Sports / Off the Field |
Australia deny reports of rift at Asian Cup(Reuters)Updated: 2007-07-16 08:54 BANGKOK, July 15 - Australia have denied reports of a major rift in their camp which is threatening to ruin their Asian Cup campaign. Australian newspapers on Sunday quoted an unnamed source within the team saying the squad had been split into two feuding factions. The reports followed an angry outburst by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold, who accused his players of lacking commitment to the tournament after their 3-1 loss to Iraq on Friday. Australia were also held to a 1-1 draw in their opening Group A match against Oman and need to beat co-hosts Thailand on Monday to have any chance of reaching the quarter-finals. Arnold's public criticism of his players prompted a sharp rebuke from his captain Mark Viduka, who told reporters the players had proved their commitment by giving up their annual holidays to compete in the event. Arnold explained to a news conference on Sunday that his comments had been intended to motivate his players and rejected claims the camp was divided. "I said that as a challenge to the players. Some players have said they need to take responsibility for their own performances," Arnold said. "I've spoken behind closed doors about it and the players have accepted it. "Everyone's pride is hurting, the whole team, as well as my own. There's a lot of frustration but we're definitely capable of going a lot further in this tournament." Liverpool forward Harry Kewell also dismissed suggestions of a row within the team. Kewell admitted the players were not performing at their best but said it was not from any lack of effort. "I've been in the Australian team for over 10 years and in my ten years experience I have never seen one bit of a rift," Kewell said. "We've got such a team bonding, we get on well with each other and every manager we've had we've respected and we've played the way he's wanted us to play. "I think the only people you can blame are the players. We're working hard, we're trying our best but it's just not coming off at the moment."
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