By Anna Harrington
A hard-fought and frustrating 2-0 friendly win over Bahrain was the perfect final tune-up for the Socceroos’ Asian Cup campaign, according to coach Graham Arnold.
A week out from Australia’s opening group B match against India, Arnold’s charges took the lead via an own goal from Amine Benaddi in the 35th minute before Mitch Duke added another in the 61st minute.
Bahrain’s Mohamed Adel and Australia’s Jordan Jacob Bos fight for the ball.Credit: Getty Images
Winger Craig Goodwin had a hand in both goals in Saturday’s (Sunday AEDT) friendly at the Baniyas Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The victory, as Australia dominated possession but had just seven shots and struggled to create clear-cut chances, offered a testing insight into some of the similarly deep-lying defences they could face in Qatar.
But Arnold wasn’t overly concerned, instead relishing the testing friendly.
“It was a great hit-out,” Arnold said.
“It was quite a physical game and obviously playing against these type of nations, how they sit back – as much as you can do presentations and train it and get ready for it, it’s always great to play against opposition that play that way.
“So it was a perfect, perfect game that we could have had leading into the Asian Cup.”
Goodwin noted the Socceroos could yet “be a bit tidier in possession” but otherwise echoed Arnold’s sentiments.
“It’s probably similar to some of the games that we’ll encounter at this Asian Cup,” he said.
“So it’s gonna be a tough competition, but we have the aspirations to go very deep into the competition.
“So it’s important for us to get the minutes, to get used to playing together again, and having that mentality of being ruthless.”
With skipper and first-choice goalkeeper Mat Ryan (cheekbone) sidelined, Arnold opted for young Adelaide United shotstopper Joe Gauci over Western Sydney’s Lawrence Thomas in goal.
Jackson Irvine was captain in Ryan’s absence.
On debut, Gethin Jones started at right-back and was solid while attacker Sammy Silvera showed promise in his first start.
Australia’s Samuel Miles Silvera (left) goes in for a tackle during the friendly against Bahrain.Credit: Getty Images
Arnold had stressed the game was an opportunity for players like out-of-season Duke to gain valuable match fitness.
Pleasingly, midfielder Riley McGree returned from injury as a second-half substitute, while the Socceroos avoided any new fitness concerns.
“I made a number of changes and had players who hadn’t played for quite a while,” Arnold said.
“And it just shows you, those six boys I brought on, how much depth we’re creating and building.”
Goodwin should have given Australia the lead just after the half-hour when he cut onto his right foot but sprayed wide.
The Socceroos struck four minutes later.
Goodwin’s tantalising ball across the six-yard box proved too dangerous for Benaddi to ignore, but he turned his attempted clearance into his own net.
Bahrain were arguably unlucky when they appealed, unsuccessfully, for a penalty after the ball hit Aiden O’Neill’s arm in the 59th minute, and there was no VAR to overturn the referee’s decision.
Two minutes later, Australia doubled their lead.
Jones burst forward then passed back to O’Neill, who launched the ball towards the back post.
Goodwin headed the ball across goal for a diving Duke to nod home.
AAP
