Arnold gave up on Messi but now feels like a failure

Australian coach Graham Arnold was proud of his players, asked for more funding from his country’s football authorities and praised Leo Messi and Diego Armando Maradona: “Argentina should be proud to have this caliber.”

“Messi is incredible. One of the best in history and we made a big effort to neutralize him knowing how good a player he is. I had the privilege of playing with Diego Armando Maradona and as a coach against Messi, and Argentina should be proud to have players of this caliber,” said Arnold.

Its continuation, on air and message to the Government

The Australia coach does not yet know if he will continue in charge. “I didn’t think about my future anymore. The contract is about to end, but I was only thinking about the holidays. We worked to achieve all this, the Olympic Games, the World Cup. I didn’t think about it anymore and what I had to do was talk to the Federation” , the coach revealed, that he asked the authorities of his country for funding to provide assistance to Australian football.

“We faced a great team, Messi, the Albiceleste. We had great opportunities and we couldn’t take advantage of them. In Australian football we have a good future and a lot of support. There is a lot of interest in our country and have We expect that we need more funds from the country’s government. That he will give us a house for our football, we need a headquarters, some facilities. That he will finance us for the development of football in the country”, he insisted.

Arnold praised the effort of his players, although he regretted the chances his team missed in the end.

Proud of success even though frustrated today

“I can’t be more proud of my players for all they gave to the entire Australian nation. It’s been a four-year journey. We’re a little sad that we achieved a little more, but I hope the nation is as proud as I am. Because they have done a great job. We wanted Australia to feel followed and that has been achieved”, explained Arnold.

“We have been successful but I still feel that we have failed tonight. I was dying to win for football, for the country. I was not satisfied with this, I wanted more. That’s who I am,” he insisted.

“The players get frustrated because you don’t always play the third best team in the world and world rivals. Before they punished themselves, I told them I was proud of their work. Before they arrived, they all said that we the worst team. That it won’t happen again. To reach the round of 16 for the first time since 2006 is something incredible with such a young squad,” concluded the Australian coach.