Socceroos Slimmed Down for Knockout Stage

Australia’s World Cup hopes take a hit as veteran Matthew Leckie and right-back Jacob Italiano exit the Socceroos squad due to injuries, leaving just 24 players to battle through the knockout stage. Leckie, recently fit after his own recovery, suffered a setback during the USA match, while Italiano’s groin issue forced him to return home. Teammates like Aziz Behich mourn Leckie’s departure, praising his grit and impact, while coach Tony Popovic now faces tough lineup adjustments—especially in wide areas. With the squad staying in Oakland until July 1st before heading to Dallas for their next match, the focus remains on resilience and unity as they gear up for the high-stakes knockout rounds. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/25f1ad9acf2df6d0