Long lost football Ashes to go on the line when Socceroos take on New Zealand after trophy was unearthed after going missing for almost 70 years
- Socceroos tackle New Zealand in Brentford, 5.45am Wednesday AEDT
- Trans-Tasman rivals are playing for the coveted 'Soccer Ashes'
- Trophy re-discovered in Sydney garage this year after 69 years
Having seen his players put in a bold, battling but ultimately unrewarded performance at Wembley Stadium a few days ago against England, Graham Arnold now wants the Socceroos to take home a memento of Antipodean history from their London double-header.
Australia meet New Zealand at English Premier League side Brentford's ground on Tuesday night (Wednesday, 5:45am AEDT) and the 'Soccer Ashes' are at stake.
That is the century-old, recently rediscovered 'Soccer Ashes' trophy.
Created in 1923, a year after the sport's first trans-Tasman matches, it was contested until the mid-1950s when it dropped off the radar.
The trophy was found this year, in near-pristine condition, in the garage of a deceased former Australian soccer official and will be up for grabs in west London.
![The Socceroos (defender Harry Souttar is pictured, right) will look to secure the 'Soccer Ashes' when they tackle New Zealand in Brentford on Wednesday from 5.45am AEST](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/17/00/76635009-12637937-image-m-12_1697498545334.jpg)
The Socceroos (defender Harry Souttar is pictured, right) will look to secure the 'Soccer Ashes' when they tackle New Zealand in Brentford on Wednesday from 5.45am AEST
![The trophy - previously missing since 1954 - was discovered earlier this year in a Sydney garage, and featured ashes of cigars smoked by Alex Gibb and George Campbell, the first football captains of Australia and New Zealand](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/17/00/76635029-12637937-image-a-13_1697498568538.jpg)
The trophy - previously missing since 1954 - was discovered earlier this year in a Sydney garage, and featured ashes of cigars smoked by Alex Gibb and George Campbell, the first football captains of Australia and New Zealand
Like cricket's Ashes urn it is, by modern standards, a small and unusual prize. A wooden casket made of Australian maple and New Zealand honeysuckle, it contains a safety razor case that had been carried at the Gallipoli landings.
Inside that are the ashes of cigars smoked by the two captains - Alex Gibb and George Campbell - in the 1923 matches.
'It's hugely inspiring,' Arnold said. 'I showed the video today to the players, for them to understand the history. It's the first time in 70 years it's been played for, so there is big meaning to this.'
While the video may have struck a chord, for many of Arnold's men there is another prize to play for: a place in the team.
'You'll see some changes, not wholesale changes. It's my last chance to look at some of the players,' said the Socceroos boss, who with a full squad to choose from says he is now getting welcome 'selection headaches'.
'It's a chance for players to show me what they've got ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in November, and the Asian Cup in January.'
Arnold also wants a win. He said Gareth Southgate complimented him on Australia's positive approach, which the England boss said they rarely encountered at Wembley and set them up for their European Championship qualifier against Italy, also on Tuesday.
That was not much consolation for Arnold, who shouted himself hoarse trying to compete with the voices of 80,000 fans.
![The Socceroos are expected to slightly tinker with their starting XI after playing England at Wembley on October 13 (pictured right, Craig Goodwin)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/17/00/76634979-12637937-image-a-14_1697498632688.jpg)
The Socceroos are expected to slightly tinker with their starting XI after playing England at Wembley on October 13 (pictured right, Craig Goodwin)
![Coach Graham Arnold is also working towards the Asian Cup in January (pictured, winger Martin Boyle)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/17/00/76634967-12637937-image-m-16_1697498707175.jpg)
Coach Graham Arnold is also working towards the Asian Cup in January (pictured, winger Martin Boyle)
'I wasn't happy with the result,' he rasped, huskily. 'My expectations of the boys is to win games and we had the chances to win it.'
New Zealand arrive in London from Spain, where they played out a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday night.
A last-minute penalty from Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood secured the draw and Arnold is aware that the Premier League veteran represents the All Whites main threat.
New manager Darren Bazeley has, according to Arnold, 'changed the style and system, but we know what their shape is like and will make sure they are ready for them.'
To date, Australia have won 42 of the 66 Trans-Tasman meetings, including the last six matches during which the Socceroos have conceded only once.
This will be their second meeting versus the Kiwis in London, having previously played at Fulham's Craven Cottage in 2005.
Australia won that encounter 1-0 in front of 9,023 fans, with Simon Colosimo scoring a late winner.