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An injured Australian pair, Mathew Leckie and Jacob Italiano, have been ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup ahead of the Socceroos’ last-32 clash against Egypt.
Striker Leckie suffered a hamstring injury during a Group D match against the United States, while right-back Italiano tore a groin muscle during a training session.
The dual injury blow forces Australia to navigate the high-stakes knockout rounds with a reduced 24-man roster.
The losses present a significant challenge for coach Tony Popovic as his squad prepares to face Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in Dallas on July 3.
Football Australia released a statement thanking both players for their contributions and wishing them a speedy recovery.
Despite the roster setback, defender Aziz Behich confirmed that the team remains full of energy and confidence as they transition into the single-elimination phase of the tournament.
