“I truly believe that the Socceroos are the team that unites the country”, said Graham Arnold, vindicated. “If the cricket team get to the final of the World Cup you don’t get scenes like tonight. You don’t see the squares like they are tonight, and not with the rugby union or rugby league either. I’m just so proud and happy. This is what World Cups are for.”
The Australia coach was talking after his team had beaten the odds and perhaps even their own expectations to qualify for the round of 16 at Qatar 2022. A deserved victory over the team placed 10th in the Fifa world rankings, Arnold believes this feat has sealed the creation of a second “golden generation” for Australia after the team of 2006, but that now the focus must be on achieving more.
