Fans were hoping desperately for something different,some of them barracking for a long-awaited opportunity to exact revenge onIran for what happened at the MCG in 1997,others seduced by the danger factor ofa possible away day in Pyongyang. The Socceroos still have not met Iran or North Korea at senior men’s level despite being in the same confederation for 18 years,and the wait will now be that little bit longer.

“It is what it is,” Arnold said.

“Logistically it could have been much,much harder. We’ve got some good opponents,but the full focus has to be on ourselves. The boys have had the experience of playing in these countries before,which is good. We know what to expect. Could be much worse.”

The top two teams from each the three groups in this phase will confirm their spots at the 2026 World Cup in the United States,Canada and Mexico. The good news is that – such is the format – the Socceroos could lose their two matches against Japan (as,respectfully,most people assume they would) and still qualify from Group C,so long as they can do a job on everyone else. It’s worth remembering,too,that the last campaign was wrecked to a large degree by COVID,which made home matches in Australia impossible at some times and ruled out players indiscriminately at others.

When FIFA announced the World Cup would be expanding from 32 to 48 teams,and Asia going from 4.5 direct slots to 8.5,it seemed as if all the tension would be drained from Australia’s qualification campaigns. It still may be that the Socceroos will continue their streak of World Cup appearances for a long time to come. And it would still be a huge scandal if somehow they don’t make it to 2026,especially since there will be two more spots up for grabs in the AFC’s fourth qualifying round,and then another chance through the intercontinental play-offs after that.

But in the last two cycles,Australia has finished third behind Japan and Saudi Arabia,forcing them into the play-offs to get to Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. They have not passed the final eight of an Asian Cup since winning it in 2015,so recent history suggests it should not be a cakewalk,that it should be a bit of a struggle,even with the expansion of the World Cup.

Are the Socceroos actually better side these days,or are we just hoping they are? Do they really have greater depth? All these new young kids in the team are exciting,but what are they really made of? How much has Arnold really learned from previous experiences?

The next 12 months,and the intense crucible of World Cup qualification,will provide the answers.