Arnold mixed feelings on Danish Result

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold lamented a disjointed first half, but was overall pleased with the way the team played against the classy Danish side.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold lamented a disjointed first half, but was overall pleased with the way the team played against the classy Danish side.

Denmark on the back of a brilliant opening half, beat the Socceroos 3-1, inflicting the first loss on Australia in matches played in England since 1993.

“Overall I am quite happy,” Arnold said immediately after the game. “We were disjointed at times during the first half and they were doing damage in behind our midfield. At half time I was able to change that and I was very happy with the second half.

“At the end of the day, our defensive mistakes we got punished for. They have scored three world class goals, but I feel we helped them as well.

“I-m always disappointed to lose a game of football, but I always try to be very positive. We can fix our defence structurally with personal, but the pleasing aspect of the Ghana game and tonight was the number of chances that we are creating.

Asked how he thought the fringe players went, Arnie believes the exposure to international at this level is a huge benefit and thinks they are not far away from being where they need to be.

“Denmark are a class side; they are ranked 22 or 23 in the world, were near full strength and preparing for their next game against Spain in the Euro qualifiers and are a very good side.

“I have learned a lot. We are in the unique situation now with these friendly games where we can try things. Thwaite and Kisnorbo settled into the game much better in the second half and were both very good; Brett Holman was outstanding and Ryan Griffiths, we are looking for a left-sided player with spark and he comes on and gives us something different.

“I think the depth is getting there. We need to expose these players to international football to give them the experience, to learn, to test themselves. There are some players, they are not cut out for international football and I feel those four are getting closer and closer and will make our squad bigger.”