Matildas star Caitlin Foord reveals the shocking black eye she suffered against Sweden – and explains why the World Cup loss was her ‘worst nightmare’
- Foord was injured in a physical collision with the Swedish skipper
- Played the rest of the game with a head bandage
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Caitlin Foord has revealed the painful-looking black eye she suffered during the Women’s World Cup loss to Sweden, which she describes as her ‘worst nightmare’.
Foord collided with Swedish captain Kosovare Asllani before half time but fought on, head bandaged, throughout the 2–0 bronze play-off defeat.
She posted a photo of her black and blue face on Instagram on Sunday after she and her teammates were honored with the key to the city at an awards ceremony in Brisbane.
Accompanying the image were the words: ‘The star is making good progress. Thanks for all the messages.’
Foord looked like she was just boxing instead of playing soccer when she revealed the condition of her black eye on Instagram
Matildas star Hayley Raso tends to Foord (right, on the ground) after her head clash with Swedish skipper Kosovare Asllani left both players on the turf
Foord played in the 4-3 loss to the USA in the bronze medal playoff at the Tokyo Olympics and said the defeat to Sweden in the World Cup third place playoff was a case of déja vu.
“It hurts to be here and get so close and fall short again,” she said.
“The exact same thing happened at the Olympics and it was my worst nightmare that it would happen again and it has happened again.
“We just need to grow and learn from it and never let this happen again.
“I feel we deserved to get something out of this tournament. I know we did, but for us personally it’s very disappointing not to have anything around our necks.’
The Matildas will campaign in the Paris Olympic qualifiers in October and will build to play in a final in 2024.
“I think we have to be at our best every game and every moment, and hopefully some luck will come our way,” she said.
Luck has fallen to the other teams in the last two games.
“Sometimes that just happens. I think you create your own happiness and that will happen for us as we move forward. We’ll win something.’
The hard-hitting Aussie played out the rest of the loss with her head bandaged
Foord (left, wearing sunglasses) brightened up on Sunday when the Matildas were treated to a surprise performance of their unofficial team song, Strawberry Kisses, by pop star Nikki Webster (centre) at an awards ceremony in Brisbane
Foord showed the commitment and resilience that has been her trademark in the quarterfinals.
She said she had no intention of leaving the field with her injury.
If only there wasn’t any blood. I’m not good with blood,’ she said.
“I think if that had happened it would have been a different story.
“This wouldn’t stop me. I wanted to give everything and wanted to leave everything there.
“I would have taken this (shiner) with a medal around my neck. I think it just hurts a little more that there’s nothing to see.’
Foord allayed fears that she may have suffered a concussion.
‘I was completely fine. I knew what was happening. I could say the score, who we played against and who we played last,” she said.
“I passed all the tests. I didn’t black out. It’s just an egg turned into a bruise.”