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Win all that matters to Roos' coach Arnold

3 minute read

The Socceroos set a new Asian record for consecutive World Cup qualifying wins but coach Graham Arnold knows a 1-0 victory over Vietnam was far from perfect.

Sydney FC coach GRAHAM ARNOLD.
Sydney FC coach GRAHAM ARNOLD. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The Socceroos may have become the first team in the Asian confederation to win 10 straight matches in a single World Cup qualifying campaign but coach Graham Arnold knows their 1-0 success over Vietnam was far from perfect.

Despite dominating possession in hot and humid conditions at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on Tuesday, a resolute Vietnam made Arnold's team work overtime for the points.

Rhyan Grant's first international goal just before halftime was the Socceroos' only shot on target in a match where the Golden Star Warriors threatened to end Australia's winning run.

In the end though, Australia leave Hanoi with a perfect two wins from two to start the third phase of qualifying following last Friday's 3-0 win over China in Qatar.

The victory also means Australia join Germany (2018), Spain (2010) and Mexico (2006) as the only countries to win 10 straight qualifying matches in a single campaign.

"Very happy with the effort," Arnold told Network 10.

"Performance obviously could have been better but you've got to look at the circumstances and the conditions we played in.

"At the end of the day, another clean sheet ... it's a sign of a good team when you don't play your best, but you can still win."

The victory over the Group B minnows gives Australia a huge chance to take control of their World Cup destiny when they face Oman and traditional rivals Japan in their next two matches in October.

Oman stunned Japan in their opening fixture with a 1-0 win in Kyoto, but Football Australia is pushing hard to have the match played in Sydney under strict COVID regulations in what would be the Socceroos' first game on home soil in two years.

Former Socceroos captain Mark Milligan said the opportunity to play at home would be a massive boost for Arnold and his squad.

"To be able to sing the anthem in front of home fans, there's nothing quite like it," Milligan said.

Later on Tuesday, Saleh Al Shehri earned Saudi Arabia their second win in a row as Herve Renard's side beat Oman 1-0 in Muscat to move level on points with Australia at the top of Group B.

Al Shehri struck after a clever backheel from Fahad Al Muwallad three minutes before the break.

Japan bounced back from their Oman loss to beat China 1-0 in Doha thanks to Yuya Osako's first-half goal, moving Hajime Moriyasu's side level with the Omanis on three points.

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