Sydney FC coach Steve Corica feels criticism of Socceroos boss Graham Arnold is unwarranted

Embattled Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has received some timely support from Sydney FC mentor Steve Corica.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold is under pressure to keep his job. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Sydney FC coach Steve Corica says calls for the sacking of Socceroos boss Graham Arnold are “harsh”.

Regardless of Wednesday morning’s result against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, the Socceroos will in June have to prevail in two sudden-death playoffs – the first against a fellow Asian nation and the second against a South American country – to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

The Socceroos’ 2-0 home loss to Japan last Thursday night, which ended Australia’s chances of direct qualification, has further fuelled speculation Arnold will be sacked before the playoffs.

That’s despite the Socceroos also needing playoffs in 2017 when Ange Postecoglou was coach to qualify for the following year’s World Cup.

"They were in the same position a few years ago under Ange, and look what Ange has done since moving on,” said Corica, who was an assistant coach at Sydney when Arnold was in charge of the Sky Blues.

“I think it’s harsh, some of the treatment that he (Arnold) is getting.

“It’s quite easy to blame the coach. I don’t think they played badly against Japan the other night. They’re a good footballing team, Japan.

“Obviously we want to make the World Cup. There’s still opportunity to do that.”

Corica sympathised with Arnold, who on Monday night revealed his wife’s pain from the criticism directed at him and push to have him sacked.

Sydney coach Steve Corica has thrown his support behind embattled Socceroos boss Graham Arnold. Picture: Mohamed Farag/Getty Images

“I know ‘Arnie’ doesn’t read a lot of social media and stuff, but the families definitely do, and it does take its toll on the families,” Corica said.

“It’s difficult, but that’s part of the job. That’s what we sign up for.”

Sydney’s season has also been “difficult” due mainly to Covid-19, which has led the Sky Blues – who host Macarthur FC on Wednesday night at Jubilee Stadium – to having a backlog of matches before heading to Vietnam for two weeks of AFC Champions League duties next month.

“There’s been no other season like this one,” Corica said.

“You’re playing every three or four days and it does take a toll on the players.

“They do say they love playing the game, but it’s tough for them as well.

“There’s not much training in between. It’s about recovering and getting them right for the next game.

“It’s definitely the hardest season by far, probably in the A-League, that I’ve been in for 17 years.”

Sydney’s Socceroos right back, Rhyan Grant, who didn’t travel to Saudi Arabia with the national team to avoid potential suspension for the playoffs via another yellow card, will equal Alex Brosque’s Sky Blues all-time appearance record of 267, should he play on Wednesday night.

“It’s a real tribute to him for being the man he is and playing for so many years,” Corica said of Grant.