Poletti 
Kye Rowles celebrates scoring a goal against Lebanon during the second round of World Cup qualification in Sydney. Photo: Aleksandar Jason/Subway Socceroos
Graham Arnold says that the Gold Coast local will be in the game from the start, despite a late arrival in camp, saying that Rowles is fit, healthy, and ready for anything.
“I think it’s very important, not only for the national team, but also for his family as well,” Arnold said.
“It’s not often you get that opportunity to play in front of where your family and friends from where you come from.
“Kye’s done a fantastic job for us over the years, and he’ll continue to do so.”
The match will mark the first time the Socceroos have played on the Gold Coast at Robina Stadium, which was once home to A-Leagues side Gold Coast United, and is set to host football matches during the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
As home to the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL, there is always a concern about pitch quality with shared stadiums, but with the Titans having played their last home game two weeks ago, and only four NRL matches since the start of July, the pitch looked in great form ahead of the match.
Arnold praised the stadium, saying that having a rectangular stadium was fantastic.
“And a full house is even better, [it’s] the 12th man for us,” Arnold said.
“I know the boys are excited to get on the pitch and play and I’m excited to see them get on the pitch and play.
“The energy the boys have come into camp with so far has been fantastic. It’s just like a family, it catches up together and they all get on so well and that’s very important.”
With a very tough group to navigate, which includes regional heavyweights Japan and Saudi Arabia, Arnold said that the aim and the goal out of this window is to claim the six points on offer.
“Yeah, it probably would be [a disappointment not to get all six points,” he said.
“But at the same time, we’ve got 10 games to play, and the internal goal is direct qualification, but three out of five World Cups this century we’ve qualified for has been in [the] play-offs.
“For me, the most important thing is to qualify for the World Cup.”