'Devastating' World Cup blow rocks Socceroos

1 year ago 64

Australia has copped a crushing stroke connected the cusp of the FIFA World Cup with attacker Martin Boyle ruled retired of the tourney aft failing to flooded a genu injury.

Melbourne City guardant Marco Tilo has been added to the Socceroos' 26-man squad arsenic the replacement for Boyle, who suffered the wounded during a crippled with Hibernian successful the Scottish Premiership 3 weeks ago.

In affirmative Socceroos news, midfielder Ajdin Hrustic has been cleared to play successful the Socceroos' tournament-opening lucifer against France connected Wednesday greeting (AEDT).

"Devastating quality for Martin and the family," said Socceroos manager Graham Arnold.

"We beauteous overmuch knew it was going to beryllium touch-and-go erstwhile we selected him ... we were astir apt 80-20 that Boyle would person been out, but we had to springiness him each past accidental to effort and get fit, particularly due to the fact that of the sacrifices and everything that he's done done the full campaign.

"Boyle's been truthful important close done this full run — he's been astir apt 1 of our champion players.

"But the aesculapian unit person done everything they perchance can. Yesterday was beauteous overmuch the past accidental and it didn't travel done well.

"Martin is successful large spirits. He's going to enactment connected present and beryllium portion of it still. He brings specified large vigor to the camp.

"Now it's astir getting the remainder of the players ready."

Hrustic was besides racing the timepiece aft hurting an ankle during a lucifer with Hellas Verona successful Italy's Serie A.

Arnold said Hrustic would not commencement against France but would beryllium utilized disconnected the seat and beryllium disposable for the Socceroos' pursuing games against Tunisia and Denmark.

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!