Socceroos Face Setback as Leckie and Italiano Depart World Cup
Australia will head into the World Cup knockout rounds a man light and a little heavier in the heart.
Veteran forward Matthew Leckie and right-back Jacob Italiano have both left the Socceroos camp through injury, trimming Tony Popovic’s squad to 24 for the round of 32.
Leckie picked up a leg injury in the defeat to the USA. Italiano followed him onto the casualty list with a groin problem in training before the draw with Paraguay. Football Australia confirmed the pair have returned to their clubs’ countries to continue rehabilitation.
For Leckie, it feels especially cruel. He had only just dragged himself back from a long-term issue at the end of the A-League season and forced his way into the World Cup squad when few expected it.
Aziz Behich, his teammate at Melbourne City and long-time national team colleague, didn’t hide the emotion.
“I’m gutted for him,” Behich said. He has seen the grind up close — the extra sessions, the lonely hours, the doubts. “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.”
Leckie’s preparation for this tournament had been meticulous. Every drill. Every recovery. Every small detail.
“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,” Behich added. “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.”
The Socceroos lose not just a wide option, but a voice in the dressing room and a player who has lived these tournaments before.
Popovic’s Wide Options Squeezed
On a tactical level, the damage is clear. Australia cannot replace either player in the squad at this stage, leaving Popovic short in the wide areas just as the stakes rise.
Italiano’s absence in particular forces a reshuffle in the back four. The adjustment was already on show against Paraguay. Regular left-back Jordy Bos crossed the pitch to operate on the right, with Behich restored to his familiar role on the left.
It’s a compromise, but not a capitulation.
“(Italiano) worked hard to get himself in this position and I thought he did really well in the games that he played as well,” Behich said, paying tribute to the young full-back who had pushed his way into the picture.
For Behich, this is also personal. Another World Cup, another chance.
“For myself, obviously I came here to play. I put myself in this position as well, to be involved in my third World Cup,” he said. “I’ve been biding my time. I’ve been working hard at training every day and just waiting for my opportunity.”
Two players down, but not downbeat. That’s the message from inside the camp.
“I think we’re in a good headspace. Obviously, two soldiers down, but we’ve got a lot of boys that can cover depth and position.”
Australia will stay in Oakland until July 1 before flying to Dallas for their round-of-32 clash on July 3. The squad is lighter, the margin for error thinner, but the path is clear: adapt, tighten ranks, and find a way to keep this World Cup run alive without two of their trusted wide men.
