Socceroos coach Graham Arnold explains why the Matildas can win the World Cup thanks to a highly underrated part of their game

Graham Arnold has cited the Matildas’ excellent defense and incredible support from Aussie fans as the main reasons they are able to win the World Cup.

The Socceroos coach was very impressed with the team who held highly regarded Denmark and Canada goalless in their last two games – the first time the side has ever kept two clean sheets in consecutive World Cup matches.

He also said that local fans who have packed sold-out stadiums and watched matches in record numbers are so important to the team that they should be known as the side’s ’12th player’.

The Matildas will aim for their best ever result at a World Cup by beating France in their quarter-final on Saturday afternoon – but Arnold insists they can go much further than that.

The Socceroos coach believes the team’s excellent defense – led by stars like Alanna Kennedy (pictured against Denmark) – is crucial to their chances of lifting the trophy.

“With the 12th player as our fans, I think the Matildas can go all out,” he said. News Corp.

“The defensive performance, the effort and the old Aussie DNA is fully there.

“They certainly have the capabilities, the skills and the belief, but the most important thing is that they have been set up really well defensively.

‘Denmark has made a clean sheet twice in a row and clean sheets are crucial in World Cups.

“Our defensive performance from front to back was really good. Look at Denmark, they really only had one or two shots. Canada hardly had a chance either.’

While attacking players like Caitlin Foord and Mary Fowler have been in the spotlight during Sam Kerr’s absence through a World Cup injury, the Aussies’ ability to take down other teams has not attracted as much attention as what they can do with the ball.

Arnold added that Sam Kerr’s return against Les Bleues will give the Aussies “more energy and faith” before praising the team’s physical abilities.

‘Australian women have genetic bodies that can play top-level sport. They have that hand-eye coordination with athletic bodies,” he said.

Arnold (pictured at the Dolan Warren Awards in June) hopes the Matildas’ stunning success and support at the World Cup prompts the government to increase funding for football

Arnold’s comments about ‘Aussie DNA’ will bring back memories of the Socceroos’ match at the Men’s World Cup in Qatar last year where they recovered from an early hammering by France to bow out in a narrow defeat to Argentina in the round of 16.

The side was praised for their determination and determination as they overcame Tunisia and Denmark to book their date with eventual champions Lionel Messi.

The Socceroos boss has spoken out about increasing government funding for Australian football and believes the success of the Matildas should increase the pressure on Anthony Albanese to do the right thing with the sport.

“After this World Cup, let’s trust that the government can help give our football a home and that everyone respects our game. We need one for the Socceroos. We’ll see,” he said.

“You see everyone walking around in Australian football shirts, and they are men and women.”