Socceroos’ not-so-secret ‘cheat code’ in Asian Cup bid amid big concern

The Socceroos on Saturday will kick off an Asian Cup campaign they believe can deliver the team’s second-ever title – but their warm-up win over Bahrain proves they still have to address a worrying issue.

The Socceroos laboured past a physical and defensive-minded Bahrain, ranked 12th among Asian confederation teams, struggling to break down a low block in defence that stifled Australia’s creativity and attacking output.

But Australia emerged 2-0 victors thanks to an own goal from a Craig Goodwin cross before veteran striker Mitchell Duke nodded home from close range after a cross was directed back across goal by Goodwin.

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After 2023’s schedule was dominated by tough friendlies against attacking opposition, such as world champions Argentina, England, and Mexico, playing against a team dedicated to sitting deep in defence and hitting on the counter was a crucial learning experience.

“For us, I think, for us, it’s the perfect fixture to have before the Asian Cup,” coach Graham Arnold said. “You know, when we play against these types of nations, they sit back. Most nations we played against in the last twelve months haven’t really done that.

“I think, you know, they’re a strong nation that’s getting stronger, and like a lot of the Middle Eastern nations, physically, they were quite bigger than what we expected.”

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For years, the Socceroos have laboured against teams that sit deep in defence, lacking creativity or incisive passing in the final third to break down packed defences.

Scoring goals is arguably the biggest weakness in this Socceroos squad entering the tournament.

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