Australia NewsArnie Doesn't Fear Argentina |
GRAHAM Arnold says Argentina hold no fears for the Olyroos with the coach intrigued to see how the current gold medallists adapt to conditions in Beijing.
To see the Olyroos training at North Sydney Oval...
The Olympic coach accepts that a glance at the South Americans' squad list throws up plenty of big names but he hopes Australia's group opponents still remember the last time the two countries met at the Olympics.
Argentina defeated the Olyroos 1-0 on their way to the gold medal in Athens four years ago.
Arnold said: "Even if you just look at the line-up of Argentina on their team sheet and see the clubs that they play for it looks pretty daunting when you look at it.
"But we're not going to hold any fear with them. In 2004 they won the gold medal and at the end of the tournament we gave them the toughest game, the 1-0 loss in Athens. We'll go out there and play our own game.
"Let's hope they understimate the conditions in Beijing."
The respective senior teams met in September last year with Argentina again emerging victors by a single goal, at the MCG.
Arnold said that match was extremely useful in studying the opposition's style of play first-hand.
He said: "Tactically they play a totally different 4-4-2 to any other 4-4-2 style with only really one central striker and a winger that occupies one of your full-backs so they try to outnumber you in midfield.
"They're doing the same with their Olympic team. Messi will play as a left or a right winger with one central striker."
Arnold revealed the reason Chile had been invited to play two games against the Olyroos in Darwin last week was mainly due to their almost identical tactical style to Argentina.
The coach said: "It was good experience for the players."
To see the Olyroos training at North Sydney Oval...
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