‘It’s for the nation’: Australia’s Graham Arnold faces latest do-or-die test

25-Nov-2022 05:00:47 | Guardian

The Socceroos are preparing for a must-win game against Tunisia but their veteran coach has seen it all before

Graham Arnold claims he does not read the media. It is his response, every time, to every query regarding external praise, criticism or otherwise. But if, hypothetically, he did take a peek from time to time, he might be getting used to hearing he is about to coach the defining match of his career.

That match apparently first happened back in March, when the 2-0 loss to Japan consigned the Socceroos to two sudden-death qualifying playoffs and the pressure was so intense Football Australia had to release a statement clarifying his job was not in jeopardy.