Subway Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic will be without A-Leagues pair Mathew Leckie and Craig Goodwin for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers with Japan and Saudi Arabia after both were overlooked due to injury.
Winner of the Joe Marston Medal during City’s 1-0 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final triumph over rivals Melbourne Victory on Saturday night, City star Leckie was set to be included in Popovic’s squad but was subsequently overlooked due to a combination of injuries picked up both before and during the Grand Final.
Catching an accidental Zinedine Machach boot to the face during the game which left him in a bandaged and bloodied mess for the remainder of the second-half, Leckie also revealed post-game that he suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the week.
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“I just wanted to get through Friday’s session,” said Leckie when speaking about the aforementioned hamstring issue after the win over Melbourne Victory. “It didn’t feel too bad, and then with medication and stuff [it was possible to play].
“It wasn’t the best feeling, but it didn’t really restrict me from everything — just pain. Lucky with that, I guess.
“This (referencing the gashes on his nose) just sums up the whole season for me; It’s obviously been an unlucky one with injuries. My body sort of let me down this season, and I haven’t been able to contribute much to the team.
“For me, it was important to give everything tonight for the boys and just be a part of a special night.”
Speaking on Sunday having just revealed his 26-man squad to face Japan and Saudi Arabia in the Socceroos’ two crucial FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, head coach Popovic revealed the injury news ultimately meant the Melbourne City Champion had to be overlooked.
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“Yeah it’s a shame,” said Popovic when asked about the exclusion of Leckie. “We were on the flight so I didn’t see the game live, but I watched the game back this morning, and you know, he was very worthy of winning the Man of the Match award.
“I thought he was outstanding in the game, and it’s why we had him in the squad because for big matches, he can provide the experience and quality that you need in big moments.
He added: “And it’s a shame for him, shame for us, but I’m sure he’ll wake up feeling a little better after winning the final.”
Totalling 729 minutes throughout the entirety of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League campaign, Leckie has battled a series of knee and muscular issues which limited him to to just six starts in 15 appearances.
Meanwhile A-Leagues legend Craig Goodwin also missed out on selection for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers due to a foot injury, with Popovic subsequently revealing the 33-year-old requires surgery on the issue.
“Injured, he pulled out,” said Popovic when asked why the attacker wasn’t listed in the 26-man squad.
“He has a foot problem and will be requiring surgery. So, yeah, not available.
Asked how long Goodwin will be out for, Popovic replied: “I’m not sure at the moment he hasn’t had the surgery, I think it’s sometime in June, middle of June.
“It’s something that he’s tried to avoid but, you know, he wasn’t able to be available for this camp, and I’m sure he’ll be ready to go for the upcoming A-League season.
Popovic later added: “I think the last month or so, he’s been trying to get through the games. It’s something I think he’s had ongoing for a while, but being able to manage it, and it’s just got to a point that, you know, he needs to intervene.”
Having recently spent time over in the Middle East with Saudi Pro League side Al-Wehda, Goodwin recently announced his return to Adelaide United on a three-year deal.
Departing the Reds at the end of the 2022-23 Isuzu UTE A-League season having won the Johnny Warren Medal, Goodwin is back in South Australia for a fourth permanent stint at his boyhood club.
