Socceroos desperate to deliver first-class performance against Bangladesh for their record-breaking coach

The Socceroos not only want to beat Bangladesh but win with a stylish performance in honour of coach and milestone man Graham Arnold.

Jackson Irvine is thrilled with the impact Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has had on his career. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

The Socceroos are intent on honouring record-breaking coach Graham Arnold with not only a win over Bangladesh on Thursday night but also a display that’s befitting of the special occasion in Melbourne.

Arnold will set a new record for most “A” internationals as Socceroos coach when he guides the national team for the 59th time in the 2026 World Cup qualifier at AAMI Park.

There is no doubt that the Socceroos will win the match against the Asian football minnows, but they won’t be satisfied unless they secure the victory in style for Arnold.

“It will be a special night for him and hopefully we can reward him with a great performance and a win,” experienced midfielder Jackson Irvine said.

“He’s been a huge factor in the way my career and international career’s developed over the last five years.

“I’ve started just about every game since he became (Socceroos) coach (in 2018).

“He puts such trust in me. We have a really good relationship in terms of the balance we find between what he lets us control as senior players on the field as well as away from the pitch.

“It’s a huge achievement for ‘Arnie’ and I’m delighted for him.”

Jackson Irvine (right) and the Socceroos hope to celebrate Graham Arnold’s record-breaking coaching appearance in style on Thursday night. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Arnold said he would reflect on the record “when the time is right”.

“I’ve always loved being a part of the Socceroos culture and my desire to see Australia fulfil its footballing potential is still driving me to take this group to further success,” Arnold said.

Irvine, who has been capped 58 times, said it was an “exciting time” to be a part of Arnold’s national squad in a year that’s already featured matches against England and world champions Argentina.

“We’re in a really good place,” he said in predicting dominant performances not only on Thursday night but also next Wednesday morning (AEDT) when the Socceroos meet Palestine in neutral Kuwait.

“We’re expected over these next two games and moving forward to be far more dominant with the ball – it poses new challenges for us as a group.

“We’ll have to find new solutions and ways to create chances and score goals but we’ve got such great quality, great individual quality and a great structure as a team that we know we can create chances and score goals.

“We want to give the fans something to get off their seats for and be excited about and provide bits of individual quality combined with the structure and the way we play as a team.”

Australia v Bangladesh

Thursday, 8pm (AEDT)

AAMI Park, Melbourne

TV: Network 10 and Paramount+