The equation is straightforward for the Socceroos.
Beat Denmark, and a berth within the Round of 16 for the primary time in 16 years awaits.
Even a draw is prone to do the enterprise for Graham Arnold and his troops.
But standing of their method is the World No. 10, who boast one of many world’s most interesting midfielders of their ranks.
Everything should go in line with the plan for the Aussies as Arnold appears to etch his personal title in nationwide sporting historical past as the primary Australian-born coach to steer the Socceroos to the knockout levels on the World Cup.
Foxsports.com.au previews the essential Denmark conflict within the Socceroos Burning Questions!
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Listen to the podcast beneath and browse on for Slater’s breakdown of the upcoming match!
MORE COVERAGE
‘Dangerous’ entice Socceroos should keep away from … and the way ‘unimaginable’ WC dream can come true
‘It’s not proper’: Arnie drops extraordinary Australian soccer fact bomb
The laborious street of Australia’s principal man … and why he deserves his ‘Schwarzer second’
TO STICK OR TWIST WITH THE SQUAD SELECTION?
After the 4-1 defeat to France, many within the Australian soccer neighborhood known as for Arnold to make adjustments to his squad.
It was evident the gamers ran their socks off, even once they have been battling to maintain the French at bay within the second half.
Yet Arnold solely made one change to his squad for the sport in opposition to Tunisia — Fran Karacic changing Nathaniel Atkinson — and that was solely as a result of the latter was injured.
The gutsy name paid off in dividends because the Socceroos edged previous the Eagles of Carthage with a gritty 1-0 win.
Several Aussie stars regarded out on their ft within the latter levels of the conflict, however no-one got here off with any critical accidents.
No doubt there’s some heavy legs within the camp, however does Arnold inject some recent faces into the lineup?
Not in line with Socceroos nice Robbie Slater.
“I’m discovering it laborious wherever to see any adjustments,” Slater instructed the Fox Football Podcast.
“Geez, it’s an enormous name to depart somebody out after a recreation like that, the place the whole lot was near-perfect.
“You’d really feel a bit bitter when you have been getting not noted like this.
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“I believe Arnie believes in virtually his first eleven … You’ve gotta play your finest eleven, and for me, the most effective eleven is the one simply performed.”
However, if there was to be one change in Arnold’s line-up, Slater believes it could be within the midfield.
“Is Hrustic prepared to start out,” Slater stated.
“I’ve bought a sense he would possibly begin … I might begin him.
“I believe Riley is nice, however I believe Hrustic is only a stage up in the mean time — the place he performs, he’s performed in massive video games, he performed in and gained the Europa League ultimate and took a penalty.
“He is aware of that is massive time, that is our largest match since – Italy was most likely a much bigger match, however in respect to creating it, it’s Croatia (2006) once more.”
Another place group followers would possibly level to as one that may want a breather are the forwards: Mat Leckie, Craig Goodwin and Mitchell Duke.
The trio have put in a mountain of labor throughout the 2 video games to this point and though Slater is aware of it’s “taxing” taking part in in these positions, the carrot of a knockout stage berth ought to support the restoration.
“I believe that entrance three stays,” Slater stated.
“I do know it’s taxing and also you’ve bought to take a look at the minutes. But adrenaline, certainly, and the prize is so massive.”
Slater added: “I don’t suppose you possibly can change Goodwin or Leckie — except Leckie is a shot duck after two video games. I imply that in a pleasant method!
“They have been my positions I performed, you’re a health individual whenever you’re taking part in in that place … they need to be capable of get well.”
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HAS ARNOLD LEARNED FROM TOKYO TRAGEDY?
Arnold guided the Olyroos – Australia’s under-23s – to the Tokyo Olympics, their first look since Beijing 2008 when he was additionally in cost.
The kids pulled off a shocking victory over heavyweights Argentina within the opener, however struggled from there – and in an analogous scenario to this World Cup, the Olyroos entered the ultimate group recreation figuring out a draw would probably be sufficient.
On that day, the Aussies misplaced, their Olympic dream shattered.
Arnold should be feeling a way of deja vu forward of the Denmark conflict, however with the Olyroos expertise within the again pocket, he is aware of what should be modified if the Aussies are to get pleasure from a constructive final result.
“That’s why I had the huddle straight after the [Tunisia] recreation as a result of if there’s one factor I learnt on the Olympics, it was after an enormous win in opposition to Argentina, there was an excessive amount of celebration,” Arnold stated.
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“And that celebration, I’m sorry, is social media. They get on that till 4 or 5 within the morning, watch all the nice feedback and luxuriate in all that shite if I can say that … it impacts gamers.
“It impacts their sleep patterns so when you’re as much as 5 within the morning that, and looking out on the good feedback and other people backing you, the identical persons are doing it again the day after and it’s killing us, simply do away with it and don’t have a look at it.”
Slater agreed with the Socceroos boss.
“Maybe we celebrated too early,” Slater stated.
“We beat Argentina which was an enormous shock. And it didn’t occur from there. I believe we’ve simply bought to get pleasure from – however not shout too excessive, not predict an excessive amount of.
“Just do it the Aussie method, the way in which Milos Degenek talked about and the opposite gamers have talked about – being the underdog. We like that.”
“This is the issue for Arnie and the group. They’ve performed one thing unbelievable, however this recreation comes in a short time!”
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CAN THE AUSSIES KEEP FRANCE VS TUNISIA OUT OF THEIR MINDS?
Much like the ultimate day of the Premier League the place all 20 groups kick off on the similar time, the Socceroos’ conflict in opposition to Denmark takes place alongside Tunisia’s fixture in opposition to France.
Aussie followers dotted across the Al Janoub Stadium for the sport might be glued to their telephones, refreshing the results of the latter fixture whereas they watch the motion unfold in entrance of their eyes.
It’s a gut-wrenching, stomach-turning expertise for followers.
But what’s it like for gamers?
Slater twice performed in decisive Premier League video games on the final day of the season and admitted it’s not a nice time.
“That feeling of taking part in on the similar time and never figuring out what’s occurring over there, and watching the benches, it’s very unnerving for a footballer,” Slater stated.
“You simply have to focus on your job at hand.”
The Premier League winner additionally opened up on what he believes Arnie will inform his troops who may be lending some mind house to the Tunisia v France match.
“I do know what precisely what he’s gonna say – as a result of he’s stated it from ceaselessly when he’s teaching … ‘You can’t management issues exterior of your space,’” Slater stated.
“The solely factor Arnie can management and his gamers is their recreation.”
Arnold is on the verge of creating historical past. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
HOW WILL THE AUSSIES STOP ERIKSEN?
Against Les Bleus, the Aussies realized on the job methods to take care of a few of the finest gamers on this planet.
Although Denmark don’t possess the identical ranges of star energy the French do, they’ve a particular and energetic fashion of play that’s troublesome to maintain at bay.
Pivotal to that’s Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen, a participant Slater described as “a magician”.
Sure, Arnold can set his staff as much as swarm Eriksen within the midfield, however they’d be uncovered by the likes of Mikkel Damsgaard and Jesper Lindstrom to call two.
So, what should Arnold do to scale back the collective risk of the Danes?
“I believe one factor you must do is keep compact,” Slater stated.
“You must be compact, so when you’re shifting up and down the pitch, it’s bought to be collectively.
“If you get stretched in opposition to Denmark, they’ll kill us, like France did.”
The Socceroos face Denmark with kick-off scheduled for 2am Thursday (AEDT).
