Football

Australia handed major World Cup blow as key midfielder ruled out for “several weeks”

October 20, 2022 5:27 pm
Australia handed major World Cup blow as key midfielder ruled out for “several weeks”

Australia have been handed a major blow ahead of the World Cup as midfielder Ajdin Hrustic looks set to be sidelined for several weeks after picking up an injury over the weekend.

The Hellas Verona man was forced off in the 54th minute of his club’s Serie A meeting with AC Milan on Sunday. Hellas Verona have confirmed there is no need for surgery, but that they expect him to be out for several weeks.

The 26-year-old lifted the Europa League trophy with German side Eintracht Frankfurt last season, before making a switch to Italy last month. He has made five appearances for his new club since joining.

It’s unclear exactly how long the attacking midfielder will be out for, with Australia physio Kurt Lisle on his way to Verona to assess the situation, as reported by WAtoday.

AustraliaHrustic key to Australia World Cup qualification

Regarded by many commentators as the nation’s best current player, Hrustic starred in Australia’s qualifying campaign, in what has been a lengthy journey to Qatar for the Socceroos.

Australia eased to top spot in Group B of Second Round Qualifying, winning all eight matches, scoring 28 goals and conceding just twice along the way.

But the standard of competition was raised in the third round, with the nation squeezing their way into the fourth round by a single point. Saudi Arabia and Japan clinched automatic qualification, with Australia finishing just ahead of Oman to make it to the play-offs.

There, the Socceroos first had to overcome a stubborn United Arab Emirates outfit 2-1, before an even closer affair in the inter-confederation play-off against South American side Peru, which Australia won on penalties after a tense goalless draw.

All of that hard work did not go to waste, bringing the nation to their fifth successive World Cup, and sixth overall. But they have been handed a hugely difficult task in Qatar, drawn in Group D to take on France, Tunisia and Denmark.

Further World Cup worry for boss Australia Graham Arnold

Australia manager Graham Arnold won’t want to rule Hrustic out of contention entirely, and is certain to name the midfielder in the final 26-man group, which must be selected no later than 14 November.

Hrustic has been a regular in attacking midfield for his club and country in recent games, with his absence expected to be felt in the build-up to Qatar. The injury has given Arnold plenty to think about, with a handful of players undoubtedly eyeing a spot in the squad given the circumstances.

One option could be West Brom midfielder Tom Rogic, but he has been handed just 120 minutes of action across three games for the Baggies this season. More importantly, however, would be morale around the squad if he was called up, given the fact he missed the World Cup play-offs due to personal reasons. 

Another option is Middlesbrough man Riley McGree, but he is another to have had very limited playing time of late. Both Boro and West Brom are currently struggling at the foot of the Championship table.

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