If Australia successfully defend their Asian Cup title in the United Arab Emirates, two people will be quietly celebrating behind the scenes: a self-styled 'coach-whisperer' and the team's in-house mind guru.
Coach Graham Arnold is an adherent of Bradley Charles Stubbs, the colourful motivator who has worked with several big names including Wallabies handler Michael Cheika and England's Eddie Jones.
Meanwhile Mike Conway, one-time managing director of Australian children's band The Wiggles, is on hand as the Socceroos "emotional agility and mental coach" during the tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
It's perhaps no coincidence that positive vibrations have been a feature of the Australian campaign -- even to the extent of grating on the opposition.
Arnold was accused of arrogance after his bold assertion that Australia "expect to win" their opening game against Jordan -- a fixture they lost 1-0.
But Arnold, 55, was merely quoting from a Stubbs mantra, which holds that unwavering self-belief is the key to success.
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Long-time observers say the formerly gruff coach is far more relaxed and open since he started working with Stubbs during his time at Sydney FC, where he won the 2016-17 A-League title with only one loss.
Similar results followed Stubbs' work with Cheika, who unexpectedly took Australia to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, and Jones, who led England to a Six Nations clean sweep in 2016.
- 'Tap into the universe' -
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"Even in training, the encouragement does help and it does add to that confidence that you've got."
"There's pressure on us, there was pressure on me to get my goal and to really kick on and Mike's been a big help."
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