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Odd couple Arnold, Rogic reunite for Roos

3 minute read

Five years on after Central Coast Mariners' title-winning campaign, Graham Arnold and Tom Rogic have reunited in the Socceroos setup.

Head coach GRAHAM ARNOLD of Sydney FC looks on prior to the AFC Champions League Group H match between Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Sydney FC at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, South Korea.
Head coach GRAHAM ARNOLD of Sydney FC looks on prior to the AFC Champions League Group H match between Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Sydney FC at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, South Korea. Picture: Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images

Tom Rogic is embracing a return to playing for the coach that gave him his start in football, Graham Arnold.

Arnold and Rogic have been reunited in the Socceroos setup, almost seven years after Arnold debuted the lanky project player as a teenager at Central Coast.

The pair are very different individuals.

Arnold is a brash, extroverted former striker that relishes his position as a senior coach.

Rogic is a quietly-spoken thinker off the pitch, a graceful artistic player on it, and one that you suspect might be just as happy at career's end walking away from the game.

But both have a great fondness for each other and a desire to achieve great things for Australia under Arnold's tenure.

Arnold has promised Rogic a special place in his Socceroos squad, almost a free-roaming role as Australia go hunting for goals.

"He's a player that excites everyone," he said.

"I'm very proud to have been part of his career in the past.

"I only see Tommy Rogic going to another level with us over the next four years.

"Tommy will be given more freedom on the field to express himself ... with that freedom we all will see a different Tommy Rogic."

Rogic said he was eager to get into a "new chapter" in Australian football, beginning against Kuwait, on Tuesday morning (AEDT).

"(Arnold's tenure is) very positive and as an attacking player, it's exciting the prospect of what we can achieve," he said.

"There's definitely freedom for all attacking players and something I'm looking forward to."

Rogic shot to stardom at Central Coast under Arnold, leaving mid-way through their title-winning season of 2012/13 to join Celtic.

Other championship-winning Mariners now reside within the Socceroos setup.

Goalkeeper Mat Ryan, not in Kuwait with a minor injury, is the country's undisputed No.1.

Trent Sainsbury is set to ascend to the captaincy, while Mile Sterjovski has also been involved in the national team setup as a player confidant.

Rogic, 25, said he was proud of his achievements in a Socceroos shirt to date but hoped that Arnold's return could spur the national side on.

"I think I have a lot more to give in my career as a whole," he said.

"Fast forward six years and I think it's safe to say Graham has learned a lot and become a better manager. Along the way I think I've become a better player as well.

"Hopefully I'll be able to learn a lot more from him and I'll be able to show that to Australia."

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