Aussie coach heaps praise on Socceroo stand-ins

SYDNEY, Aug 17 (Reuters) Coach Graham Arnold has showered praise on the cast of understudies that helped Australia become the first side to qualify for the 2007 Asian Cup finals.

Missing all the Europe-based players that helped them reach the second round of the World Cup, Australia booked their place in the finals with a 2-0 victory over Kuwait yesterday thanks to second-half goals from Travis Dodd and Sasho Petrovski.

Arnold, temporarily in charge for the Asian Cup qualifying campaign, praised the team's efforts in the face of a determined Kuwait defence and singled out veteran captain Kevin Muscat.

''Muscat in the middle of defence was outstanding, organised the side for me, that's why I brought him back,'' Arnold told reporters.

Muscat, who was making his first appearance since last year's Confederations Cup, had to be coaxed into coming back, he added. ''I had to talk hard to get him to play again and I had to convince him, probably with the armband, to get him on the field,'' Arnold said.

The 33-year-old Muscat, who earned his 51st cap, said he was delighted with the performance and hoped he would retain his place when the likes of Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Viduka were available.

''A lot has happened in the last six months, it was a massive disappointment for me (to miss the World Cup).

''It's not often you get to represent your country in your chosen sport and this was an opportunity for me and a massive challenge.'' REUTERS PM SSC1241