The Socceroos will be forced into at least two injury-enforced changes for their crucial World Cup clash with Paraguay, with defender Jacob Italiano joining Mathew Leckie on the sidelines. However, coach Tony Popovic has kept everyone guessing on whether dynamo Nestory Irankunda will start the game that will determine Australia's path to the round of 32.
Injury Updates and Replacements
Veteran attacker Leckie (hamstring) limped off in Australia's 2-0 loss to the United States, and right wing-back Italiano picked up an adductor injury in training. Losing Italiano, who started against Turkey and the US, is a blow. “Jacob unfortunately won’t be available,” Popovic said on Wednesday. “I think it’s an adductor injury. We don’t know the extent of it as yet. We’ll do some further tests in coming days, but he won’t be available for this game.” Jason Geria, left-back Aziz Behich, and Kai Trewin are Italiano's potential replacements.
Group D Scenarios
With a win or draw against Paraguay at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Thursday (Friday AEST), Australia will finish second in Group D, locking in a trip to Dallas to face the Group G runners-up. A defeat would mean a nervous wait, but probably still progression as one of the eight best third-placed teams. Both teams are on three points, and a draw would see both advance, but Paraguay aims to leapfrog Australia into second.
Selection Controversy and Irankunda's Role
Fall-out from the 2-0 defeat to the US centred on Popovic's decision to drop goalscorers Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe for Nishan Velupillay and Leckie. Irankunda, Metcalfe, and Cristian Volpato all eventually impressed when brought off the bench. “Whoever starts tomorrow, I know can build a strong foundation, and whoever comes on can finish what we’ve started,” Popovic said. “So I’m happy with all the players. Each circumstance and situation is very different, and we’re very comfortable with the players we chose against the US. I wouldn’t change that. I’d only change the performance in the first half so that we could match them a bit better. But I’m sure from that experience we’ll be better against Paraguay and, God willing, we get through, we’ll be better again for the next experience, and Nestory plays a big part in that, of course.”
Yellow Card Concerns
Defenders Harry Souttar, Alessandro Circati, and Jordan Bos are all carrying yellow cards, which means a booking would result in suspension for the round of 32. “It’s not something that I need to focus on - I’ll think about that after the game,” Circati said. “Obviously, you need to play keeping yourself a bit aware of that. But you can’t let that affect your match, because I’d rather go past the round and get a yellow card than not pass at all.”
Popovic's Confidence
“We know it’s in our hands and we know what a win does for us tomorrow,” Popovic said. The match is set to be a decisive encounter for both sides.
