Matildas World Cup star Sam Kerr sheds light on her mystery injury as she reveals when she was first fit to play – and what the physios have banned her after winning over Denmark
- If necessary, Sam Kerr could have played in the last World Cup group game
- Matildas skipper said her teammates ‘crushed it’
- Striker made tournament debut in round of 16 victory over Denmark
- Australia will play France or Morocco in the quarterfinals in Brisbane
Matildas captain Sam Kerr has revealed she could have played in the final group game against Canada if necessary – and what she couldn’t do after Monday night’s 2-0 win over Denmark in the World Cup round of 16.
Kerr, 29, came off the bench against the Danes in Sydney to mark her highly anticipated tournament debut on home soil following a calf injury.
The striker played the last 15 minutes and received a smashing reception as she took the fight at Stadium Australia.
She also beamed and ran onto the pitch with a wide smile in a moment that sent the crowd wild and commentator Izzy Christiansen summed up her “flawless leadership.”
“I was supposed to play (the) last game against Canada. (But) the girls smashed it,” Kerr told Channel Seven after the game when she first revealed details about her injury situation.
Matildas captain Sam Kerr finally got some World Cup minutes under her belt in Monday’s round of 16 victory over Denmark
Kerr revealed after the game that she could have played in the last group game against Canada if necessary – and what she couldn’t do after the 2-0 win over the Danes
‘They didn’t need me. We thought we’d give it a rest. Today (Monday) there was the possibility that I wouldn’t play (again) if the girls broke it.
“We thought it was best for me and the team (playing them off the bench). The girls absolutely killed it. I am so proud of them. The fact that I came in person was just a big relief after three weeks.’
When later asked if she will start in Brisbane’s Matildas quarter-final against France or Morocco on Saturday in Brisbane, Kerr didn’t give much away.
“I mean, I have a plan,” she said. ‘The physios (also) have a plan.
“I asked them if I could run after the game and they said no, so I’m sure I’ll just follow their plan like I’ve been doing for the past few weeks.”
Kerr (pictured right) was all smiles as she replaced teammate Hayley Raso in the 79th minute
Kerr also received the captain’s armband from Steph Catley as she marked her maiden appearance at the 2023 World Cup
Kerr couldn’t keep the smile off her face as she ran onto the pitch in a moment that sent the crowd wild, with commentator Izzy Christiansen summing up her “flawless leadership.”
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson didn’t need Kerr when he did, with Australia leading 2–0 late in the second half.
But the Swede says after much deliberation it was decided it was best to bring his skipper back into playing time ahead of potentially longer minutes later in the tournament.
“We talked a lot with Sam about when we used here and whether she needed minutes to prepare mentally or physically for the next game,” Gustavsson said.
“That means there’s a risk, and how much are you willing to risk? It’s a tough decision.’
The kick-off on Saturday against France or Morocco in the quarter-finals of the World Cup is at 5 p.m. in Brisbane.