Australia forced into changes for Paraguay World Cup finale

Australia forced – Australia head into their World Cup Group D finale against Paraguay in Santa Clara with injury-enforced changes after Jacob Italiano was ruled out, while Mat Leckie also sustained a hamstring strain. Coach Tony Popovic refused to narrow down his selection plan

Thursday’s training session has ended up shaping Australia’s World Cup group finale before anyone even steps onto the field in Santa Clara.

The right-back Jacob Italiano, part of Australia’s starting XI against the USA, has been ruled out with an adductor injury picked up at training this week. He will miss the Group D match against Paraguay, which kicks off on Thursday (Friday 5am AEST).

It comes on top of another blow already in play: winger Mat Leckie, who suffered a hamstring strain against the USA, is also set to be absent for the final group game.

Tony Popovic, facing the inevitable questions about who comes in, stayed deliberately guarded about the replacements. “We’re always considering all possibilities because we’ve always shown faith in every player that’s here. ” the coach said. “Since we’ve started this journey. every player that’s in our squad knows he has a chance of playing and that’s no different for tomorrow.”.

For Italiano’s spot. Jason Geria — who played on the right side of central defence in the second half against the USA — and Kai Trewin — who started for the Socceroos at full-back in the warm-up match against Switzerland — are the most likely options. Popovic didn’t rule out a broader shift. though. leaving open the possibility of changing the system rather than simply swapping personnel.

The selection debate around Leckie is even noisier. Nestory Irankunda, Connor Metcalfe and Cristian Volpato — all of whom made strong claims after starring in the final half an hour against the USA — have been linked with a starting role.

Popovic was asked directly about the difference between starting fan favourite Irankunda and bringing him on from the bench. but he declined to spell out his thinking. “We’ll keep that at the basic level of analysis. which is. people are happy if a player plays and people are unhappy if they see a player they like that doesn’t play. ” he said.

What Popovic did focus on was the team’s overall performance and what it will take to finish the job. “We played nine players [against the USA] that played the first match so we’re more disappointed in the performance. not so much in who played and who didn’t play. We improved that performance in the second half. which really pleases us. and the players that came on made an impact.”.

He added: “Whoever starts tomorrow I know can build a strong foundation and whoever comes on can finish what we’ve started.”

The match itself is loaded with consequences for the standings. Australia will secure second place with a win or a draw against Paraguay. who arrive with a key absence: Miguel Almirón is suspended. The winger was sent off for covering his mouth during a confrontation in his side’s 1-0 victory over Turkey. after spending six years at Newcastle in the Premier League.

Between Australia’s late injury complications and Paraguay’s missing name from their lineup, Group D’s finale has the feel of a match where small decisions—fitness, roles, timing—could decide who moves on and who has to watch from the outside.

Australia Paraguay World Cup Group D finale Santa Clara Jacob Italiano Mat Leckie Tony Popovic Nestory Irankunda Miguel Almirón