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Socceroos fans criticized Graham Arnold’s tactics after Australia were beaten 4-1 by France (AEDT) in their World Cup opener on Wednesday morning.
The Socceroos took a shocking early lead through Craig Goodwin’s stunning finish and rattled the defending champions in the first 20 minutes.
A number of Socceroos fans were dissatisfied with Graham Arnold’s tactics on Wednesday
However, Les Bleus’ class finally shone through as Adrien Rabiot and Olivier Giroud turned the game upside down within four minutes, while Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann continued unbridled.
Mbappé added a second after the break, before Giroud completed his double to level with Thierry Henry on 51 goals as France’s most prolific goalscorer of all time.
Rabiot’s equalizer appeared to upset Australia, with the game plan that had served the Socceroos so well in the first quarter of the match seemingly abandoned.
And a number of Aussie fans seemed dissatisfied with Arnold’s approach.
Craig Goodwin gave Australia a shocking early lead with a stunning finish
But their joy soon evaporated when Adrien Rabiot (right) leveled France
Before Olivier Giroud put the defending champion ahead four minutes later
“I really liked Harry Kewell on communications,” tweeted AFL journalist Riley Beveridge.
“Very insightful throughout and a clear, audible disdain for Graham Arnold’s football.”
A Socceroos fan described “Taking Graham Arnold as coach was the worst thing that has happened to this country”, arguing that “We struggled qualifying and we will be torn to shreds.”
Harry Kewell sounded far from impressed with Arnold’s approach to commentary
A Socceroos fan suggested that Australia had backtracked following Arnold’s appointment
While another even called for his sacking before the game against Tunisia
Another fan called for Arnold to be fired ahead of Saturday’s game against Tunisia, while several others complained about the Socceroos’ negative set-up.
“There’s no reason why we couldn’t be ambitious, even against these better nations,” one wrote.
“I hope 10 behind the ball is not the tactic for Denmark and Tunisia, but I think I know Graham Arnold better.”
Another added: “I am shocked that the team coached by Graham Arnold that has been terrible for the last four years is still terrible. The exciting positive football we played under Ange was given up for this absolute nonsense that produces worse results.’
Several Australian fans were dissatisfied with Arnold’s conservative approach on Wednesday
And claimed that the Socceroos were now worse than they were under Ange Postecoglou
Arnold’s post-match comments were equally scrutinized after the Socceroos boss acknowledged the gap in quality between his team and France.
“Like I said, their [France’s] team is worth a billion euros and ours is worth 35 million,” he said.
“They have players in top leagues around the world, we don’t have anyone. [It was] A fantastic performance from the boys.’
After the game, Arnold acknowledged the quality gap between France and Australia
But some fans questioned the attitude of Arnold’s post-match comments.
‘Mentality does not necessarily equate to results […] but Graham Arnold just seems happy to be a part of the show. […] I just want a winner in charge,” wrote Peak A-League podcaster Gerard Lynch.
Others shared his view, with one fan noting that the interview made him feel ‘I listened to my U11 coach after we just lost 23-0 to the league winners’. Another added:
But some fans objected to his comment, saying it was too negative
Some fans commented that Arnold’s comments seemed to have no real ambition
“Graham Arnold’s post-game interview exposes everything that’s wrong with the national team right now. Too much b******t that doesn’t reflect the reality of what happened. We beat Peru on penalties and everyone forgot about the mess we played in the last four years.
In the other group D on Tuesday, Tunisia and Denmark drew 0-0, a result that according to Arnold increases Australia’s chances.
‘[The] Second game [against Tunisia on Saturday] is a must-win,” he said.
“Great, the other result is a draw, we’re in it all the way.”