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But Arnold's Socceroos made a mockery of that reputation, putting five goals past them with consummate ease - the same number as Oman had conceded in their previous 15 matches in total.
It's not often coaches have a smile on their face after such a disastrous loss, especially when it comes just a few days out from a major tournament.
The dream team: Graham Arnold and Pim Verbeek, back when they were working together with the Socceroos.Credit:Tim Clayton
However, Dutchman Verbeek still has an undeniable soft spot for Arnold, if not Australia too.
"Arnie was always a fantastic friend, first of all, and as a coach he was the ideal man beside me because he knows football very well," Verbeek said.
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"He was in Europe, he was working already with big coaches, but now of course he did very well with Central Coast, winning the league, he did very well with Sydney.
"You can see the way [the Socceroos] are playing. That's the way Arnie likes to play football - attacking, hard working.
"I'm very proud of him. I was proud of him before the game already. I've always been proud of him and I really hope he will be successful."
Verbeek suspects he will be, having come away hugely impressed with some of the more recent additions to the Socceroos team.
None of the five goalscorers – Andrew Nabbout, Chris Ikonomidis, Awer Mabil, Milos Degenek and Jackson Irvine – were even playing professionally when Verbeek was coach of Australia and all of them are aged 26 or below.
"They brought in some new, fresh legs ... some players I have never heard of and they did very well," he said.
"All credit to Arnie and his staff and also to the team as well."
Fresh blood: Andrew Nabbout scored the opener for Australia against Oman.Credit:AAP
The Socceroos open their Asian Cup defence on Sunday against Jordan in Al Ain.
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Verbeek has some advice for them, as well as the other group B teams Palestine and Syria, if they want to avoid the same troubles Oman had against Australia.
"Don't give free kicks away and corner kicks - that's one, because they are too strong with that," he said.
"Keep the ball in the team more than we did.
"We gave the ball too easily away - also the credit for Australia, of course, they put us under pressure but if you lose the ball so easily, that will be a moment they will attack and attack and they will create chances and score goals."
Vince is a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.