Amini claims Arnold’s ‘cleverness’ will give Socceroos winning edge

Graham Arnold’s “cleverness” is what can set him apart as a Socceroos coach, according to AFC Asian Cup hopeful Mustafa Amini.

The Denmark-based midfielder was given his senior debut by Arnold with Central Coast Mariners back in 2010, and knows intimately the motivational and tactical methods that have been the hallmark of Arnold’s genesis as a coach.

Two-cap Amini, 25, missed out on 2018 FIFA World Cup selection but was a part of Arnold’s first training camp in his second coming as Australia coach in Turkey earlier this month.

Amini’s reunion with Arnold, 55, only confirmed what he has known all along, as he did his utmost to impress his former Central Coast Mariners mentor.

“There’s no doubt he’s the right one for the job because he has the track record to prove it,” he said.

“He’s dominated during his time in the A-League and I think he’ll just bring that extra cleverness to the Socceroos.

“He’s as adaptable to every situation, whatever needs to be tweaked during the course of a game.

“Tactically he’s right up there and won’t just stick to one rigid style of play.

“I think you’ll see his combination with assistant coach Rene Meulensteen will work really well.”

There was a tinge of nostalgia for Amini in reacquainting himself with the man who set his career in motion.

“I know Arnie from way back ... he’s the one who gave me my debut and I know how he works,” Amini said.

“That’s of course an advantage but it’s always down to how you perform at the end of the day.

“He’s a proven winner: you saw what he did on a tiny budget with the Mariners in winning the league on a team on minimum wage.

“And then he killed at Sydney FC in winning back-to-back premierships and nearly going undefeated.

“He broke records at Sydney and gave starts to players like myself, Mitchell Duke, Trent Sainsbury and Tom Rogic at the Mariners.”

With Arnold’s proven ability to both identify and then harness the latent talent in young players, Amini has no doubt in which direction the Socceroos are heading in as Arnold fine tunes preparations for January’s Asian Cup with friendlies against the likes of Kuwait, Lebanon and South Korea.

“It was great working on to Arnie again. He can see what he’s bringing and and I know, I don’t think, it will be a great four years cycle leading into the future.

“He’s not afraid to experiment and looking at some of the young boys he brought into camp, John Iredale and Denis Genreau for example, shows how he’s thinking.

“These players are working their trade overseas and hopefully will make careers for themselves.

“I’ve always believed in Australian football and with Arnold coming I know the results will come.”

Amini has started eight of eighth-placed AGF’s nine Superliga games this season, and says he’s feeling on top of his game.

But he knows the learning curve is always steep, with former Manchester United assistant coach Meulensteen taking him and his fellow midfielders aside in Turkey and using the great Paul Scholes as example as where they need to aspire to be.

“Rene was telling us how Scholsy was and what he did that was different to others, and he and Arnie challenge you.”

Amini, who was part of six qualifiers under Ange Postecoglou, hasn’t dwelt long on missing Russia.

“Hopefully I’ve caught Arnie’s eye now and I just have to be ready and hope I’m part of the next camp (for October’s trip to Kuwait),” he added.

“We’ve got a strong midfield with the likes of Aaron Mooy, Mile Jedinak, Massimo Luongo, Jackson Irvine and Tom Rogic.

“But I consider myself to be there as well.

“I’ve just got to keep proving myself week-in week-out with my club.”