City star's Socceroos hopes ruined by fresh injury
Melbourne City star Mathew Leckie's Socceroos absence will extend beyond a year, souring his heroic effort to play through a hamstring injury and a busted nose in the A-League Men grand final.
Leckie won the Joe Marston Medal as player of the match in City's 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory, despite having his nose splattered across his face and bleeding through a bandage 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 now won't go - between both requiring assessment on his face in Melbourne on Monday and a fresh soft tissue injury, and wasn't named in the squad on Sunday.
The 34-year-old revealed he had suffered a hamstring injury on Tuesday and had carried it into Saturday night's decider, when he starred at defensive midfield - showcasing his grit and versatility.
"I hurt my hamstring, so I basically played with a strained hamstring," Leckie said.
"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)."
While Aziz Behich, Kai Trewin and Marco Tilio flew to Perth on Sunday morning, Leckie was at City's championship celebrations at AAMI Park.
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 pre-season, 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."
Melbourne City star Mathew Leckie's Socceroos absence will extend beyond a year, souring his heroic effort to play through a hamstring injury and a busted nose in the A-League Men grand final.
Leckie won the Joe Marston Medal as player of the match in City's 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory, despite having his nose splattered across his face and bleeding through a bandage 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 now won't go - between both requiring assessment on his face in Melbourne on Monday and a fresh soft tissue injury, and wasn't named in the squad on Sunday.
The 34-year-old revealed he had suffered a hamstring injury on Tuesday and had carried it into Saturday night's decider, when he starred at defensive midfield - showcasing his grit and versatility.
"I hurt my hamstring, so I basically played with a strained hamstring," Leckie said.
"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)."
While Aziz Behich, Kai Trewin and Marco Tilio flew to Perth on Sunday morning, Leckie was at City's championship celebrations at AAMI Park.
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 pre-season, 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."
Melbourne City star Mathew Leckie's Socceroos absence will extend beyond a year, souring his heroic effort to play through a hamstring injury and a busted nose in the A-League Men grand final.
Leckie won the Joe Marston Medal as player of the match in City's 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory, despite having his nose splattered across his face and bleeding through a bandage 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 now won't go - between both requiring assessment on his face in Melbourne on Monday and a fresh soft tissue injury, and wasn't named in the squad on Sunday.
The 34-year-old revealed he had suffered a hamstring injury on Tuesday and had carried it into Saturday night's decider, when he starred at defensive midfield - showcasing his grit and versatility.
"I hurt my hamstring, so I basically played with a strained hamstring," Leckie said.
"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)."
While Aziz Behich, Kai Trewin and Marco Tilio flew to Perth on Sunday morning, Leckie was at City's championship celebrations at AAMI Park.
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 pre-season, 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
News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
news.com.au — Australia's leading news site for latest headlines
Australia coach Tony Popovic has implored his side to 'finish the job' ahead of the Socceroos' crunch World Cup qualifier against rivals Japan on Thursday in Perth. A drought-breaking win over the Asian powerhouse would all but assure Australia an automatic berth in next year's World Cup in North America. The Socceroos have a three-point lead and a significant goal difference advantage over Saudi Arabia as they jockey for second place in Group C of Asian qualifying. But a loss or draw against already qualified Japan means Australia will be thrust into a critical clash against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on June 10. A win does not totally guarantee Australia's passage if Saudi Arabia claim victory in their away game against Bahrain later on Thursday. 'We just need to finish the job off. We can take a major step tomorrow night by winning,' Popovic told reporters on Wednesday. 'There's a real excitement from the group, but there's a calmness and confidence in our ability.' Australia have not beaten Japan since 2009, but hopes are high against a considerably weakened side resting a slew of top players. PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 04: Tony Popovic, head coach of the Socceroos addresses the media prior to a Socceroos training session at Perth Stadium on June 04, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by) Leeds United star Ao Tanaka, Reims forward Junya Ito and Hidemasa Morita from Sporting Lisbon are among the players missing for the Samurai Blue. In contrast, Australia will boast a near full-strength side and buoyed by the recent return of Parma defender Alessandro Circati from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. 'It's been a long time since Australia has beaten Japan, but I have a lot of confidence in this group,' said Popovic, who has turned Australia's fortunes around since replacing Graham Arnold in September. 'At some point, Australia will beat Japan. We have a chance to do that tomorrow and we want to take that opportunity.' A febrile atmosphere is tipped with 50,000 fans expected to attend Optus Stadium despite stormy weather in Perth ahead of the game. 'We certainly are aware of what these games mean to us and mean to Australia,' Popovic said. 'I'm very confident the players will go out there and execute in a very calm, composed manner.' With an eighth straight World Cup appearance assured, Japan are using their trip to Australia and subsequent home game against Indonesia as an opportunity to trial younger players and build depth. Japan's 27-man squad includes eight uncapped players, but Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo provide plenty of class for the Asian nation eyeing a first World Cup triumph. 'The ultimate goal is to win the World Cup,' Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said. 'So we really need to take each match and the time we prepare for matches seriously. 'We need to build the strongest team possible (for) the World Cup.' Originally published as Socceroos v Japan, FIFA World Cup qualifier live coverage and how to watch on TV
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Permanent training base on wish list of new Jets coach
Finding a permanent training base for the Newcastle Jets' A-League Women's side will be a priority for newly appointed coach Stephen Hoyle. The 32-year-old Englishman was unveiled as Ryan Campbell's replacement on Tuesday and has already held discussions with off-contract captain Cassidy Davis about the facility issues faced by the women's team last season. Hoyle is based in New Zealand and will move his young family to Newcastle in September, but is keen to get to work reviewing Newcastle's 2024-25 season with a focus on the Jets' roster as well as trying to find a solution to their training venue woes. A longer A-League competition in recent years, although welcome, has meant the Jets moving out of their No.2 Sportsground training base before the season's completion to make way for rugby union. They were also unable to move in on time last season due to issues with the playing surface. Both prompted scrambling searches for last-minute training venues. That included a week of 6am training at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility because no other timeslots were available and using a junior community club's soccer field. "I've had a conversation with Cass already," Hoyle told the Newcastle Herald. "In terms of developing players, I want to leave players better than I found them, and I want to improve myself, but I think organisationally, you've got to leave a place better than you found it as well. "So these are key things that we will look to fix. I understand that you have to be adaptable in your coaching journey, but there's nothing wrong with trying to hold the club accountable and trying to push for the best that you can get for your players. "At the end of the day, the better the players feel, the better they're looked after, the better the performances. "So, things like that will be key things that we speak about, and they have already been talked about in terms of, 'Can we get a permanent home', and that adds straight away to the performance that we can put on the pitch." Davis is one of 16 players off contract but the home-grown Jets captain, who is closing in on 200 A-League appearances, is expected to be re-signed for a 13th season. Contracted for another year are Matildas centre-back Natasha Prior, Jets player of the year Sophie Hoban, attacker India Breier, defenders Josie Wilson and Claudia Cicco plus home-grown midfielders Emma Dundas and Libby Copus-Brown. "I want to do a lot more work on watching the games from last season, with the tactical footage and getting a good understanding of what we have and what we want to take forward," Hoyle said. "I'll try to do a lot of work from New Zealand, in getting to know the players, connecting to the staff that remains and seeing what we need to do and fill some spaces as well, then hit the ground running in September." The Jets finished second-last on the competition standings, and just four points off the bottom of the table, a season after breaking a six-year finals drought. They lacked a prolific goalscorer and leaked a league-high 53 goals. "I think people like Cass are invaluable," Hoyle said. "There's not many stories where a player has been at a club for 10 years and really understands the place, was brought up in the place. "Obviously, I understand the Jets want to have local talent and local players in there. It's then mixing that with some experience, a couple of good foreign spots if I can make that happen, and then some other good, young Australian talent and maybe a couple of older players who are Australian and are leaders. That's what I'm looking at. "But, in terms of what positions they are and how that will work, that will be a jigsaw when I learn from the Jets who's got another year left on their deal, what positions do we have available, what don't we have available, and I'm working through all of that information with them now to find out where we sit." Originally from Barnsley in England, Hoyle has played in leagues around the world and coached at various levels for over a decade. He coached Eastern Suburbs to grand final glory in New Zealand Women's National League in 2022 and is assistant coach of the under-17 women's national team. Hoyle, a defender with experience playing up front, is currently playing for New Zealand National League club Napier City, where he is also an assistant coach, but will hang up the boots to take on a two-year commitment with the Jets. Newcastle is somewhat familiar already. "My partner Jill [O'Meagher] is actually born in Newcastle," Hoyle said. "Her mum and dad moved to New Zealand when she was two years old but most of her family still live in Newcastle. She holidays there a lot. I've been quite a few times on holiday, so I know the place. "I'm from in between Barnsley and Sheffield, which is a huge mining town, a huge steel city, so I feel like it's kind of where I was brought up but it's on the beach, which makes it 10 times better. "But I think I understand what the people want to see from a work ethic side and from a cultural side of their team." Hoyle and O'Meagher have a three-year-old son George and are expecting a second child in November. Finding a permanent training base for the Newcastle Jets' A-League Women's side will be a priority for newly appointed coach Stephen Hoyle. The 32-year-old Englishman was unveiled as Ryan Campbell's replacement on Tuesday and has already held discussions with off-contract captain Cassidy Davis about the facility issues faced by the women's team last season. Hoyle is based in New Zealand and will move his young family to Newcastle in September, but is keen to get to work reviewing Newcastle's 2024-25 season with a focus on the Jets' roster as well as trying to find a solution to their training venue woes. A longer A-League competition in recent years, although welcome, has meant the Jets moving out of their No.2 Sportsground training base before the season's completion to make way for rugby union. They were also unable to move in on time last season due to issues with the playing surface. Both prompted scrambling searches for last-minute training venues. That included a week of 6am training at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility because no other timeslots were available and using a junior community club's soccer field. "I've had a conversation with Cass already," Hoyle told the Newcastle Herald. "In terms of developing players, I want to leave players better than I found them, and I want to improve myself, but I think organisationally, you've got to leave a place better than you found it as well. "So these are key things that we will look to fix. I understand that you have to be adaptable in your coaching journey, but there's nothing wrong with trying to hold the club accountable and trying to push for the best that you can get for your players. "At the end of the day, the better the players feel, the better they're looked after, the better the performances. "So, things like that will be key things that we speak about, and they have already been talked about in terms of, 'Can we get a permanent home', and that adds straight away to the performance that we can put on the pitch." Davis is one of 16 players off contract but the home-grown Jets captain, who is closing in on 200 A-League appearances, is expected to be re-signed for a 13th season. Contracted for another year are Matildas centre-back Natasha Prior, Jets player of the year Sophie Hoban, attacker India Breier, defenders Josie Wilson and Claudia Cicco plus home-grown midfielders Emma Dundas and Libby Copus-Brown. "I want to do a lot more work on watching the games from last season, with the tactical footage and getting a good understanding of what we have and what we want to take forward," Hoyle said. "I'll try to do a lot of work from New Zealand, in getting to know the players, connecting to the staff that remains and seeing what we need to do and fill some spaces as well, then hit the ground running in September." The Jets finished second-last on the competition standings, and just four points off the bottom of the table, a season after breaking a six-year finals drought. They lacked a prolific goalscorer and leaked a league-high 53 goals. "I think people like Cass are invaluable," Hoyle said. "There's not many stories where a player has been at a club for 10 years and really understands the place, was brought up in the place. "Obviously, I understand the Jets want to have local talent and local players in there. It's then mixing that with some experience, a couple of good foreign spots if I can make that happen, and then some other good, young Australian talent and maybe a couple of older players who are Australian and are leaders. That's what I'm looking at. "But, in terms of what positions they are and how that will work, that will be a jigsaw when I learn from the Jets who's got another year left on their deal, what positions do we have available, what don't we have available, and I'm working through all of that information with them now to find out where we sit." Originally from Barnsley in England, Hoyle has played in leagues around the world and coached at various levels for over a decade. He coached Eastern Suburbs to grand final glory in New Zealand Women's National League in 2022 and is assistant coach of the under-17 women's national team. Hoyle, a defender with experience playing up front, is currently playing for New Zealand National League club Napier City, where he is also an assistant coach, but will hang up the boots to take on a two-year commitment with the Jets. Newcastle is somewhat familiar already. "My partner Jill [O'Meagher] is actually born in Newcastle," Hoyle said. "Her mum and dad moved to New Zealand when she was two years old but most of her family still live in Newcastle. She holidays there a lot. I've been quite a few times on holiday, so I know the place. "I'm from in between Barnsley and Sheffield, which is a huge mining town, a huge steel city, so I feel like it's kind of where I was brought up but it's on the beach, which makes it 10 times better. "But I think I understand what the people want to see from a work ethic side and from a cultural side of their team." Hoyle and O'Meagher have a three-year-old son George and are expecting a second child in November. Finding a permanent training base for the Newcastle Jets' A-League Women's side will be a priority for newly appointed coach Stephen Hoyle. The 32-year-old Englishman was unveiled as Ryan Campbell's replacement on Tuesday and has already held discussions with off-contract captain Cassidy Davis about the facility issues faced by the women's team last season. Hoyle is based in New Zealand and will move his young family to Newcastle in September, but is keen to get to work reviewing Newcastle's 2024-25 season with a focus on the Jets' roster as well as trying to find a solution to their training venue woes. A longer A-League competition in recent years, although welcome, has meant the Jets moving out of their No.2 Sportsground training base before the season's completion to make way for rugby union. They were also unable to move in on time last season due to issues with the playing surface. Both prompted scrambling searches for last-minute training venues. That included a week of 6am training at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility because no other timeslots were available and using a junior community club's soccer field. "I've had a conversation with Cass already," Hoyle told the Newcastle Herald. "In terms of developing players, I want to leave players better than I found them, and I want to improve myself, but I think organisationally, you've got to leave a place better than you found it as well. "So these are key things that we will look to fix. I understand that you have to be adaptable in your coaching journey, but there's nothing wrong with trying to hold the club accountable and trying to push for the best that you can get for your players. "At the end of the day, the better the players feel, the better they're looked after, the better the performances. "So, things like that will be key things that we speak about, and they have already been talked about in terms of, 'Can we get a permanent home', and that adds straight away to the performance that we can put on the pitch." Davis is one of 16 players off contract but the home-grown Jets captain, who is closing in on 200 A-League appearances, is expected to be re-signed for a 13th season. Contracted for another year are Matildas centre-back Natasha Prior, Jets player of the year Sophie Hoban, attacker India Breier, defenders Josie Wilson and Claudia Cicco plus home-grown midfielders Emma Dundas and Libby Copus-Brown. "I want to do a lot more work on watching the games from last season, with the tactical footage and getting a good understanding of what we have and what we want to take forward," Hoyle said. "I'll try to do a lot of work from New Zealand, in getting to know the players, connecting to the staff that remains and seeing what we need to do and fill some spaces as well, then hit the ground running in September." The Jets finished second-last on the competition standings, and just four points off the bottom of the table, a season after breaking a six-year finals drought. They lacked a prolific goalscorer and leaked a league-high 53 goals. "I think people like Cass are invaluable," Hoyle said. "There's not many stories where a player has been at a club for 10 years and really understands the place, was brought up in the place. "Obviously, I understand the Jets want to have local talent and local players in there. It's then mixing that with some experience, a couple of good foreign spots if I can make that happen, and then some other good, young Australian talent and maybe a couple of older players who are Australian and are leaders. That's what I'm looking at. "But, in terms of what positions they are and how that will work, that will be a jigsaw when I learn from the Jets who's got another year left on their deal, what positions do we have available, what don't we have available, and I'm working through all of that information with them now to find out where we sit." Originally from Barnsley in England, Hoyle has played in leagues around the world and coached at various levels for over a decade. He coached Eastern Suburbs to grand final glory in New Zealand Women's National League in 2022 and is assistant coach of the under-17 women's national team. Hoyle, a defender with experience playing up front, is currently playing for New Zealand National League club Napier City, where he is also an assistant coach, but will hang up the boots to take on a two-year commitment with the Jets. Newcastle is somewhat familiar already. "My partner Jill [O'Meagher] is actually born in Newcastle," Hoyle said. "Her mum and dad moved to New Zealand when she was two years old but most of her family still live in Newcastle. She holidays there a lot. I've been quite a few times on holiday, so I know the place. "I'm from in between Barnsley and Sheffield, which is a huge mining town, a huge steel city, so I feel like it's kind of where I was brought up but it's on the beach, which makes it 10 times better. "But I think I understand what the people want to see from a work ethic side and from a cultural side of their team." Hoyle and O'Meagher have a three-year-old son George and are expecting a second child in November. Finding a permanent training base for the Newcastle Jets' A-League Women's side will be a priority for newly appointed coach Stephen Hoyle. The 32-year-old Englishman was unveiled as Ryan Campbell's replacement on Tuesday and has already held discussions with off-contract captain Cassidy Davis about the facility issues faced by the women's team last season. Hoyle is based in New Zealand and will move his young family to Newcastle in September, but is keen to get to work reviewing Newcastle's 2024-25 season with a focus on the Jets' roster as well as trying to find a solution to their training venue woes. A longer A-League competition in recent years, although welcome, has meant the Jets moving out of their No.2 Sportsground training base before the season's completion to make way for rugby union. They were also unable to move in on time last season due to issues with the playing surface. Both prompted scrambling searches for last-minute training venues. That included a week of 6am training at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility because no other timeslots were available and using a junior community club's soccer field. "I've had a conversation with Cass already," Hoyle told the Newcastle Herald. "In terms of developing players, I want to leave players better than I found them, and I want to improve myself, but I think organisationally, you've got to leave a place better than you found it as well. "So these are key things that we will look to fix. I understand that you have to be adaptable in your coaching journey, but there's nothing wrong with trying to hold the club accountable and trying to push for the best that you can get for your players. "At the end of the day, the better the players feel, the better they're looked after, the better the performances. "So, things like that will be key things that we speak about, and they have already been talked about in terms of, 'Can we get a permanent home', and that adds straight away to the performance that we can put on the pitch." Davis is one of 16 players off contract but the home-grown Jets captain, who is closing in on 200 A-League appearances, is expected to be re-signed for a 13th season. Contracted for another year are Matildas centre-back Natasha Prior, Jets player of the year Sophie Hoban, attacker India Breier, defenders Josie Wilson and Claudia Cicco plus home-grown midfielders Emma Dundas and Libby Copus-Brown. "I want to do a lot more work on watching the games from last season, with the tactical footage and getting a good understanding of what we have and what we want to take forward," Hoyle said. "I'll try to do a lot of work from New Zealand, in getting to know the players, connecting to the staff that remains and seeing what we need to do and fill some spaces as well, then hit the ground running in September." The Jets finished second-last on the competition standings, and just four points off the bottom of the table, a season after breaking a six-year finals drought. They lacked a prolific goalscorer and leaked a league-high 53 goals. "I think people like Cass are invaluable," Hoyle said. "There's not many stories where a player has been at a club for 10 years and really understands the place, was brought up in the place. "Obviously, I understand the Jets want to have local talent and local players in there. It's then mixing that with some experience, a couple of good foreign spots if I can make that happen, and then some other good, young Australian talent and maybe a couple of older players who are Australian and are leaders. That's what I'm looking at. "But, in terms of what positions they are and how that will work, that will be a jigsaw when I learn from the Jets who's got another year left on their deal, what positions do we have available, what don't we have available, and I'm working through all of that information with them now to find out where we sit." Originally from Barnsley in England, Hoyle has played in leagues around the world and coached at various levels for over a decade. He coached Eastern Suburbs to grand final glory in New Zealand Women's National League in 2022 and is assistant coach of the under-17 women's national team. Hoyle, a defender with experience playing up front, is currently playing for New Zealand National League club Napier City, where he is also an assistant coach, but will hang up the boots to take on a two-year commitment with the Jets. Newcastle is somewhat familiar already. "My partner Jill [O'Meagher] is actually born in Newcastle," Hoyle said. "Her mum and dad moved to New Zealand when she was two years old but most of her family still live in Newcastle. She holidays there a lot. I've been quite a few times on holiday, so I know the place. "I'm from in between Barnsley and Sheffield, which is a huge mining town, a huge steel city, so I feel like it's kind of where I was brought up but it's on the beach, which makes it 10 times better. "But I think I understand what the people want to see from a work ethic side and from a cultural side of their team." Hoyle and O'Meagher have a three-year-old son George and are expecting a second child in November.
SBS Australia
8 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Socceroos v Japan: How Australia can qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is desperate for his side to "finish the job" and qualify automatically for next year's FIFA World Cup. Australia will all but seal a sixth consecutive World Cup appearance with a win over Japan tonight at Perth Stadium. It sounds easy in theory, but it's been 16 years since the Socceroos last defeated the Samurai Blue. "We will break it," Popovic said, referring to the winless streak. "At some point, Australia will beat Japan. Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is hoping to lead the team to qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Source: AAP / Richard Wainwright "I know that the players don't take the responsibility lightly, we want to show that tomorrow with our performance. "There's real excitement from our group, as well as a sense of calmness." The Socceroos' possible paths to the World Cup If Saudi Arabia loses against Bahrain on Friday and the Socceroos record a first win over Japan in 11 matches, Australia will secure automatic qualification with a game to spare. In the event both Australia and Saudi Arabia win, the Socceroos will need to avoid a heavy defeat against the Green Falcons next Wednesday to confirm their place at next year's tournament. In that case, Australia would only miss out on automatic qualification if they lose by five goals or more against Saudi Arabia. Alternatively, the Socceroos could still lose against Japan, and a draw in the final game would still be enough to qualify. If the Socceroos lose to Japan on Thursday, they will have other chances to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett In the event of two losses, the Socceroos will then finish third or fourth in their group and will have to qualify via a round-robin tournament in October, which is to be played at a centralised venue within the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Six nations will be placed into two groups of three and play each other once. The two group winners will progress to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. If the Socceroos were to lose both matches in the round-robin tournament, they would miss out on football's showpiece event for the first time since 2002. However, if the Socceroos were to finish second in their group at the round-robin tournament, they would have another opportunity to qualify through the inter-confederation play-offs. They would first have to defeat the second-placed nation from the other group in November in a two-legged playoff. The winner will be the AFC's representative at a six-nation playoff tournament in March next year, where the final two spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be determined. Watch all 104 games of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ LIVE on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand .
