Tom Rogic Absent from Strengthening the Australian National Team

DBasia.news – Australia’s hopes of reaching the 2022 World Cup finals were dealt a heavy blow when Tom Rogic withdrew from the squad for the Asian qualifier playoff match against the United Arab Emirates in Doha.

The attacking midfielder, who is almost certain to start the game after a successful season with Scottish champions Celtic, cited personal reasons for his resignation in the June 7 game.

No replacements will be added to the squad, which is already in Doha preparing for the match, and coach Graham Arnold, quoted by Reuters on Tuesday, said Rogic’s withdrawal was “unfortunate”.

“My focus now must be on the players we have here in Qatar,” he added in a Football Australia statement.

“We have selected an expanded squad of quality players and I am confident that we will achieve something special for Australia over the next two weeks.”

The winner of that match will face Peru in an international playoff in the Qatari capital six days later for a place in the finals.