Arnold's Aussies surpass golden generation

Eight months after almost being sacked, coach Graham Arnold believes his motley mob of Socceroos are the new golden generation.

Arnold reckons the moniker bestowed on the Socceroos' famed 2006 team now belongs to his unfancied squad after they secured passage into the knockout stages of the World Cup in Qatar.

It is just the second time the Socceroos have reached the round of 16, repeating the achievement of 2006.

Under Arnold, Australia have won two games at a World Cup for the first time - the 2006 team advanced to the round of 16 with a win and a draw.

And Arnold has overseen two clean sheets in a row, another first for Australia at a World Cup.

"It's the first time ever an Australian team has won two games of the World Cup in a row," Arnold said after his team's dramatic 1-0 win against Denmark in Doha.

"Maybe we're talking about a new golden generation now.

"Because we have been listening and hearing about the golden generation of 2006 who got four points - and now we have got six.

"Maybe, again, we're talking about a new generation."

Arnold was nearly sacked in March by Football Australia as the Socceroos' qualification campaign stuttered.

But he was backed, with his contract due to expire when Australia's Qatar campaign ends.

The turnaround has been striking for Arnold, who has been roasted by some pundits and fans for a supposed lack of tactical wisdom.

His players say such criticism is unfounded.

"When things don't go well, perceived by the public and all that, there is criticism," captain Mat Ryan said.

"And it's about how you deal with it and how resilient you are.

"And he has been that. What he has gone through and been put through, it has been quite harsh at times.

"But he keeps finding answers."

One of those answers came at halftime against Denmark, who clearly outpointed the Socceroos in the first half at Al Janoub Stadium.

The canny Danes targeted Australia's right-back Milos Degenek, the third player in three games to fill the troublesome defensive slot.

"I won't lie, I am not going to say I didn't get exposed one or two times," Degenek said.

Arnold was quick to find a solution.

"We actually sat down at halftime and Arnie told us in the back four what we should do and how we should deal with it," Degenek said, hailing the coach's composure and clear messaging.

"It's second to none," he said.

"The way he gets his message across makes it so simple for us to understand. It's very clear, very simple.

"He is very calm, which helps. He is not someone that runs in and throws things around and makes it hectic, and then makes you panic even more."