Striker Adam Taggart has been sidelined in the Subway Socceroos squad, with forward Mitch Duke stepping in after the Perth Glory skipper suffered a groin injury during the team’s emphatic 5-1 victory against Indonesia.
In a further setback for head coach Tony Popovic, Portsmouth FC forward Kusini Yengi has also been removed from the squad due to a minor hamstring issue sustained in training.
Originally given a starting position by Socceroos boss Popovic, Taggart was substituted at half-time during the match at Allianz Stadium after he appeared to be struggling with his groin.
Taggart’s discomfort was evident throughout the first half, leading to his inability to continue into the second period. Following the match, Popovic confirmed that the forward will be assessed prior to the squad’s departure for China.
Sadly for Taggart, further scans revealed that he will not be fit enough to participate in Tuesday’s vital World Cup qualifier against China in Hangzhou, prompting Duke’s inclusion in the squad as his replacement.
Yengi’s injury adds to Popovic’s woes, as he heads back to the UK, also ruled out for the upcoming match in Hangzhou.
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Yengi’s injury, which occurred during a training session, leaves Popovic with just one experienced striker, Duke, who will head straight to the team’s training base from Japan. Duke had only recently returned from a holiday after being left out of the original squad.
As the Socceroos prepare for Tuesday’s crucial meeting with China, they currently sit second in World Cup qualifying Group C, holding a vital one-point cushion over third-placed Saudi Arabia.
With an unbeaten run since Popovic took over, the Socceroos are aiming to replicate their previous 3-1 victory over China in October 2024, which was Popovic’s inaugural match in charge of the national team.
Following the encounter in Hangzhou, Popovic’s side will face an already-qualified Japan at Optus Stadium in Perth this June before they encounter Saudi Arabia in their decisive qualification matches, with the top two teams ensured an automatic berth at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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