Australia’s build-up to a crunch World Cup qualifier this week suffered a setback Sunday when coach Graham Arnold tested positive for Covid-19 and was forced into isolation, IgbereTV reports.
The Socceroos face Vietnam in Melbourne on Thursday with Arnold’s deputy, former Manchester United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen, taking the reins.
Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said no one else in the set-up had failed a test so far.
“Graham and the Socceroos staff have sacrificed a lot over the past year to guide the team on a qualification campaign in the middle of a pandemic,” Johnson said, with Australia forced to play all their home games so far overseas.
“So it is extremely unfortunate that on the eve of this important home qualifying match Graham has returned his first positive Covid result.
“We are pleased that our thorough protocols picked up this result early so that the risk of infection to players and staff leading into match week was controlled
