Latest news with #GrahamArnold
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Former Socceroos manager left 'stranded' in Iraq amid escalating conflict between Israel and Iran
Former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has been forced to seek refuge in a high-security hotel in Iraq after being unable to fly home to Australia, according to reports. Amid escalating conflicts between Israel and Iran, flights have been grounded in Iraq with Baghdad airport being closed last week. The 61-year-old football coach, who was appointed Iraq's new coach in May, is said to be 'safe' but is 'unsettled'. The Courier Mail reports the football manager has told friends he was nervous that the US Embassy, located less than a kilometre from his hotel, had been closed by President Donald Trump last week. He had planned to stay in the country for a week after Iraq's international matches at the beginning of the month. A friend of Arnold's told the outlet: 'Arnie is stuck in Baghdad, the airport is closed. 'He is safe but unsettled and uncomfortable. He is staying at a high-security Baghdad hotel.' They added: 'Graham isn't saying much but the only worry is whether this could escalate to involve other countries. 'Hopefully, the airport opens in the next 24 hours.' It is understood that several other members of his coaching team are also unable to leave the country. Zeljko Kalac, a member of his coaching staff, is said to have left on the last flight out of Baghdad. Multiple airlines have been avoiding the airspace around Iraq, Iran and Jordan. Emirates and Qatar Airways have also cancelled flights to Iraq. It comes as Israel and Iran have launched multiple missile strikes against eachother in recent days. Arnold, who hails from Sydney, enjoyed a glittering 20-year career on the pitch, playing for Sydney United, Liege, and NAC Breda before he hung up his boots in 2000. He would later step into coaching, taking charge of the Australian national side on two occasions, while also taking charge of Sydney United and Northern Spirit. Arnold, an inductee of the Australian Football Hall of Fame, had taken charge of two matches for Iraq, before conflicts between Israel and Iran arose in recent days. On June 5, Iraq were beaten 2-0 by South Korea, Arnold's first game in charge of the National side. Five days later he claimed his first win as the country's head coach, beating Jordan 1-0 in their World Cup Qualifying match at the Amman International Stadium in Jordan. The football coach stepped down from his role as the manager of the Australian national side in September with two years left on his contract.
The Australian
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Football: Tony Popovic demands best from Socceroos
Socceroos captain Mat Ryan says the 'passion' of Australia's coach Tony Popovic will continue to inspire the national team ahead of next year's FIFA World Cup. The Socceroos only need to avoid a five-goal defeat in Wednesday morning's clash against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah to guarantee themselves qualification for a sixth successive World Cup. Popovic's appointment last September came at a difficult time for the Socceroos, who had made a poor start to the third round of AFC World Cup qualifiers with a 1-0 loss to Bahrain and a 0-0 draw with Indonesia. It led to the departure of long-time coach Graham Arnold, with Popovic given the task of getting the Socceroos' qualifying campaign back on track. The new coach, who played for the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup, made an immediate impression on experienced goalkeeper Ryan, who was set to make his 100th appearance for the national team on Wednesday. Tony Popovic's 'passion' for the Socceroos has been recognised by his players. Picture:'I remember when they appointed him and watching his first press conference and interviews,' Ryan said. 'There was a few questions thrown at him about it being not the greatest time to be taking over as Socceroos head coach because of the circumstances we were in. 'We didn't start off the group in the best possible way and were perhaps behind the eight-ball. 'From memory of him answering the question, he said … 'Every moment to take over the national team, especially the Australian national team, is a great moment. I'm not buying into any of that. It's an honour. It's a privilege to be here, and I can't wait to get to work'. 'From that moment, I (thought) 'he's someone that's super passionate about not only football but Australian football', and it's just been on repeat since he's been in here. 'He demands the absolute maximum from each and every one of us, and that's exactly how it should be.' Ryan said Arnold and Ange Postecoglou had shown similar passion when they coached the Socceroos, as opposed to the tenures of the other two full-time coaches who had guided him at national team level – German mentor Holger Osieck and Dutchman Bert van Marwijk. 'With every manager we've had here in the national team, it's fair to say the Australian managers more than the foreign managers (have) got that extra special relationship with the jersey,' he said. 'Ange (and) 'Arnie' were also obviously very passionate about the national team, and that was portrayed through their actions and their words and speeches.' Read related topics: FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Marco Monteverde Sports reporter Marco Monteverde is a Brisbane-based sports reporter for NCA Newswire. He worked in a similar role for The Courier-Mail from 2007 to 2020. During a journalism career of more than 25 years, he has also worked for The Queensland Times, The Sunshine Coast Daily, The Fraser Coast Chronicle and The North West Star. He has covered three FIFA World Cups and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as a host of other major sporting events in Australia and around the world. @marcothejourno Marco Monteverde
West Australian
11-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Ex-Socceroos coach Graham Arnold ‘proud' of his Iraq team following win over Jordan
Former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has secured his first win as Iraq coach with a 1-0 away victory over Jordan in Amman. While Wednesday morning's success wasn't enough for Iraq to secure FIFA World Cup qualification, Arnold's men will have another chance to book a berth in next year's tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada when they compete in the fourth round of AFC qualifiers in October. 'I'm proud of the team,' Arnold said after the win, which came less than a week after Iraq suffered a 2-0 home loss to South Korea in his first game in charge of the Lions of Mesopotamia. 'It was a crazy week, but it ended well. We rested four players to avoid suspension and will now focus on the (fourth round). 'My message to Iraqi fans – believe in us, we will reach the 2026 World Cup.' The fourth round of qualifiers features the nations that finished third and fourth in the three third-round groups. Joining Iraq will be the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Indonesia. The six nations will be split into two groups of three, with the top team from each group to advance to the World Cup. The teams that finished second in each group will play each other for the AFC's spot in the six-nation inter-confederation playoffs, from which two teams will secure World Cup qualification.
Perth Now
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Arnold secures first win with Iraq
Former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has secured his first win as Iraq coach with a 1-0 away victory over Jordan in Amman. While Wednesday morning's success wasn't enough for Iraq to secure FIFA World Cup qualification, Arnold's men will have another chance to book a berth in next year's tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada when they compete in the fourth round of AFC qualifiers in October. 'I'm proud of the team,' Arnold said after the win, which came less than a week after Iraq suffered a 2-0 home loss to South Korea in his first game in charge of the Lions of Mesopotamia. 'It was a crazy week, but it ended well. We rested four players to avoid suspension and will now focus on the (fourth round). 'My message to Iraqi fans – believe in us, we will reach the 2026 World Cup.' The fourth round of qualifiers features the nations that finished third and fourth in the three third-round groups. Joining Iraq will be the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Indonesia. The six nations will be split into two groups of three, with the top team from each group to advance to the World Cup. The teams that finished second in each group will play each other for the AFC's spot in the six-nation inter-confederation playoffs, from which two teams will secure World Cup qualification.
News.com.au
11-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ex-Socceroos coach Graham Arnold ‘proud' of his Iraq team following win over Jordan
Former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has secured his first win as Iraq coach with a 1-0 away victory over Jordan in Amman. While Wednesday morning's success wasn't enough for Iraq to secure FIFA World Cup qualification, Arnold's men will have another chance to book a berth in next year's tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada when they compete in the fourth round of AFC qualifiers in October. 'I'm proud of the team,' Arnold said after the win, which came less than a week after Iraq suffered a 2-0 home loss to South Korea in his first game in charge of the Lions of Mesopotamia. 'It was a crazy week, but it ended well. We rested four players to avoid suspension and will now focus on the (fourth round). 'My message to Iraqi fans – believe in us, we will reach the 2026 World Cup.' The final Group B table after tonight's victory - onto the Fourth Round we go in October! ðŸ¦�🇮🇶 #AsianQualifiers #RoadTo2026 — Iraq National Team (@IraqNT_EN) June 10, 2025 The fourth round of qualifiers features the nations that finished third and fourth in the three third-round groups. Joining Iraq will be the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Indonesia. The six nations will be split into two groups of three, with the top team from each group to advance to the World Cup. The teams that finished second in each group will play each other for the AFC's spot in the six-nation inter-confederation playoffs, from which two teams will secure World Cup qualification.
