Harry Kewell says Graham Arnold’s young World Cup Socceroos can surpass celebrated 2006 squad

Kewell, arguably Australia’s greatest ever player and on a coaching path he hopes will one day lead to consideration for the Socceroos job, loves what he sees from Graham Arnold’s young group.

“I see something in this squad,” Kewell told CODE Sports in Doha, where he has been commentating for SBS. “It actually looks like they have a good crop of players which could surpass the 2006 group.”

It’s a big call, but Kewell has as much authority as anyone to judge. He was the figurehead of the celebrated Golden Generation; the only Socceroos squad to advance out of the group stage of a World Cup, in Germany 16 years ago.

His assessment is not based solely on this World Cup, but also looking ahead to the 2026 edition, when many of the current squad will be reaching their prime.

“This group is not done here, but what is growing are some good little players,” Kewell said after analysing all the Socceroos qualifiers and the Peru playoff.

“Let’s not get carried away, we’re not Argentina, we’re not Brazil. We’re Australia. I thought in the Tunisia game we played to our strengths, and it was excellent. First time in my life I’d give every single player man of the match.”

Kewell doesn’t sugar coat matters. He called the France loss “poor” but was impressed that the bright 20 minutes against the world champions turned into a whole game performance against Tunisia that showcased all the ingredients required for success at a World Cup.

“Everyone did their job individually. They were strong. They were powerful,” Kewell said. “We looked to play in behind them, even though there wasn’t enough play in behind them for my liking. We looked to play in our final third.

“When we try to play out from the back, we’re not good enough yet. When we stuck to what we were good at, we were excellent.”

He has his own, very specific, team rating.

“I’d give them an 8.7 out of 10,” Kewell continued. “Only reason it’s not a nine: they didn’t score the second goal. I just hope they can continue it.”

Denmark plan

Thursday’s game against Denmark marks the first time the Socceroos have had control of their own Round of 16 destiny since 2006.

It was Kewell, famously, who scored the goal that sent Australia into the knockout stages for the first and only time. And while that night against Croatia in Stuttgart is remembered for the sheer chaos that unfolded, Kewell can clearly remember how simple the preparation was made by Guus Hiddink.

“We looked at the game and we felt confident in ourselves,” Kewell recalled. “Hiddink knew what to do. We just went and did our jobs. No different to these players.”

Hiddink’s disciple, Arnold, is currently hatching a similarly clear plan to beat the Danes.

Kewell is right behind him.

“We’ve had our moments in the past but we’re good friends now,” Kewell said of Arnold. “I take my hat off to him. Tough gig, so much criticism and I feel for him. [I am] so happy that he’s put himself in this position, and hopefully he can take advantage of this and go to that next level because of all the stick he’s had.”

Kewell believes Arnold should not change a thing from the Tunisia triumph for Thursday’s (AEDT) showdown with the Danes.

“Don’t win the battle, especially the midfield battle, no chance of winning the game,” is Kewell’s simple judgment.

“Jackson (Irvine) has been aggressive, leaving tackles in, it’s great. Aaron [Mooy is] doing that as well. Win the second ball, get it, move it quickly and go forward.

“It’s going to be difficult, Denmark is a fantastic team. Give time and space, anyone can destroy you, we’ve got to be in their faces, the ugly side of football.”

Coaching Socceroos

Kewell loves talking about, and watching football, always keen to learn more. During our chat, Morocco is on the way to an upset over Belgium, and every big moment pauses the conversation for an investigation into how it happened.

Kewell’s enthusiasm has shone through in a brief stint calling the France and Tunisia games for SBS, his first major tournament behind the microphone.

“Yes I did [enjoy it]. I was nervous,” Kewell said. “I would like to do more, and it’s actually nice to see it as in the media. It’s a tough gig.

“Maybe we should get the players to travel just once with the media, because you do all your research, and then players just blow past you!”

Kewell won’t be in commentary for the Denmark game for a good reason.

He has a day job.

Kewell is assistant to Ange Postecoglou at Celtic. He only got into Doha on the morning of the France game, and has to depart as Celtic are off to Portugal for a training camp ahead of the season restart after the World Cup.

“I’ve been professional my whole life, [and] the opportunity [Postecoglou] has given me, that thought [of extending his agreed time in Doha] never crossed my mind,” Kewell said.

“He’s a fantastic guy, and what he’s doing at Celtic is something different.”

Kewell is loving life at Celtic, enjoying the challenge of passing on everything he learnt over a career at the top. A key part of his job is to help Celtic’s attacking players with their movements and decision making.

“It needs to be taught. Even I have players at Celtic who still need to be taught,” Kewell continued. “I needed it when I was playing. Remember when I was 30, and Frank Rijkaard used to pull me aside and talk to me about my movement patterns. I was like, ‘Damn!’”

Kewell sees the areas Socceroos such as Awer Mabil and Garang Kuol can evolve.

“Their movement is poor,” Kewell said in a way that suggests he’d love time on the training pitch to help them. “Everyone’s got something, but you have to be able to spend time picking out these things.”

Kewell would love to be back at another World Cup commentating, but there’s another gig, deep down, that would mean the world to him.

The Socceroos job.

“Why not? Everyone else puts their hand up!,” Kewell quipped. “Of course, people turn around and say, ‘He doesn’t have experience.’ I think my results [in the UK] were OK.

“I’m working [at Celtic] with our greatest ever manager. I’m learning from the best, so why not?”