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Socceroos Lose Matthew Leckie And Matthew Spiranovic For World Cup Qualifiers

Socceroos Suffer Double Blow Ahead Of World Cup Qualifiers
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 09: Socceroos Coach Ange Postecoglou watches on during a Australian Socceroos training session at GIO Stadium on November 9, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Postles/Getty Images)
Stefan Postles via Getty Images
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 09: Socceroos Coach Ange Postecoglou watches on during a Australian Socceroos training session at GIO Stadium on November 9, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Postles/Getty Images)

The Socceroos have been dealt a double blow ahead of two crucial World Cup qualifying matches in the next week with star players Matthew Leckie and Matthew Spiranovic ruled unfit to play.

Leckie has fallen ill and has been advised not to fly while Spiranovic is sidelined with a calf injury for Thursday's clash with Kyrgyzstan and Tuesday's match against Bangladesh. To make matters worse, first-choice goalkeeper Mat Ryan is also in doubt.

The match against Kyrgyzstan is the Socceroos' fifth in the eight match second round of the World Cup qualifying process.

Following a surprise loss to Jordan in the last game, Australia sits second in Group B of the Asian Confederation with three wins and one loss, adding to the importance of the home match against Kyrgyzstan, with the next in just five days against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

However coach Ange Postecolgou has said that despite the loss, he will not be changing the team tactics and the fans should have faith.

While on paper the Australians would seem to have the form needed to defeat its Central Asian opponent, this match is also seen as a crucial one for Kyrgyzstan which, at this stage of the process, has two wins, one loss and two draws.

The team's captain Mile Jedinak, who was missed in the Jordan game, is back as are the impressive youngsters Massimo Luongo and Tommy Rogic who will try to control the tempo of the game through possession while veterans Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan bring the element of experience to the side.

At the back of the Australians' minds will be the fact the team have a short turnaround to the next match which is in just five days against Bangladesh, in Dhaka.

This match has presented much cause for concern following recent security issues in Bangladesh with the FFA proposing the location of the match be moved to a neutral venue. However FIFA is holding firm and declaring the match will go ahead in Dhaka as originally scheduled.

Despite the impending match in Bangladesh, the Australian team's focus is firmly on the match in Canberra against Kyrgyzstan and Postecoglou says the team is ready to roll.

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