‘They’re still talking about it’: ‘Shockeroos’ return to England 20 years after infamous upset
It’s been 20 years since the Socceroos took down a star-studded English outfit on their home turf and Australian coach Graham Arnold says the locals haven’t forgotten as his Australian team looks for a repeat in this weekend’s historic showdown at Wembley.
Superstars including David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen were all wearing the three Lions over their hearts that night at Upton Park in February 2003 when Harry Kewell was one of three Socceroos goalscorers in the 3-1 upset that rocked the sport.
Headlines in the English tabloids screamed “Shockeroos” and “Kanga-poo” and after arriving in England last week for the inaugural clash between Australia and England at Wembley, Arnold was left in no doubt the loss still hurt at least the local press.
Arnold said he would be driving home the importance of the great sporing rivalry between the two nations for much of his team’s short preparation.
“100 per cent,” the Socceroos boss said.
“I did some English media the other day and they are still talking about Upton Park in 2003, how we beat them 3-1 and that’s the type of rivalry you need.”
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The clash with England is the Socceroos’ fourth against a high-quality opponent in recent months after matches with Ecuador, World Cup winners Argentina and Mexico, all part of Arnold’s quest to make his team world class ahead of massive assignments, including the Asian Cup in 2024 and the next World Cup in 2026.
“My preference straight after the World Cup when I re-signed was to play against top opposition because it’s the only way we learn,” he said.
“If you play
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