Australia have been hit with a big blow as injured pair Mathew Leckie and Jacob Italiano have been sent home from the World Cup.
Socceroos boss Tony Popovic will be unable to call up any replacements, as per FIFA rules, meaning he will have a squad of 24 players to pick from for their Round of 32 clash in Dallas next Saturday morning AEST.
Tszyu v Spence Jr. | Sunday July 26 from 11am AEST | Tim Tszyu takes on the biggest name in his career so far – future hall-of-famer Errol Spence Jr, in a can’t miss event for boxing fans around the world. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Leckie and Italiano missed Friday’s draw with Paraguay which clinched second position in Group D and a knockout birth for the third time in Socceroos history.
Leckie hobbled off in the second half against the USA with a hamstring injury, while Italiano was ruled out in the lead-up to the Paraguay clash after sustaining an adductor injury in training.
Speaking to reporters at their Oakland training base this morning, veteran Aziz Behich, who replaced Italiano in the starting XI, said he was shattered for his Melbourne City teammate Leckie.
The 35-year-old missed most of the A-League season with injury but clawed his back into the national squad for the first time in two years after winning a race against the clock to return to full fitness.
“I’m gutted for him,” Behich said.
“I saw first-hand this year what he had to do to get back on that pitch for us at Melbourne City and then what he did in Sarasota (in the pre-camp).
“As soon as we finished that Auckland game (the A-League Elimination Final), he played 120 minutes and flew two days later to get to Sarasota to prove himself to the boss and the coaching staff.
“So, he left no stone unturned and it’s a credit to him. It’s not easy, not just physically, but also mentally at his age as well.
“It’s obviously part of football. We’re all gutted for him because we want him to stick around because we know what he can give us as a team. And even when he’s not playing his experience and presence around a lot of the players.
“We’re gutted for him, but, it’s all part of football. He wished us all well and he said he’ll be following. A legend guy and he’s given everything to be here and help us.”
Leckie and Italiano will return to their respective clubs to complete their rehabilitation.
Italiano, who plays in the Austrian Bundesliga for Grazer AK, impressed at right wing back against Turkiye and the USA.
The 24-year-old’s injury opened the door for Behich, however.
The 35-year-old in his third World Cup earned his first start of the tournament against Paraguay.
Behich occupied his preferred left wing back position as Jordy Bos switched flanks to much acclaim.
The news that Italiano’s tournament is over was bittersweet for Behich.
“Jakey worked hard to get himself in this position and I thought he did really well in the games that he played as well,” he said.
“For myself, obviously I came here to play. I put myself in this position as well to be involved in my third World Cup. I got to Sarasota to push my claims to play and I’ve been biding my time, I’ve been working hard at training every day and just waiting for my opportunity and I got that last night.
“So I’ll be doing the same coming this week leading into the game, just about putting my head down to work, give the boss a headache.
“But at end of the day, for me, it’s just about being professional and staying ready and doing my bit for the team.
“I think we’re in a good headspace. Obviously, two soldiers down, but we’ve got a lot of boys that can come, can cover depth and position,” Behich added.
Goalkeeper Patrick Beach also fronted the media this morning with the 22-year-old also feeling sorry for his Socceroos teammates.
“The squad is so tight here and close together, especially being together for at least six weeks now,” the Melbourne City shot stopper said.
“We formed a really strong bond as a team and as a family. So, it’s never great to see two of your squad members have to go home for reasons they can’t control.”
READ MORE
WC LIVE — Arnie’s brutal World Cup end as 25-min hat-trick stuns in ‘really scary’ statement
TALKING PTS — Aussie superstar in making’s PL statement; 18yo wunderkind stuns
SCENARIOS — The heavyweight who ‘Roos could play next… and unthinkable 7% scenario still alive
Sooceroos QUALIFY after intense draw | 02:26
BEACH RESPONDS TO HILARIOUS NAME CHANGE
Patrick Beach was taken a back when asked about Melbourne’s St Kilda Beach being renamed after him for the remainder of the World Cup.
The 22-year-old grew up in Sydney but has made his way with Melbourne City before stepping onto the global stage with the Socceroos.
“It is very much appreciated, and I think it’s pretty funny as well,” Beach told reporters.
“It’s great to see the country is getting around it, we definitely feel the love and support here from back home,” he added.
“All of us players and staff we see the support from the nation, we see the video of Fed Squad, the crowds in Sydney and Brisbane and all over.”
Beach said he has been down to St Kilda on multiple occasions and described the hot spot as “nice and relaxing”.
His Melbourne City and Socceroos teammate Aziz Behich thought it was a joke.
“I wouldn’t want that,” he said with a chuckle.
When told it had actually happened he replied: “Hopefully they cleaned it up a bit”.
City of Port Phillip Mayor Alex Makin said: “What’s better than one iconic beach? Two — especially when one is named after a World Cup player. With the Socceroos progressing to the next round, this is a great way for our community to show its support.”
“This is about getting behind the Socceroos and sharing in the excitement of the World Cup at home. Renaming St Kilda Beach is a uniquely local way to celebrate the team and embrace the global energy right here in Port Phillip.”
READ MORE
WC DAILY — ‘Sorry guys, we won’: USA coach unloads; teammates in training spat
Socceroos Ratings — Popa masterstroke as big changes stun; crucial WC solution emerges
‘Now you ask me again…’: Question behind tense Popa reply as Socceroos coach hits back
‘WORRY’ POPOVIC MUST FIX
The big question on everyone’s lips ahead of the Socceroos’ Round of 32 match is: where will the goal/s come from?
Tony Popovic’s side have not scored since Connor Metcalfe doubled their lead in the second half against Türkiye.
There were positive signs with Cristian Volpato and Jordy Bos tag teaming well on the right-hand side against Paraguay.
But Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers and former Socceroo Robbie Slater wants to see more attacking threats.
“Up front is a bit of a worry when we’re looking at Jordy Bos as one of the most threatening (for Australia),” he said on Stan Sport’s Added Time.
As he was in the second half against the USA, Nestory Irankunda was redeployed as a lone striker against Paraguay.
The 20-year-old scored his goal against Turkiye from the right wing, but with Metcalfe, Volpato and Irankunda looking like Australia’s most dangerous front three, Popovic was forced into a rethink.
It even caught the former Bayern Munich, now Watford forward by surprise.
“I had no idea. It was kind of like last minute for me,” Irankunda told reporters post-game.
“But you know, we’ve got how many nines – Mo (Toure), Tete (Yengi).
“So it was a bit of a surprise for me when I got told I was going to be starting up front as a nine, and I didn’t expect it.
“But playing for the country, I always have to try my best and play my heart out.”
Popovic has been willing to ring the changes every game so far, but former Celtic and Socceroo striker Scott McDonald has his concerns about the manager’s call to go away from Norwich goalscoring machine Mohamed Toure.
“There is a problem in terms of the No.9. Not bringing Toure on instead of Tete Yengi tells me today that there’s no trust there,” he replied to Slater.
“Does he go and start him (Toure) out of the blue in the next game? You just can’t tell with Tony. But as a striker, being Toure, I don’t like that. That doesn’t fill me with confidence that my coach trusts me.
“No matter who we put up there, it’s a thankless task up there. Look at Nestory (on Friday), he had very little and was living off scraps.
“But also when he plays up top, we don’t have a box outlet. Jordy Bos playing on the right-hand side was brilliant and it gave us that outlet.”
If Irankunda is to continue leading the line for Australia, McDonald had some words of advice after he battled against Paraguay’s three centre backs.
“Look, he’s gotta hold it up a little bit better,” he said.
“I think at times he struggled because it’s not his natural game. But if there are some players getting closer to you, then what are you meant to do? He wants to get in those wider areas and drift but with the way Paraguay were set up as well with the back three, it is very hard for him to get down the sides of the opposition. There was no space.
“They were aware of his threat also, with three taking care of him. But he probably sometimes needs to be more in central positions and wait for things to happen.
“As we see the best strikers in the world – like Erling Haaland – they’re not interested any more. They just get into the right areas and allow others and trust others to do the dirty work then get on the end of things.
“That’s not naturally probably where (Irankunda) thinks. He wants to be the guy creating that and doing things, getting on the edge of the box and having shots. So if you’re gonna play that role, you just need to play it a little bit more smarter and be a bit more patient.
“I didn’t like it either. I mean, for the majority of my career it was always you played off the big man or whatever.
“But I’ve always said it, if you can head it, you’ve got a better chance of being a No.9 for the Socceroos. It’s as simple as that.”
Thousands gather to watch Socceroos draw | 01:32
HOW AUSSIES CAN BE KNOCKOUT THREAT
The Socceroos are confident that they can win a World Cup knockout game for the first time regardless of who their opponent turns out to be.
Midfielder Jackson Irvine, playing in his third World Cup, was recalled to the starting line-up against Paraguay and after an impressive display told reporters that they have shown the qualities throughout the tournament to win in the Round of 32.
“We’ve got to bring probably everything that we’ve seen from the first three games, all together,” Irvine said.
“The start today and against Turkey, the defensive strength that we’ve shown when we have to be deep, but also today when we’re able to play higher up and press a little bit more as well.
“If we can bring it all, bring it all together, all the little bits that we’ve shown over these three games, make sure we complete it, put in a complete performance, and we’re a problem for any team.”
Socceroos boss Tony Popovic is welcoming the added break his team will receive as a result of finishing second in the group.
Instead of waiting until next Saturday morning AEST to play their knockout tie, the Socceroos would have had to have fronted up midweek if they finished third and made it through.
“Obviously, there’ll be a lot of recovery for these younger players,” Popovic said.
“We only think that it’s three games and six days between each one, but the intensity and the level of these games, our players are not accustomed to it.
“So we get the benefit [of a longer turnaround] maybe more than bigger nations, where they can back up every three or four days. For us, these eight days not only prepare us for that game, but, if we can somehow get through, we may be able to be ready for a shorter turnaround following that.
“We’re delighted to have this break, and we have a plan in place to have all players that are fit, ready, and able to produce a big performance that might give us a chance to progress even further.”