City star's Socceroos hopes hit by fresh injury
Leckie won the Joe Marston Medal as player of the match in City's 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory on Saturday night, despite having his nose splattered across his face after copping an accidental boot early in the second half.
A battered Leckie confirmed after his heroic performance that he had been called up - for the first time under Tony Popovic - for crunch World Cup qualifiers against Japan in Perth on June 5 and against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah five days later.
But the 2022 World Cup hero is now unlikely to go - between both requiring assessment on his face in Melbourne on Monday and a fresh soft tissue injury.
The 34-year-old revealed he had suffered a hamstring injury on Tuesday and had carried it into Saturday's decider, when he starred at defensive midfield - showcasing his grit and versatility.
"I was selected for the national team but now I'm not sure. There's a good chance I won't go because of this," he said.
"But also on Tuesday, I hurt my hamstring, so I basically played with a strained hamstring.
"It was minor but we didn't get it scanned. I didn't want to know it was.
"I just wanted to get through Friday's session. It didn't feel too bad. And then with medication and stuff (I could play)."
Leckie hasn't played for Australia since the June 2024 win over Palestine, when Graham Arnold was still coach.
"I want to be there. I really do," he said.
"I've always said that I love the national team. I love representing Australia.
"But obviously over the last two years, my body's just been a lot of dramas with injuries.
"And as much as I would like to be there, what's happening now with this and recently with my leg, I really, really think I do need just a really good break. And hopefully it all works out for next season.
"Just have a nice break, get through the preseason - because I need a good pre season - not just stop-start. Because I was back four or five times this year.
"I need consistency. My body needs game time, and hopefully with a really good break that'll happen."
He hopes that getting his body right can deliver the consistent form to make a run at a potential fourth World Cup.
"I need to play a really good season to give myself a chance," he said.
"If I'm playing, I'm healthy, playing well, that's what's gonna keep an opportunity to potentially compete."
Leckie could at least soak up his first championship win.
"It feels unbelievable," he said.
"I was saying, if we had lost this game and I walked away looking like this, then I would get devastated. It's all worth it.
"Now we've made another special moment where, when I finish my career, I can look back on and I've probably got scars that'll remind me as well."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
11 hours ago
- ABC News
Western United left with less than three days to save club after being granted extension to appeal A-Leagues licence call
Western United have less than three days to save their club after they were granted additional time to submit their appeal against the stripping of their A-Leagues licence. On August 8, United were stripped of their licence for the men's and women's leagues due to their ongoing financial issues, leaving the club on the brink of folding and players and staff in limbo. Later that day, the club vowed to appeal the decision by Football Australia's First Instance Board (FIB), an independent body responsible for club licensing, to withdraw their licence. United originally had until August 16 to submit their appeal, but requested an extension. The club now has until 10am on Thursday, August 21, to do so, otherwise their right to appeal will lapse. "Western United has requested, and been granted, an extension to appeal against the decision of the First Instance Board (FIB), made Friday 8 August 2025, to withdraw their licence," Football Australia (FA) said in a statement. "Western United has until 10:00am on Thursday 21 August 2025 to submit an appeal to the Appeals Body as per Football Australia's regulations. Just three years after their first A-League Men championship, United have been in financial turmoil for months, with players and staff paid late in April, May and June, while superannuation payments were also delayed. The club, led by chairman Jason Sourasis, had hoped their issues would be solved by a planned takeover by American group KAM Sports, which was announced in May. But that is yet to be completed, with the Australian Professional Leagues still to tick off the takeover because KAM hasn't submitted its full ownership proposal. The club's current ownership were unable to satisfy the financial criteria required to maintain their licence United, based in Tarneit in Melbourne's western suburbs, have also been unable to register players due to a FIFA ban related to an ongoing dispute with former striker Aleksandar Prijovic. The United saga is also having an effect on other clubs, who are yet to receive their fixtures and therefore cannot plan for the season ahead or ramp up their marketing and membership sales. AAP
The Advertiser
12 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Newcastle star's overseas club confirmed after surprise move
Newcastle-born striker Archie Goodwin was doing pre-season training with Adelaide a month ago. Now he has the task of leading Charlotte to a play-off berth in the MLS in the United States. Goodwin has completed a big-money transfer to Charlotte FC, reportedly worth $2 million, and is awaiting paperwork to be processed before a potential debut. The 20-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with The Crowns and has stayed in the US after completing a physical. Charlotte sits in seventh place in the Eastern Conference on 44 points, with seven games remaining. The top seven teams qualify for the first round of the play-offs. Teams placed eighth and ninth compete for a wildcard spot. Goodwin is coming off a breakout year in which he scored 13 goals to win the A-League Golden Boot. The former Jet also collected the A-League Young Footballer of the Year gong as well as Adelaide's Red Army Player of the Year and Members Player of the Year. "Archie is coming off a strong first season with Adelaide United at just 20 years old, and we can't wait to see him carry that momentum with us," Charlotte FC General Manager Zoran Krneta said on the club's website. "His awareness within the box, willingness to run and attack spaces are a few of the top qualities we saw that made us want to pursue him." Goodwin joined Adelaide last season after four seasons with his hometown club. He is the youngest player to make an A-League debut and score for the Jets, but his progress was hindered by a string of injury setbacks. However, those concerns appear to be in the past. "I'm incredibly grateful to everyone at Adelaide United - the staff, my teammates, and especially the fans - for the support they've shown me during my time at the club," Goodwin said. "Even though it was a short stay, it's one I'll never forget. "The club gave me the platform to grow, express myself, and take the next step in my career, and for that I'll always be thankful." Newcastle-born striker Archie Goodwin was doing pre-season training with Adelaide a month ago. Now he has the task of leading Charlotte to a play-off berth in the MLS in the United States. Goodwin has completed a big-money transfer to Charlotte FC, reportedly worth $2 million, and is awaiting paperwork to be processed before a potential debut. The 20-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with The Crowns and has stayed in the US after completing a physical. Charlotte sits in seventh place in the Eastern Conference on 44 points, with seven games remaining. The top seven teams qualify for the first round of the play-offs. Teams placed eighth and ninth compete for a wildcard spot. Goodwin is coming off a breakout year in which he scored 13 goals to win the A-League Golden Boot. The former Jet also collected the A-League Young Footballer of the Year gong as well as Adelaide's Red Army Player of the Year and Members Player of the Year. "Archie is coming off a strong first season with Adelaide United at just 20 years old, and we can't wait to see him carry that momentum with us," Charlotte FC General Manager Zoran Krneta said on the club's website. "His awareness within the box, willingness to run and attack spaces are a few of the top qualities we saw that made us want to pursue him." Goodwin joined Adelaide last season after four seasons with his hometown club. He is the youngest player to make an A-League debut and score for the Jets, but his progress was hindered by a string of injury setbacks. However, those concerns appear to be in the past. "I'm incredibly grateful to everyone at Adelaide United - the staff, my teammates, and especially the fans - for the support they've shown me during my time at the club," Goodwin said. "Even though it was a short stay, it's one I'll never forget. "The club gave me the platform to grow, express myself, and take the next step in my career, and for that I'll always be thankful." Newcastle-born striker Archie Goodwin was doing pre-season training with Adelaide a month ago. Now he has the task of leading Charlotte to a play-off berth in the MLS in the United States. Goodwin has completed a big-money transfer to Charlotte FC, reportedly worth $2 million, and is awaiting paperwork to be processed before a potential debut. The 20-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with The Crowns and has stayed in the US after completing a physical. Charlotte sits in seventh place in the Eastern Conference on 44 points, with seven games remaining. The top seven teams qualify for the first round of the play-offs. Teams placed eighth and ninth compete for a wildcard spot. Goodwin is coming off a breakout year in which he scored 13 goals to win the A-League Golden Boot. The former Jet also collected the A-League Young Footballer of the Year gong as well as Adelaide's Red Army Player of the Year and Members Player of the Year. "Archie is coming off a strong first season with Adelaide United at just 20 years old, and we can't wait to see him carry that momentum with us," Charlotte FC General Manager Zoran Krneta said on the club's website. "His awareness within the box, willingness to run and attack spaces are a few of the top qualities we saw that made us want to pursue him." Goodwin joined Adelaide last season after four seasons with his hometown club. He is the youngest player to make an A-League debut and score for the Jets, but his progress was hindered by a string of injury setbacks. However, those concerns appear to be in the past. "I'm incredibly grateful to everyone at Adelaide United - the staff, my teammates, and especially the fans - for the support they've shown me during my time at the club," Goodwin said. "Even though it was a short stay, it's one I'll never forget. "The club gave me the platform to grow, express myself, and take the next step in my career, and for that I'll always be thankful." Newcastle-born striker Archie Goodwin was doing pre-season training with Adelaide a month ago. Now he has the task of leading Charlotte to a play-off berth in the MLS in the United States. Goodwin has completed a big-money transfer to Charlotte FC, reportedly worth $2 million, and is awaiting paperwork to be processed before a potential debut. The 20-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with The Crowns and has stayed in the US after completing a physical. Charlotte sits in seventh place in the Eastern Conference on 44 points, with seven games remaining. The top seven teams qualify for the first round of the play-offs. Teams placed eighth and ninth compete for a wildcard spot. Goodwin is coming off a breakout year in which he scored 13 goals to win the A-League Golden Boot. The former Jet also collected the A-League Young Footballer of the Year gong as well as Adelaide's Red Army Player of the Year and Members Player of the Year. "Archie is coming off a strong first season with Adelaide United at just 20 years old, and we can't wait to see him carry that momentum with us," Charlotte FC General Manager Zoran Krneta said on the club's website. "His awareness within the box, willingness to run and attack spaces are a few of the top qualities we saw that made us want to pursue him." Goodwin joined Adelaide last season after four seasons with his hometown club. He is the youngest player to make an A-League debut and score for the Jets, but his progress was hindered by a string of injury setbacks. However, those concerns appear to be in the past. "I'm incredibly grateful to everyone at Adelaide United - the staff, my teammates, and especially the fans - for the support they've shown me during my time at the club," Goodwin said. "Even though it was a short stay, it's one I'll never forget. "The club gave me the platform to grow, express myself, and take the next step in my career, and for that I'll always be thankful."
Sydney Morning Herald
18 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Pick up the phone, Popa: Socceroos could lose another rising star to Croatia
Five months ago, Adrian Segecic sent a clear message to Socceroos coach Tony Popovic, delivered with the subtlety of a sledgehammer ... which, incidentally, is also how he describes his left foot. Segecic celebrated one of his 17 goals last season for Sydney FC by raising his thumb and pinkie finger to his ear as if to mime a phone call, just days after being contentiously overlooked for an international call-up. He still hasn't spoken to Popovic. And now Australian fans aren't the only ones worried they could lose him. Supporters of Segecic's new club are already bracing for him to be poached by a Premier League club amid the 21-year-old's sensational start to life in the English Championship, scoring two goals and setting up another in his first three games for Portsmouth. That form will surely be rewarded with a spot in Popovic's squad for the upcoming Soccer Ashes series against New Zealand, due to be unveiled late next week - and that's his first preference, but Segecic is also keeping the door ajar to a possible switch of allegiance to Croatia. 'I haven't heard anything yet,' he told this masthead. 'Obviously, I've played for the Aussies in every age group, so to play for the Socceroos in a World Cup would be a dream. If that's what Popa wants, if I'm welcomed into the Socceroos, definitely. It's a goal [of mine] … with the World Cup coming up as well, it would be unbelievable to have a good season here in England and follow it up with the World Cup. So it's definitely the plan. 'But we'll see what happens. The Croatian national team is there ... being in Europe, being in the UK, I think everything's a lot closer.'
