pwshub.com

Socceroos boss Graham Arnold is fighting for his job against China

If the goal-shy Socceroos don't beat China in their next World Cup qualifier, coach Graham Arnold could be shown the door.

It comes despite Football Australia CEO James Johnson publicly backing Arnold on Friday.

The Socceroos currently sit fifth in group C following a shock home 1-0 loss to Bahrain which was compounded by a frustrating 0-0 away draw with Indonesia, piling pressure on the coach.

'We are disappointed with where we ended after the first two games, but we are certainly not panicking.

'Right now, we need cool and calm leadership, and we need to ask the right questions and provide the right support to ensure that Arnie and the team are set up for the upcoming match against China. 

Johnson added FA 'have faith' in Arnold and anticipate the Socceroos boss 'will be analysing where he went wrong, and then will come up with solutions.'

If the goal-shy Socceroos don't beat China in their next World Cup qualifier on October 10, coach Graham Arnold could be shown the door

Australia take on China on October 10 in Adelaide, before facing Japan in Saitama five days later.

The Blue Samurai are flying in group C, unbeaten in their first two games, scoring 12 goals and conceding none.

The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and America, with an expanded 48 nations taking part.

Meanwhile, Football Australia are poised to appoint an interim Matildas coach in the next seven to 10 days as the replacement for Tony Gustavsson.

Johnson confirmed the Matildas will tackle Chinese Taipei twice in December, with both matches in Victoria at AAMI Park and Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium.

They also are pencilled in to take on Germany on October 29 in Duisburg.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Related stories
2 weeks ago - How to best utilise rising star Nestory Irankunda against Bahrain on Thursday night in the Socceroos' World Cup qualifier remains a pleasant headache for coach Graham Arnold.
2 weeks ago - Aussies have reacted in a very Australian way after a Socceroos star was banned in the United States for allegedly dropping a c-bomb on an opposition player
2 weeks ago - Young Australian of the Year, Awer Mabil, is shifting from leading off the field to setting standards on it, aiming to secure his place in Socceroos coach Graham Arnold's World Cup qualifying plans
3 weeks ago - As the first Australian to coach a Premier League club, Ange Postecoglou has surely silenced the critics - but the Tottenham boss remains perplexed why he isn't a revered figure on home soil.
2 weeks ago - The loss, in the side's first game on the Gold Coast, is a massive setback to begin the third round of qualifying that continues in Jakarta against Indonesia on Tuesday.
Other stories
6 minutes ago - After a dull first period, Arteta 's side faced an early second-half concession when the referee awarded the home side a penalty following a challenge from Thomas Partey on Ederson .
6 minutes ago - ISAAN KHAN IN BERGAMO: Mikel Arteta hailed David Raya's miraculous double save as 'one of the best I've seen in my career' with Arsenal rescuing an unlikely point against Atalanta.
6 minutes ago - With an exquisite piece of footwork in the build-up to the second goal in a 4-0 win at Feyenoord, the Nigeria striker earned the praise of his teammates - and plenty of fans on social media.
6 minutes ago - Matches across Europe were criticised for lacking jeopardy with teams knowing they still have another seven games to play, with only 12 of the 36 clubs eliminated at the league phase.
7 minutes ago - Emmanuel-Thomas, a 33-year-old striker, had been playing for Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton, but the club had confirmed his contract has now been terminated.