‘There’s only so much I can do’: Graham Arnold laments Socceroos’ lack of sharpness in World Cup qualifying | 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Under pressure from months of poor performances, Socceroos coach Graham Arnold did something unusual after the 0-0 draw with Indonesia in Jakarta on Tuesday night that has left Australia struggling in Group C of World Cup qualifying.

The famous manager, who has built a reputation for good relations with his dressing room, was critical of his players.

“We should have won and won comfortably. We had the chances, we missed the chances – again,” Arnold said. “Look, I can’t do everything, I can’t play the game for them. And at the end of the day we should have beaten Bahrain – we missed the chances – and today we should have won comfortably and we missed the chances. So I’m probably as disappointed as any other Australian.”

The match went as many had feared. The muscular Australian team were unable to find a way out on poor ground against a determined opponent supported by a crowd of 70,000 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

But compared to last week’s disaster against Bahrain – when a late own goal on the Gold Coast secured a surprise victory for the visitors – Arnold said he had seen some improvement.

“(It was a) massively improved performance, and the boys showed that, but (I’m) massively disappointed because how many chances are we creating? How many chances are we getting? And it’s been a common theme for over a year.”

The closest Australia came to scoring in the first half was a shot from 18-year-old Nestory Irankunda, making his first start. His shot from outside the penalty area hit the inside of the post, bounced back into play and off the back of Indonesian goalkeeper Maarten Paes, but was somehow kept out of the net.

“It was just a bit of bad luck,” Irankunda told Paramount Plus. “I hit the ball perfectly, just an inch off and of course that happens in football, but in the next round we go again.”

In just one month, Australia welcome China – the only team below the Socceroos in the six-team Group C standings – to Adelaide Oval. Five days later, they travel to Japan for a clash against the Samurai Blue, who have scored 12 goals in two games, including a 5-0 thrashing of Bahrain on Tuesday.

The other automatic place in the group – part of the third round of Asian qualifying – is taken by Saudi Arabia, three points ahead of Australia.

“Second place is four right now,” Arnold said. “So it’s not like it’s a disaster, but I have to go home and think a lot.”

Irankunda said he was “unlucky to be substituted a little bit too early” in the 59th minute but was happy with his performance. And he was confident in the team’s ability to bounce back in qualifying for the expanded 48-team tournament, which gives the Socceroos two extra chances to reach North America even if they finish outside the top two in Group C.

“We are not panicking. There is no reason to panic,” he said.