Graham Arnold urges Olyroos to seize Olympic chance

With two wins standing between them and an Olympics berth, Graham Arnold has urged the Olyroos to seize the opportunity of a lifetime

Olyroos coach Graham Arnold was at the helm when Australia last qualified for the Olympics in 2008 Picture: Getty Images

With two wins standing between them and an Olympics berth, Graham Arnold has urged the Olyroos to seize the opportunity of a lifetime at the AFC under-23 championship in Thailand.

Australia progressed into the last eight of the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Bahrain, the point ensuring they topped their group at the continental championship.

They’ll next face either Syria, Saudi Arabia or Qatar in Bangkok on Sunday for a spot in the semi-finals.

With Olympic host nation Japan pre-qualified, Arnold’s team must either reach the final or win the third-place playoff to secure the Olyroos’ first Olympic place since 2008.

“I couldn’t be prouder of their work ethic, their desire,” Arnold said. “They know what’s at stake, they’re not silly.

“We keep on driving the message to them that the opportunity to be at the Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”

Tuesday’s draw with Bahrain ensured Arnold’s team came through their three group matches with a win and two draws.

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Hot and humid conditions and a tight schedule meant Arnold rotated players heavily through all three matches.

A hip flexor injury means Germany-based Joshua Laws’ tournament is already over and he’ll be heading back home on Wednesday evening, while Melbourne City’s Denis Genreau missed the draw with Bahrain after injuring an ankle at training on Monday.

Arnold said it looked likely Genreau would also be unavailable for the remainder of the tournament, leaving Australia two down heading into the knockout stages.

“We’re waiting for Denis Genreau’s MRI today, it’s not looking great,” Arnold said.

“If he can play in the final, he’ll stay, if he can’t play in the final, he’ll be going home as well.”

The Olyroos will have the advantage of a day’s extra rest over their next opponents with Arnold promising he’ll be picking his strongest XI from now on.

“We have to put out and we will be putting out our strongest line-up from now on because it’s knockout,” he said.

“I know that in my brain. I know who that is. We’ll be ready for them in the quarters, whoever it is.”

A neat left-foot finish from Ramy Najjarine after he was played in by a sublime Rene Piscopo through-ball on 34 minutes put the Olyroos ahead on Tuesday night. Bahrain’s Mohamed Marhoon equalised on the stroke of halftime when he fired past Thomas Glover direct from a free kick.

Both teams squandered chances in the second half to win the match with substitute Nicholas D’Agostino – Australia’s two-goal hero in the win over Thailand on Saturday – guilty of a glaring miss in stoppage time when he flashed a header wide with the goal at his mercy.

AAP