HETA HITS OUT AT ‘DISGRACEFUL’ ONLINE ABUSE AFTER AUSTRALIA WORLD CUP EXIT
13/06/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
DAMON HETA has hit out at “disgraceful” online abuse after Australia suffered a shock group-stage exit at the World Cup.
The Heat, who won the tournament in 2022, failed to progress from Group G for the first time in Australia’s history since the event began in 2010.
World No20 Heta and new partner Adam Leek suffered defeats to both the USA and Canada to bow out early in Frankfurt.
Heta insisted the pair earned their place on the big stage and reflected on the pressures of representing their country at a major tournament.
He wrote on X: “Unfortunately, that’s the end of the road for Australia in this year’s World Cup.
“Only a small percentage of people will ever understand what it’s like to pull on their country’s colours and represent them at the highest level.
“Every single person who wears their country’s stage giving 110% and doing everything they can to get the win. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out.
“I remember my first time on the big stage back in 2014 — I got whipped 6–0.
“I played on stage a few more times between then and my first World Cup in 2020, and let me tell you, there’s no greater pressure than stepping onto that stage in the Green & Gold for the first time.
“You want to do yourself justice, your partner justice, and your country justice.
“I want to thank Adam for being up on that stage with me and wearing the colours proudly.
“Fresh on the scene and competing on a stage like that for the first time, he conducted himself well.”
Heta hit out at the online trolls who directed abuse towards him and debutant Leek following their campaign.
He added: “The comments and DMs I’ve read on social media over the last few days have been disgraceful.
“Nobody tears you down more than people from your own country.
“This is my seventh World Cup, and I’m a seasoned player, so I know how toxic it is, but it’s still sad to see.
“Both Adam and I earned our spots — end of story!! We’ll see you all back on the World Cup stage in 2027.”
