Doha: Nobody did the Socceroos any favours on the long, arduous road to Qatar – so they’re expecting none in return, as defender Kye Rowles pledged the team would leave it all on the line in the push for a spot in the World Cup’s round of 16.
The equation is simple for Graham Arnold’s men against world No.10 Denmark on Thursday morning (2am AEDT): win, and they’ll equal Australia’s best finish at a World Cup by confirming their spot in the next round.
Milos Degenek, Harry Souttar and Kye Rowles embrace after Australia’s win over Tunisia.Credit:Getty
Lose, and the dream is over.
Draw, and they still might make it – but not if Tunisia can spring an upset over France, who have already qualified for the knockout stage and could rest their best players in a match of zero consequence for them.
World Cup history shows that playing for a point is fraught with danger, especially since nothing less than a win at the Al Janoub Stadium will do for the Danes as they look to overcome their poor start and leapfrog Australia into the top two – and that imperative, in turn, should open up opportunities for the Socceroos to hurt them on the counter.
“I don’t think any of us, including Arnie, are going into the game trying to rest on our laurels and just try and salvage a point,” Rowles said.
Skipper Maty Ryan celebrates the Socceroos’ first World Cup win in 12 years.Credit:Getty
“We’re going to go into it exactly the same as what we did the last two games and try and get the three points. You don’t really want to count on anyone else to do the job for you. They’ve got to come out and win, but we just know that we’re going to be in a battle regardless of what is needed.”
It only took one result for Rowles, 24, to become addicted to the adrenaline rush that comes with winning at the World Cup.
“I don’t think any of the boys want to experience a different feeling to what that was. You could see around the change room after the game just how together we all were and how positive we all were,” he said.
“We got the taste of what winning on this stage feels like, and I don’t think anyone else wants a different taste. We’re just going to try our hardest again, put everything into this game, because we know that if we do that we’ve got a good chance.”
Striker Mitchell Duke can’t imagine going about the job any other way – especially since the Socceroos tend to play at their best when they’re taking the game to their opponents anyway – although he suspects Les Bleus will want to keep their foot on the pedal in their match with Tunisia, which is to be played at the same time as the Australia-Denmark game.
“I’m sure professional footballers in general wouldn’t approach a World Cup game, I don’t think, with any kind of lax mindset,” he said.
“There’s players out there that are hungry for individual rewards. I’m sure [Kylian] Mbappe will want to keep scoring goals to try and get the golden boot. I’m hoping all those players in the French squad keep that same mentality and want to get the full clean sweep in their group to get the result and do us a favour against Tunisia.
“We’ve just got to focus on ourselves – as long as we get the job done against Denmark it doesn’t matter.”
The second-placed team in Group D will face the winners from Group C – Argentina, Poland or Saudi Arabia.
While there’s little doubt another high-octane showing from the Socceroos will give them a shot at matching the “golden generation” of 2006 as the only Australian team to make it out of their World Cup group, the big question is whether they have enough petrol in the tank to do it.
Arnold has started 10 of the same 11 players so far, with his only change a forced one as Fran Karacic replaced the injured Nathaniel Atkinson against Tunisia.
Every member of the squad trained on Sunday at the Aspire Academy, although it was a very light, recovery-focused session for those with the most minutes under their belts.
The return of Ajdin Hrustic off the bench is an indicator the Italy-based midfielder might finally be ready to start, but with the Socceroos tackling their second four-day turnaround in a row, there may be a need for fresh legs beyond him, especially coming off such a gruelling contest.
“Recovery is a key factor to that, making sure your body’s ready to go. And just being honest within yourself,” Duke said.
“Because if you don’t feel like you can go out on that pitch giving 100 per cent, then you shouldn’t be out there. That’s where it comes down to honesty, communication, and knowing your body – that goes down to the individual and communicating with the medical staff, and so on.
“I’m sure all the boys will get themselves right in time and everyone will be ready to put their hands up to give 110 per cent again, because that’s what we’re going need – minimum – against Denmark.”
