In the just-announced group draw for the 12-team Asian qualifying round of the World Qualifiers, Australia was drawn in Group B alongside old rivals China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Vietnam. Graham Arnold, head coach of the Australian men's national team, revealed in an interview that the whole team is satisfied with the grouping result.
With Japan highlighted in the report, not only are the Aussies looking forward to playing the highest ranked national team in Asia, but Arnold himself is looking forward to a conversation with Japan head coach Mori Koichi. The duo worked together at Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the 1990s. Arnold said, "I think the draw is pretty good and every game in the Top 12 will be a tough challenge. The fact that we are grouped with Middle Eastern and East Asian countries is a great situation."
The article also mentions Australia's journey to the 2018 World Cup. They trailed Japan and Saudi Arabia in the group stage and eventually struggled to qualify through the play-offs as third in the group. Arnold said that facing these two familiar opponents again would be a big advantage for the team.
It's worth noting that seven of Australia's eight matches in the World Qualifiers were played away from home. Arnold said: "The whole team is happy with the draw, we are very confident and trust the lads. We're getting used to playing away from home, especially going to the Middle East for multiple games. The lads are getting more comfortable with playing away from home, which is great."
Finally, Arnold said, "It's always good when the situation is clear and now we can start planning for the Big 12. Obviously the most important thing is to play the Top 12 in Australia, which we may or may not be able to do. That's going to be one of the things that the AFL needs to be clear about in the next week or after that: whether we're going to be playing at home or whether we're going to have to go overseas."
