Socceroos coach Graham Arnold will have plenty to ponder after his substitutes, headlined by young gun Jordy Bos, proved the highlight of an otherwise testing opening Asian Cup win over India.
Young left-back/winger Bos, overlooked for Aziz Behich, scored with his first touch after entering the fray as an attacker in the 72nd minute of Saturday’s (Sunday AEDT) opener, the second goal of the laboured 2-0 win in Doha.
The goal was teed up by a mazy run from fellow substitute Riley McGree, while veteran striker Bruno Fornaroli cleverly drew three defenders away from Bos to allow him to score unmarked.
Watch the latest sport on Channel 7 or stream for free on 7plus >>
Arnold was delighted, but not surprised, to see 21-year-old Bos make an impact.
“When you’re a national team coach, you don’t stick to the same players,” Arnold said.
“We’ve only got 12 players here that were at the World Cup. And you have to always look forward and and look to bring younger players through and Jordy Bos is doing well in Belgium.
“He can play left full-back and left winger and he brings a lot to the team. I believe in Australian youth, I really do.
“We’ve got some good quality players coming through. And it’s a great experience for them to be here with some senior players at this Asian Cup.”
The introduction of McGree, Bos, smart-moving Fornaroli and winger Sammy Silvera, offered glimpses of how the Socceroos’ attack can function both smoothly and with bites of unpredictability.
It was a stark contrast to the opening half when Australia lacked incisiveness and creativity in attack and regularly butchered set pieces – normally one of their strengths.
Arnold could well be tempted to start Bos and McGree in attacking roles against Syria next Thursday, especially given how they fared first-up.
For his part, Bos delighted in his early opportunity to shine.
“It was amazing,” he told beIN Sports.
“Obviously, it’s my first Socceroos goal.
“I was hoping for the opportunity to get on today and yeah it just fell to me first touch. So I couldn’t have asked for a better first-up.
“To be fair, I think we played well. We just have to score more goals – just get it in the back of the net.”
