Socceroos struggle with striker injuries before crucial qualifier

The Australian national soccer team, the Socceroos, is close to qualifying for their sixth consecutive World Cup. However, they still struggle to find reliable strikers. The team is feeling the impact of injuries to Adam Taggart and Kusini Yengi. Head coach Tony Popovic's squad recently traveled to Hangzhou, China, for a crucial match. Taggart and Yengi did not make the trip due to their injuries. Taggart hurt his groin during a match against Indonesia, while Yengi has been battling hamstring issues. In response, veteran striker Mitch Duke has joined the team from Japan. Duke and Brandon Borrello are now the primary forwards. While Duke has experience, he has not been playing much lately. Borrello typically plays a wider position and may not be suited as a central striker. Martin Boyle usually plays as a forward in Scotland but expressed doubts about playing the same role for the Socceroos. He believes he can fill in, but is focused on his current position as a winger. A win against China, who ranks 90th in the world, could help Australia secure their World Cup qualification with fewer points needed in upcoming matches. This win could also allow Popovic to start experimenting with new strategies and players. As it stands, none of the available strikers are guaranteed to deliver. Yengi is a promising option but has injury concerns. Duke is aging and needs more playing time. Taggart, while talented, also faces physical challenges. Meanwhile, players like Noah Botic are making a case for themselves by performing well in domestic leagues. If qualified, Popovic will have plenty of time to test new combinations and solidify the team ahead of the World Cup. FIFA’s decision to expand the tournament offers the Socceroos a longer preparation period.