<\/p>\n
Australia have been hit with a big blow as injured pair Mathew Leckie and Jacob Italiano have been sent home from the World Cup.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Tszyu v Spence Jr. | Sunday July 26 from 11am AEST | Tim Tszyu takes on the biggest name in his career so far \u2013 future hall-of-famer Errol Spence Jr, in a can\u2019t miss event for boxing fans around the world. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports<\/a>.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n Leckie and Italiano missed Friday\u2019s draw with Paraguay which clinched second position in Group D and a knockout birth for the third time in Socceroos history.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gutted for him,\u201d Behich said.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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).<\/p>\n \u201cAs 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.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, he left no stone unturned and it\u2019s a credit to him. It\u2019s not easy, not just physically, but also mentally at his age as well.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s obviously part of football. We\u2019re 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\u2019s not playing his experience and presence around a lot of the players.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re gutted for him, but, it\u2019s all part of football. He wished us all well and he said he\u2019ll be following. A legend guy and he\u2019s given everything to be here and help us.\u201d<\/p>\n Leckie and Italiano will return to their respective clubs to complete their rehabilitation.<\/p>\n Italiano, who plays in the Austrian Bundesliga for Grazer AK, impressed at right wing back against Turkiye and the USA.<\/p>\n The 24-year-old\u2019s injury opened the door for Behich, however.<\/p>\n The 35-year-old in his third World Cup earned his first start of the tournament against Paraguay.<\/p>\n Behich occupied his preferred left wing back position as Jordy Bos switched flanks to much acclaim.<\/p>\n The news that Italiano\u2019s tournament is over was bittersweet for Behich.<\/p>\n \u201cJakey worked hard to get himself in this position and I thought he did really well in the games that he played as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cFor 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\u2019ve been biding my time, I\u2019ve been working hard at training every day and just waiting for my opportunity and I got that last night.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I\u2019ll be doing the same coming this week leading into the game, just about putting my head down to work, give the boss a headache.<\/p>\n \u201cBut at end of the day, for me, it\u2019s just about being professional and staying ready and doing my bit for the team.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019re in a good headspace. Obviously, two soldiers down, but we\u2019ve got a lot of boys that can come, can cover depth and position,\u201d Behich added.<\/p>\n Goalkeeper Patrick Beach also fronted the media this morning with the 22-year-old also feeling sorry for his Socceroos teammates. <\/p>\n \u201cThe squad is so tight here and close together, especially being together for at least six weeks now,\u201d the Melbourne City shot stopper said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe formed a really strong bond as a team and as a family. So, it\u2019s never great to see two of your squad members have to go home for reasons they can\u2019t control.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n WC LIVE \u2014 Arnie\u2019s brutal World Cup end as 25-min hat-trick stuns in \u2018really scary\u2019 statement<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n TALKING PTS \u2014 Aussie superstar in making\u2019s PL statement; 18yo wunderkind stuns<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n SCENARIOS \u2014 The heavyweight who \u2018Roos could play next… and unthinkable 7% scenario still alive<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Sooceroos QUALIFY after intense draw | 02:26<\/p>\n BEACH RESPONDS TO HILARIOUS NAME CHANGE<\/b><\/p>\n Patrick Beach was taken a back when asked about Melbourne\u2019s St Kilda Beach being renamed after him for the remainder of the World Cup.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is very much appreciated, and I think it\u2019s pretty funny as well,\u201d Beach told reporters.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s great to see the country is getting around it, we definitely feel the love and support here from back home,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cAll 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Beach said he has been down to St Kilda on multiple occasions and described the hot spot as \u201cnice and relaxing\u201d.<\/p>\n His Melbourne City and Socceroos teammate Aziz Behich thought it was a joke.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t want that,\u201d he said with a chuckle.<\/p>\n When told it had actually happened he replied: \u201cHopefully they cleaned it up a bit\u201d.<\/p>\n City of Port Phillip Mayor Alex Makin said: \u201cWhat\u2019s better than one iconic beach? Two \u2014 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.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n WC DAILY \u2014 \u2018Sorry guys, we won\u2019: USA coach unloads; teammates in training spat<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Socceroos Ratings \u2014 Popa masterstroke as big changes stun; crucial WC solution emerges<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n