Question from Iran journalist that ‘ruined’ Graham Arnold’s day

An Iranian reporter surprised Socceroos coach Graham Arnold at a press conference set up to preview Australia’s clash against Denmark.

Graham Arnold, Head Coach of Australia, speaks during the Australia Press Conference at the main Media Center on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)

“What me, worry?”

If Graham Arnold was nervous before the biggest football game in his coaching career, he sure wasn’t showing it.

The Socceroos boss fronted the media the day before Australia’s game against Denmark in the final group game in Qatar.

For Australia, the equation is fairly simple - win and it’s guaranteed a spot in the final 16 for the first time since 2006.

A draw would also be enough as long as world champions France don’t lose to Tunisia. A loss and the Qatar journey is over.

Not that any of that was worrying Arnold.

He was more concerned about the worst moment in his football career being brought up.

Arnold was asked by an Iranian reporter if a result against Denmark - being played on November 30 - could make up for Australia’s heartbreaking loss to Iran on November 29, 1997.

For those readers lucky enough to not know what happened, the Socceroos led 2-0 at the MCG before two late Iran goals denied Australia a spot in the 1998 World Cup on away goals.

Graham Arnold was in a relaxed mood a day out from the Socceroos’ crucial World Cup game.

It was a moment that led to the late Johnny Warren to have tears in his eyes and struggle to talk on SBS straight after the game.

Arnold - at the tailend of his playing career - was a late substitute in that game.

“Thanks for ruining my day,” Arnold joked.

“That’s probably one of the worst moments in my football life, thank you. (But) we play on the 30th, so the 29th is a training day.”

The Socceroos are hoping to emulate the achievements of the 2006 squad, which made the second round after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Croatia.

Arnold was assistant coach back in 2006 under Dutch mastermind Guus Hiddink.

He was asked what he learnt from Hiddink in his preparations for that Croatia game that he had passed on to the players in the past three days.

“Should I answer that Schwarz?” Arnold joked to 2006 Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer who was at the press conference covering the World Cup for Optus Sports.

“One thing was we went out for a win, and that’s what we’re gonna do,” Arnold said. “I’ve never coached to play for a draw, it’s all about winning.

“When we talk about 06 and now, we want to go for it. In 06 we got one win (against Japan) and one draw (against Croatia) - our ambition is to get two wins and have the most wins at a World Cup.

Graham Arnold wants young players to dream of becoming the next Mitchell Duke.

“It’s about going out and winning the game.”

As for nerves before the Denmark game, Arnold was having none of it.

“Excitement,” he said when asked how he was feeling.

“It’s not often you get to go to a World Cup, I’ve been saying to these boys to enjoy the journey and enjoy the ride.

“I feel really relaxed and ready”

He was even happy to explain what needs to happen for football in Australia to truly grow.

“Socceroos is just the icing on the cake,” Arnold said.

“Whether that icing tastes good or bad, the most important thing is the ingredients. And the ingredients are junior development and junior national teams.

And if that’s not right, the icing will not taste very good.”

Can this team do what Australia did in 2006?

When asked by a British reporter if advancing from the group could mean young Australians wanted to be the next Mitchell Duke or Mathew Leckie rather than Shane Warne or Brad Fittler, he had a simple response.

“That’s the whole purpose,” he said. “My goal is to put a smile on the faces of Australians.

“If you’re not Australian and you don’t know, football in Australia is probably the fourth or fifth main sport.

“After AFL, rugby league, rugby union, cricket - then it’s football, they call it soccer. To leave a legacy is huge.”

Over the 30-minute press conference, Arnold - a long time servant of Australian football - spoke with passion about the sport.

As he said after the Tunisia win, it’s about putting smiles on the faces of Australians - either in Qatar or watching back home.

But he’s not content with doing it just once.