Socceroos join controversial rematch against world champions Argentina in Beijing – after South American coach admitted Aussies were their biggest challenge at the World Cup
- Coach Arnold wants matches against the best countries
- Play in Beijing upsets Australian Uyghur community
- Argentina appearance fee worth more than $7 million
The Socceroos face world champions Argentina on June 15 in Beijing in crucial preparation for their Asia Cup tournament and World Cup qualification.
The long rumored friendly match at the newly renovated Workers’ Stadium is going ahead just over six months after Argentina beat Australia 2-1 in the World Cup round of 16 in Qatar, Football Australia confirmed on Monday.
“Securing a match against world champions Argentina reflects Australia’s position in world football and the respect the top nations have for both of our senior national teams,” FA chief James Johnson said in a statement.
The Socceroos also have a highly anticipated friendly against England at Wembley Stadium in October.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina is the world No. 1 in the latest FIFA rankings, with Australia ranked 29th.
World’s best player Lionel Messi of Argentina (with ball) runs past Socceroo Mitchell Duke during the team clash at the World Cup in Qatar
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold was desperate to meet Argentina, citing the importance of taking on top-flight opposition ahead of another World Cup cycle.
‘It would be great. I just get goosebumps thinking about it,” Arnold told reporters earlier this month.
“If this game comes, it would be fantastic to play against the world champions right now.
“There’s no better way to test players than to pit them against the best opponents, because if you pit them against the lower opponents, you don’t learn much about the players.
Not everyone in Australia is happy about the prospect of the Socceroos playing Argentina in China next month (pictured, the world champions celebrate their opening goal in Qatar)
Craig Goodwin (pictured) forced Argentina’s own goal in the round of 16 of the World Cup, with the Socceroos winning much respect as they brought the champions to the wire
“So I want these hard games. I want to play against teams that will push us to the limit and we will push them to the limit.
“These kinds of matches are crucial for our preparation and to get better.”
Earlier this month, the Australian-based Uyghur community spoke out against hosting the game in China.
Alim Osman, the president of the Uyghur Association of Victoria, said sending the Socceroos to play an exhibition match with Argentina in Beijing is “another slap in the face for the Uyghur Australians”.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold (pictured in black in Qatar last year) revealed that his Argentinian counterpart told him Australia’s Lionel Messi and co. their toughest match of the tournament
“We are convinced that simply doing business with China contributes to crimes against humanity and genocide against the Uyghurs,” Osman said.
Argentina ended Australia’s World Cup golden run in Qatar via goals for Messi and Julian Alvarez, though Craig Goodwin forced a late own goal from Enzo Fernandez to put the game on the line.
Arnold said Argentina’s counterpart Lionel Scaloni told him at a recent FIFA coaching conference that the Socceroos were their toughest game in the World Cup.
The match, which kicks off at 8pm local time (10pm AEST), will be the Socceroos’ first since a pair of friendly home matches against Ecuador in March.