Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic has thrown his support behind Graham Arnold to lead Australia through the World Cup play-offs after Football Australia decided not to swing the axe on the under-fire Socceroos coach.
Speculation had been mounting Arnold could be sacked after failing to secure direct qualification to Qatar with the Socceroos.
Football Australia has instead given Arnold, who is contracted until after this year's World Cup, a reprieve to lead Australia in the play-offs.