Socceroos coach Graham Arnold says he’s not over the A-League Men – just the shortcomings in its season length that have bothered him throughout his tenure.
After Australia’s hard-fought 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan at the Asian Cup in Qatar, Arnold praised the opposition’s players, who largely play domestically, raising some eyebrows in the process.
“You can see a lot of Uzbekistan players play in Uzbekistan and play in their local league, where we have four players that play in our local league back in Australia,” Arnold said in his post-match press conference.
“I’ve been talking about our domestic league for a long, long time and I’m not bothered with it anymore.”
He clarified those comments on Friday.
Arnold has consistently lamented the ALM’s 26-game season, which is shorter than most domestic leagues elsewhere, and its late start, throughout his tenure.
Both factors limit the opportunities for locally-based players to press their cases for selection.
“I’ve been saying for four years around the A-League we need to start the competition earlier to get in line with the international windows because I can’t pick players September, October, November – and we don’t play enough football,” Arnold told AAP.
“That’s what I meant by it.
“I’ll be going home watching it every week like I normally do and watching the players but I know that after this I’ve pretty much got one window where I can pick everyone from the A-League: March.
(Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
“And then June we have two games and I can’t pick players who don’t make the semi-finals.
“Again, you just wish there could be a really good sit down and have a chat about why do we have to have an NRL model or AFL model in football when all around the world it’s based on doing what’s right for national teams.
“And I’ve been saying that for four years – so I am over it. That’s all I meant by my comments. I’m not over the A-League in any other way.”
A lack of communication from the leagues, in Arnold’s eyes, hasn’t helped.
But the Socceroos boss insisted he wanted to now focus on Australia’s campaign in Qatar, which continues with Sunday’s round-of-16 clash with Indonesia.
“I’m over it – but at the same time, there’s been no response in terms of the conversation,” he said.
“I just need to focus on what I’m doing. I’m here to focus on the job I’ve got at hand here.”
Aiden
Roar Rookie
he was asked a question wasn’t he?
AxeMaster
Roar Rookie
Or......what does "Alex Ferguson's Letters" have to do with anything?
AxeMaster
Roar Rookie
The Socceroos are so boring to watch and Arnold...if you don't like it get lost. What a tedious style of play they have, give me the Matildas any day.
NickA
Roar Rookie
95% of what you have said has absolutely 0 to do with his comments in this article.
Aiden
Roar Rookie
The NPL kids play more often. 22 games plus 11 qualifiers and 8-10 friendlies.
Chopper07
Roar Rookie
I doo not agree with Arnie on most things for example his selections and his tactics but I do agree in regard to the A League not playing enough games. They should kick off earlier say September but also think about playing in winter and start preparing for it. A good season should have a minimum of 30 games plus finals plus a cup competition.
Garry
Roar Rookie
I think you misread it when saying the Oz Cup is invisible. Its not and I believe growing stronger in fan recognition. If the LigA moves to Sep then the Cup moves to Aug, no problem. Remember that LigA cluibs dont join until rd of 32 - and not all clubs are in it - hope this changes as it seems silly. Last year I think the first r32 game was 13 August. And dont forget some clubs might get knocked out early so not guaranteed match day prep - oh and to be honest some games are merely warm ups for LigA clubs.
Ferno
Roar Rookie
I just meant that season starts earlier than supporters and even clubs are thinking. I really can't understand why the cup is disregarded as football season. I see many crazy ideas in australian football, like unite round, double header. Someone suggested power play!!!! Why not try the craziness of taking the cup seriously as part of the season?
jamesb
Roar Guru
Play Australia Cup mid week.
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
If anything, it's more likely we stay in Summer now that the Champions League and AFC Cup have been moved to a split year format. In regard to an Alternate Stadium for Wanderers Penrith after its upgraded would be a better pick then Belmore if the season was moved to Winter.
Ferno
Roar Rookie
In septembrer there is australia cup. Why everyone disregard it?
Ferno
Roar Rookie
Now and then everyone vent their frustration with a-league and the invisible australia cup, even the most positive person. It's nerve-racking watch things developing. Don't even know who is to blame.
Marzinho
Roar Rookie
I'm over it too. But I'm over Arnie. I've never rated Arnie as our national coach. He seems to just sneak into tournaments and finals. He's always struggled to qualify against lesser opposition. He uses A-League as an excuse but let's be honest about his coaching, it's terrible, rigid and one dimensional. The worst thing is, he somehow wins 2 world cup games and everyone thinks he's a genius. The only thing that won us those games were that our players love having their backs against the wall and played out of their skin. It helps Denmark played below par and Tunisia not capitalising on more possession and shots then us. We just sat back and hit them on the counter. Our supposed better players leave our shores, so he should have the best to pick from so pick those players. I think he's upset because when picking A-League players he is biased to current and former Central Coast Mariner and Sydney FC players and both teams were in bad form leading to the Asia Cup. We definitely not making it past the QF the way we're playing.
Garry
Roar Rookie
issue is more ground quality
Jordan Sports Fan
Roar Rookie
Yeah I dont really think the ground availability is that much of an issue. We already cross over with NRL and Super Rugby from March-May now, and then after that its gets less congested when Super Rugby finishes…
Grem
Roar Rookie
And he is extremely fit. He’s always slimmer when playing under Popovic.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Match fit is different from fit in that no training schedule fully matches game conditions ... so thats why cramping often occurs late. Form is separately how well a particular person is playing. You may be getting confused with another use of form.. "a person's mood and state of health. "she seemed to be on good form""
Max Hunter
Roar Rookie
A move to winter is inevitable. The grounds issue is not as big as people make out. Adelaide is good. Perth, Macarthur, Newcastle, Central Coast have only one other tennant. Western will have a new stadium in a couple of years. Wanderers could look at Belmore Park (canterberry) and use CommBank for derby Sydney Fc lobby the gov to upgrade Leichhardt and derby at sfs. Victory and City could still manage to share the rectangle stadium with the storm in Melbourne. Canberra could manage at the big stadium and Mckeller. Not sure on Auckland and Wellington. Roar, Perry park Yea there is work to do but playing football in summer is just shite
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
The A League needs to go back to playing in winter. But in order to do that it needs to secure grounds to play at where they don’t have to code share with the rugby codes. As there is next to no money domestically, the A League needs to forget about playing in the ‘big’ stadiums and base themselves out of small dedicated grounds. Adelaide is fine obviously, and ironically WU will be fine from next season. But all the other teams need to find new homes.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Thank Garry! I am learning. Would you tell the difference between match fit and good form? I thought they are similar.