Revealed: The Sam Kerr question that left Ian Wright dumbfounded – as Arsenal legend calls another Matildas star who can ‘go as far in the sport as she wants’
Revealed: Sam Kerr question that left Ian Wright dumbfounded – as Arsenal legend calls another Matildas star who can ‘go as far in the sport as she wants’
- Wright puzzled by the reporter’s question
- Says the Matildas have been “brilliant.”
- Believes that a lesser known player is world class
Former England footballer Ian Wright had nothing but praise for the Matildas after their 2-0 win over Denmark – but a question about the team’s biggest star left him scratching his head.
The Matildas are one step closer to a historic triumph after cruising past the Danes at Sydney’s Stadium Australia in Sydney on Monday night.
Wright, who attended the opening of the Sam Kerr x EA SPORTS FC Futures Football Pitch in Lidcombe on Tuesday morning, was very impressed with the Aussies.
“It’s great,” said the Arsenal legend. “I think they’ve been brilliant – and long may it continue to be so for them…unless they get England.”
Sam Kerr made her first appearance of the tournament against the Scandinavians and took the field to thunderous applause towards the end of the match.
Ian Wright was stunned after a reporter’s question about star striker Sam Kerr
Wright said calf injuries can be so problematic they are worse than hamstring strains and he was pleased with what he saw from Sam Kerr
Wright was pleased with the few minutes he saw the Australian captain in action, explaining how difficult calf injuries can be to straighten out – pointing out that they can be even trickier than notoriously troublesome hamstring strains.
A reporter asked Wright if there was any chance Kerr’s return to the team could upset things now, leaving the Englishman dumbfounded.
‘Are you serious? Are you serious?’ Wright said.
“We are talking about perhaps the No. 9 litter in the world. It doesn’t matter, with all due respect, who plays in front.
“When Sam Kerr is fit, she plays. And if I were the manager, she plays.
“They’ve done a fantastic job getting into this situation because they know that at some point Sam Kerr will be fit and come into this team.
“This team knows that. This team wants that because they know that when it gets to the point where it’s on the line, they’re going to deliver.
“I can’t answer that question.”
The Arsenal icon thinks the Aussies should now be regarded as one of the favorites to win their home World Cup
Wright is very impressed with Matildas midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross (pictured in action against Denmark)
During the second half of Australia’s 4-0 thumping of Canada, Wright tweeted, “Cooney-Cross bro.”
On Monday, he expanded on what he thought of the Matildas midfielder.
“She can go as far as she wants,” Wright said.
“Recently we saw a list of teams that want her. It is clear that Arsenal want her – Juventus… all teams.
“Her ability, her consciousness, her passing. She is next on the block in terms of world-class players.”
Australia will next play France’s winner against Morocco in Brisbane on Saturday and Wright believes the Matildas should now be among the favorites to lift the World Cup trophy.
“I don’t know what else to say about the capabilities of the Australian side,” said Wright.
“And now that Sam Kerr is back, you have to say the way they play, with the crowd behind them – 75,000 again last night – you have to say they are one of the favorites to win the tournament.”
