'Young man's game' - Aussie boss backs youthful Roos at Asian Cup

Australia's coach said his young Socceroos had the energy and verve to spring a surprise at the Asian Cup after injuries and retirements forced the defending champions into major changes.

Graham Arnold said last year's World Cup, where teenage French striker Kylian Mbappe ran riot, showed football was a "young man's game" and that he expected his players to prove it by beating Jordan in their opening game on Sunday.

"Pressure is just a word," said Arnold, who has been hit by injuries to key players Aaron Mooy, Daniel Arzani and Scottish-born Martin Boyle ahead of Australia's title defence in the United Arab Emirates.

"We have the utmost belief and confidence in what we're doing. Yes, four years ago is a long, long time. Mile Jedinak, Timmy Cahill and ex-players have retired and moved on, this is football," he said on Saturday.

"We have great depth in our squad, new players coming in, young players. Young players have energy, young players have enthusiasm, and I believe that the game of football is becoming a young man's game.

"I think that showed at the World Cup just past, and if you have young players with that type of energy and can play at a very high level for 90 minutes and that's what I expect tomorrow."
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