham Arnold hails Golden Generation 2.0 as Socceroos advance

Move over Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and co — Graham Arnold believes Australian fans have a new group of stars to be proud of after their remarkable 1-0 win over Denmark.

AL WAKRAH, QATAR - NOVEMBER 30: Jackson Irvine and Milos Degenek of Australia celebrate their 1-0 victory in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Australia and Denmark at Al Janoub Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Move over Golden Generation, and make way for the Platinum Generation – the unlikely group of Socceroos determined to bury a legend and create Australian football history.

The shadow cast by Australia’s famed 2006 Golden Generation squad is one which has eclipsed the efforts of every team that has come since, but on Saturday Graham Arnold’s unfancied squad can go one better when they face Argentina in the Round of 16 for an unprecedented quarter-final berth.

In what shapes as the Socceroos’ biggest match since 2006, when Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and their star-studded team went down to eventual champions Italy, Australia will take on an Argentinian team spearheaded by the legendary Lionel Messi.

And while his current squad may not have the household names – yet – Arnold believes Australian fans have a new group of stars to be proud of after their remarkable 1-0 win over the Danes sealed second spot in Group D, level on six points with winners France.

Graham Arnold celebrates after Australia’s 1-0 victory over Denmark at Al Janoub Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

Mathew Leckie’s 60th minute winner, following a winding run and crisp finish past the arms of Kasper Schmeichel, sparked joyous celebrations inside Al-Janoub Arena and even wilder scenes back home in Australia, where Melbourne’s Federation Square turned into a heaving mosh-pit of fans.

Australia could yet outdo the feats of the 2006 crew, with a quarter-final berth on offer, but Arnold pointed to the fact that his team – the first to secure two wins at a World Cup – deserved fresh plaudits.

“I’m just so proud and happy, it’s what World Cups are for,” Arnold said post-match.

“I truly believe that the Socceroos are the team that unites the nation. you don’t see when the cricket World Cup’s on, the final, Federation Square like it is, pubs like they are, if it’s rugby union, rugby league or anything, but the world cup of football unites the nation, and I’m just so proud we’ve been able to put smiles on people’s faces.

“It’s the first time ever an Australian team won two games at a world cup, in a row. Maybe we’re talking about a new golden generation?

“Because I’ve been listening and hearing about that golden generation of 2006, they got four points, and now we’ve got six, so maybe we’re talking about a new generation.

“I’m just so pleased with the players’ work ethic, the commitment, the fight they had and the way they played.

Aaron Mooy celebrates Australia’s win over Denmark. Picture: AFP

“Denmark are a very good team, they’re top 10 in the world for a reason, they’ve got high quality players who play in top leagues around the world.

“Defensively I thought we were outstanding tonight.”

Striker Jamie Maclaren said while his team had been written off but were ready to write their own place in history.

“No one gave us a sniff but here we are going into the Round of 16,” Maclaren said.

“I’ve got a huge respect for the Golden Generation – they deserved all the praise and I’ll be the first to back them and say they were great. But we need a name.

“We’re just honest Aussies … because at the end of the day we believe.”

From the outset, Denmark threw the kitchen sink at Australia. They knew that only a victory would be enough to keep their tournament alive, and attacked accordingly.

Australia weathered the early storm – with captain Mat Ryan called on to make a number of sharp saves in the early stages – before taking control of the match midway through the first half.

Riley McGree and Harry Souttar celebrate Australia’s win over Denmark. Picture: Getty Images

“I felt that you could see a little bit of fatigue for the first 15 minutes, and then the boys got going, and by the end, we ran over the top of them, I felt,” Arnold added.

It was another imperious defensive effort, led by centre-backs Harry Souttar and Kye Rowles, on which the foundation of the victory was built.

After some early chances, where the Danes slipped passes in behind Australia’s back four, Arnold’s men adjusted and worked harder to shut down Danish maestro Christian Eriksen – before repelling wave after wave of desperate attack.

“If you don’t have the commitment, the fight and the effort …. You’ve got quality players, and they can be quality players but you need the right mentality,” Arnold said.

“People were probably surprised at some of my selections at the start of this World Cup, but it’s just that I know the players so well.

“I know the mentally strong ones. The ones who will die for the team and die for each other and work for reach other.

“They’re the ones I back and they’re the ones I know that can get the job done.”