Bad luck continues for Socceroos, with a third of Graham Arnold’s Asian Cup squad out of club action

It could be called the curse of the Asian Cup. A third of Graham Arnold’s 23-man squad named for the tournament are not playing for their clubs either because of injury or form.

Socceroos midfielder Tom Rogic is at least 10 days away from returning for Celtic. Picture: Getty Images

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Graham Arnold would be forgiven for feeling like a hex has been hanging over his head since taking charge of the Socceroos.

Because the curse of the Asian Cup has continued unabated since his players returned to their clubs.

A third of the 23-man squad Arnold named last December are currently out of their club team through injury or form.

While Aaron Mooy – arguably Australia’s biggest loss for the tournament – returned from his knee injury a few days after the Socceroos were knocked out in the quarter-finals, others have not been so fortunate.

Dicky knees have been the main complaints sidelining central figures in recent months.

Hibernian winger Martin Boyle, another key member of Arnold’s set-up, is out for the season recovering from knee surgery after his untimely injury days before Australia’s Cup defence.

Playmaker-in-chief Tom Rogic also had an operation on his own troublesome knee and isn’t due to return until Celtic’s Old Firm derby on March 31 at the earliest.

Socceroos midfielder Tom Rogic is at least 10 days away from returning for Celtic. Picture: Getty Images

Mathew Leckie, who spent most of his time in the United Arab Emirates overcoming a hamstring tear, has been struggling since returning to Hertha Berlin and has reportedly strained his calf, while Josh Risdon’s groin issue still has him out of A-League action with Western Sydney.

But injuries are only half the story.

Defenders Trent Sainsbury and Aziz Behich still can’t get off the bench for PSV Eindhoven and haven’t played a single minute between them since the Asian Cup, while Robbie Kruse has been out of VfL Bochum’s squad for a month despite being fully fit and is reportedly set to leave the Bundesliga club.

Add to the mix Matt Jurman, who’s played just 10 minutes off the bench in the Asian Champions League since returning to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.

PSV defender Trent Sainsbury (right) getting some rare action for the club in December’s Champions League clash at Inter Milan. Picture: AFP

There have been the odd positive storylines, with forward Andrew Nabbout back from his groin injury and featuring for Urawa Red Diamonds.

In an odd coincidence, the Socceroos are not playing during the current international window – the first time they haven’t done so in a FIFA window since 2004.

While busy senior players such as Mooy, Mat Ryan, and Mark Milligan will benefit from the break, it doubles as a missed opportunity for others in need of minutes not forthcoming at club level and fringe players looking for a chance.

Socceroo Aziz Behich is also struggling for game time at PSV. Picture: AFP

Part of the reason is that Arnold is currently in Cambodia in his capacity as Olyroos coach attempting to qualify them for a first Olympics since 2008.

It’s also understood another factor is financial to ensure enough there were enough funds to pay for recent Olyroos camps, viewed as invaluable given the lack of time the under-23s have together as a squad.

The Socceroos’ 2022 World Cup qualifiers don’t kick off until later this year, by which point the likes of Celtic attacking starlet Daniel Arzani should be returning – or at least close – from his ACL injury and Boyle should be fit as a fiddle.