Socceroos suffer big blow as star set for foot surgery

The Advertiser

2 days ago

Socceroos star Craig Goodwin will miss Australia's crunch World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia after being cut down by a foot injury that requires surgery.
Coach Tony Popovic named his extended 26-man squad on Sunday ahead of Thursday night's blockbuster against Japan in Perth, and there were plenty of big names missing.
Free agent Kusini Yengi was deemed not match fit enough after struggling for game time with Portsmouth, while Nestory Irankunda is nursing a hamstring injury that has also ruled him out of action for the Australia Under 20s.
Johnny Warren Medallist Nicolas Milanovic and Max Balard were overlooked in tough selection calls, while the international future of Nectarios Triantis remains shrouded in mystery after he declined an offer to join the Socceroos' recent training camp in Abu Dhabi.
Injuries have scuppered the hopes of Mathew Leckie and Nishan Velupillay, which come on top of Jackson Irvine (foot) being ruled out last month.
But in an unexpected blow for the Socceroos, Goodwin will be sidelined for a yet-to-be-determined period after succumbing to a foot injury.
The news comes just days after Goodwin, who has been plying his trade with Saudi Arabian side Al-Wehda, announced he would be rejoining Adelaide United on a three-year deal.
"He has a foot problem and will be requiring surgery," Popovic told reporters in Perth.
"It's something he's tried to avoid. I think the last month or so he's been trying to get through the games.
"It's something I think he's had ongoing for a while but being able to manage it, and it's just got to a point that he needs to intervene."
Triantis, who is signed by Sunderland but spent the season on loan at Scottish outfit Hibernian, was initially meant to be part of the Socceroos' training camp.
The 22-year-old pulled out at the last minute, and there's no guarantees he will commit his future to the Socceroos, given he is also eligible to play for Greece.
"I'm not too sure where it exactly sits," Popovic said.
"We had him in the squad for the camp, and on the day that he was supposed to travel he informed us that he's not coming in.
"He just said he's got a lot of things on at the moment, a lot on his mind in terms of what he wants to do.
"We have to respect that, and we'll see what happens."
Australia (13 points) sit second in their qualifying group and will take on Japan in Perth on Thursday night, before facing third-placed Saudi Arabia (10 points) in Jeddah the following Tuesday.
The top two in the group will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and Australia can guarantee their place if they beat Japan.
Popovic named fit-again defender Alessandro Circati as part of his squad.
Central defender Circati ruptured his left ACL last September, but has made a remarkable return for Serie A club Parma.
"We didn't expect to have him ... and we anticipated September would be the earliest moment to have him back," Popovic said.
"But once he played those two games and he got through it, we saw the opportunity to bring him in."
Riley McGree (Middlesbrough) and Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli) have also been selected, making their long-awaited returns from injury.
Aziz Behich will arrive in Perth fresh from lifting the A-League Men championship trophy, following Melbourne City's 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory.
Victory defender Kasey Bos, younger brother of injured left-back Jordy, earns his first Socceroos call-up.
He is one of six players who will arrive in camp direct from the grand final, including teammates Daniel Arzani and Ryan Teague.
Paul Okon-Engstler (Benfica) - son of Socceroos great and assistant coach Paul Okon - also earns his first call-up to the senior national team, after impressing during his time in Abu Dhabi.
SOCCEROOS SQUAD:
Daniel Arzani, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Kasey Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Jason Geria, Paul Izzo, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Paul Okon-Engstler, Aiden O'Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Mohamed Toure, Adam Taggart, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Kai Trewin, Patrick Yazbek
Socceroos star Craig Goodwin will miss Australia's crunch World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia after being cut down by a foot injury that requires surgery.
Coach Tony Popovic named his extended 26-man squad on Sunday ahead of Thursday night's blockbuster against Japan in Perth, and there were plenty of big names missing.
Free agent Kusini Yengi was deemed not match fit enough after struggling for game time with Portsmouth, while Nestory Irankunda is nursing a hamstring injury that has also ruled him out of action for the Australia Under 20s.
Johnny Warren Medallist Nicolas Milanovic and Max Balard were overlooked in tough selection calls, while the international future of Nectarios Triantis remains shrouded in mystery after he declined an offer to join the Socceroos' recent training camp in Abu Dhabi.
Injuries have scuppered the hopes of Mathew Leckie and Nishan Velupillay, which come on top of Jackson Irvine (foot) being ruled out last month.
But in an unexpected blow for the Socceroos, Goodwin will be sidelined for a yet-to-be-determined period after succumbing to a foot injury.
The news comes just days after Goodwin, who has been plying his trade with Saudi Arabian side Al-Wehda, announced he would be rejoining Adelaide United on a three-year deal.
"He has a foot problem and will be requiring surgery," Popovic told reporters in Perth.
"It's something he's tried to avoid. I think the last month or so he's been trying to get through the games.
"It's something I think he's had ongoing for a while but being able to manage it, and it's just got to a point that he needs to intervene."
Triantis, who is signed by Sunderland but spent the season on loan at Scottish outfit Hibernian, was initially meant to be part of the Socceroos' training camp.
The 22-year-old pulled out at the last minute, and there's no guarantees he will commit his future to the Socceroos, given he is also eligible to play for Greece.
"I'm not too sure where it exactly sits," Popovic said.
"We had him in the squad for the camp, and on the day that he was supposed to travel he informed us that he's not coming in.
"He just said he's got a lot of things on at the moment, a lot on his mind in terms of what he wants to do.
"We have to respect that, and we'll see what happens."
Australia (13 points) sit second in their qualifying group and will take on Japan in Perth on Thursday night, before facing third-placed Saudi Arabia (10 points) in Jeddah the following Tuesday.
The top two in the group will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and Australia can guarantee their place if they beat Japan.
Popovic named fit-again defender Alessandro Circati as part of his squad.
Central defender Circati ruptured his left ACL last September, but has made a remarkable return for Serie A club Parma.
"We didn't expect to have him ... and we anticipated September would be the earliest moment to have him back," Popovic said.
"But once he played those two games and he got through it, we saw the opportunity to bring him in."
Riley McGree (Middlesbrough) and Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli) have also been selected, making their long-awaited returns from injury.
Aziz Behich will arrive in Perth fresh from lifting the A-League Men championship trophy, following Melbourne City's 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory.
Victory defender Kasey Bos, younger brother of injured left-back Jordy, earns his first Socceroos call-up.
He is one of six players who will arrive in camp direct from the grand final, including teammates Daniel Arzani and Ryan Teague.
Paul Okon-Engstler (Benfica) - son of Socceroos great and assistant coach Paul Okon - also earns his first call-up to the senior national team, after impressing during his time in Abu Dhabi.
SOCCEROOS SQUAD:
Daniel Arzani, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Kasey Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Jason Geria, Paul Izzo, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Paul Okon-Engstler, Aiden O'Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Mohamed Toure, Adam Taggart, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Kai Trewin, Patrick Yazbek
Socceroos star Craig Goodwin will miss Australia's crunch World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia after being cut down by a foot injury that requires surgery.
Coach Tony Popovic named his extended 26-man squad on Sunday ahead of Thursday night's blockbuster against Japan in Perth, and there were plenty of big names missing.
Free agent Kusini Yengi was deemed not match fit enough after struggling for game time with Portsmouth, while Nestory Irankunda is nursing a hamstring injury that has also ruled him out of action for the Australia Under 20s.
Johnny Warren Medallist Nicolas Milanovic and Max Balard were overlooked in tough selection calls, while the international future of Nectarios Triantis remains shrouded in mystery after he declined an offer to join the Socceroos' recent training camp in Abu Dhabi.
Injuries have scuppered the hopes of Mathew Leckie and Nishan Velupillay, which come on top of Jackson Irvine (foot) being ruled out last month.
But in an unexpected blow for the Socceroos, Goodwin will be sidelined for a yet-to-be-determined period after succumbing to a foot injury.
The news comes just days after Goodwin, who has been plying his trade with Saudi Arabian side Al-Wehda, announced he would be rejoining Adelaide United on a three-year deal.
"He has a foot problem and will be requiring surgery," Popovic told reporters in Perth.
"It's something he's tried to avoid. I think the last month or so he's been trying to get through the games.
"It's something I think he's had ongoing for a while but being able to manage it, and it's just got to a point that he needs to intervene."
Triantis, who is signed by Sunderland but spent the season on loan at Scottish outfit Hibernian, was initially meant to be part of the Socceroos' training camp.
The 22-year-old pulled out at the last minute, and there's no guarantees he will commit his future to the Socceroos, given he is also eligible to play for Greece.
"I'm not too sure where it exactly sits," Popovic said.
"We had him in the squad for the camp, and on the day that he was supposed to travel he informed us that he's not coming in.
"He just said he's got a lot of things on at the moment, a lot on his mind in terms of what he wants to do.
"We have to respect that, and we'll see what happens."
Australia (13 points) sit second in their qualifying group and will take on Japan in Perth on Thursday night, before facing third-placed Saudi Arabia (10 points) in Jeddah the following Tuesday.
The top two in the group will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and Australia can guarantee their place if they beat Japan.
Popovic named fit-again defender Alessandro Circati as part of his squad.
Central defender Circati ruptured his left ACL last September, but has made a remarkable return for Serie A club Parma.
"We didn't expect to have him ... and we anticipated September would be the earliest moment to have him back," Popovic said.
"But once he played those two games and he got through it, we saw the opportunity to bring him in."
Riley McGree (Middlesbrough) and Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli) have also been selected, making their long-awaited returns from injury.
Aziz Behich will arrive in Perth fresh from lifting the A-League Men championship trophy, following Melbourne City's 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory.
Victory defender Kasey Bos, younger brother of injured left-back Jordy, earns his first Socceroos call-up.
He is one of six players who will arrive in camp direct from the grand final, including teammates Daniel Arzani and Ryan Teague.
Paul Okon-Engstler (Benfica) - son of Socceroos great and assistant coach Paul Okon - also earns his first call-up to the senior national team, after impressing during his time in Abu Dhabi.
SOCCEROOS SQUAD:
Daniel Arzani, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Kasey Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Jason Geria, Paul Izzo, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Paul Okon-Engstler, Aiden O'Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Mohamed Toure, Adam Taggart, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Kai Trewin, Patrick Yazbek