Guide to Socceroos v Kuwait
SOCCEROOS v KUWAIT
Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City
October 15 - 7.30pm kick-off (local), October 16 - 3.30am (AEDT)
AUSTRALIA
Coach: Graham Arnold
Rank: 36
KUWAIT
Coach: Romeo Jozak
Rank: 159
THE LOWDOWN
Graham Arnold's second coming in charge of the Socceroos begins in Kuwait, the diminutive Persian Gulf state that hosted his first overseas clash a decade ago. Then, Arnold was the interim boss after Guus Hiddink's departure. Now, he's the long-term plan after the Ange Postecoglou era and Bert van Marwijk's short-term World Cup project. Arnold and his players have promised "a statement" straight out of the blocks.
THE TEAM
Mile Jedinak and Tim Cahill have retired following their World Cup exertions, while Mat Ryan and Aaron Mooy have niggling injuries that have prevented their travel to Kuwait. That means likely starts for Danny Vukovic, Massimo Luongo and Jackson Irvine, with Apostolos Giannou set to pip Tomi Juric to a starting role up top. Look for possible debuts to South Sudanese refugees Awer Mabil and Thomas Deng from the bench.
THE OPPONENT
Asked about Kuwait, Arnold's response was telling: "We're focused on ourselves." Given they've missed qualification for January's Asian Cup, it's natural Australia's opposition scouts are spending their efforts elsewhere. But the Kuwaitis will be better than their woeful world ranking: they're unbeaten in four, including draws with Iraq and Egypt and a last-out defeat of Lebanon. The toughest part could be playing in oppressive conditions - the temperature is likely to be above 30C.
