Australia’s national soccer team, the Socceroos, has been dealt a blow ahead of their crucial AFC World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan, as Massimo Luongo has been forced to withdraw due to an ankle injury. The Ipswich Town midfielder, who recently came out of international retirement, was set to play a key role in the team’s quest to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
In his place, Nashville SC’s Patrick Yazbek has been called up to the squad, along with Macarthur FC veteran Luke Brattan. The pair will join the team in Adelaide for the match against China on Thursday, before traveling to Saitama for the encounter with Japan on October 15.
The Socceroos are currently fifth in Group C, five points behind leaders Japan and three points adrift of second-placed Saudi Arabia. With only the top two teams guaranteed a spot in the World Cup, the pressure is on for Tony Popovic’s side to secure a win against China.
Midfielder Riley McGree, who has recently returned from injury, believes the team has the quality to break down their opponents and secure a much-needed victory. “We’re all attacking players with quality, and we’ve shown that we can break teams down and score,” McGree said. “It’s not up to any one individual, it’s about making it happen on the day.”
McGree, who has played against teams managed by Popovic in the past, is excited about the new direction the team is taking under the former defender’s guidance. “It’s an exciting brand of football, and one that everyone has bought into,” McGree said. “I think we can use the pressure to our advantage and get the result we need.”
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