Sam Kerr is on the bench for Matildas’ do-or-die clash with Canada as the Australian superstar fails to win the race against time to start the women’s World Cup match
- Sam Kerr is on the bench for tonight’s do-or-die Matildas game
- The Australian superstar is struggling with a calf injury
- Tony Gustavsson chose not to start the attacker
Australia have finally called on Sam Kerr ahead of their deadly showdown with Canada at the World Cup.
The Matildas have had it without Kerr, 29, so far this tournament after the Chelsea star injured her calf on the eve of their opening game against Ireland in a bitter blow to the hosts.
Kerr has insisted she will play in the final group game against the Maple Leafs, with the country sweating over her availability after last week’s defeat to Nigeria left Australia on the brink of elimination.
The hosts need to beat Canada, or draw and hope Ireland can please them against the Super Falcons to progress to the last 16.
And coach Tony Gustavsson has made the difficult decision to bench Kerr for the big game in Melbourne.
Kerr will play against Canada tonight in the do-or-die final group game against Canada, but will be used off the bench
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson is under immense pressure to keep his job after the side lost to Nigeria, but laughed when asked repeatedly if Kerr had trained today
The Matildas captain was spotted with her calf heavily strapped on the day of the big game against Canada that will decide their World Cup fate
It comes after Socceroos great Robbie Slater called on Sam Kerr to ‘play from the opening whistle’ in the Matildas’ do-or-die clash.
“While it’s hard to imagine Kerr’s injured calf making a full recovery after she strained it at least two weeks ago, there’s no point in further delaying her comeback if she says she’s fit,” Slater wrote in a statement. column. for Code Sports.
“Starting her on the bench in Melbourne and bringing her onto the pitch, a likely substitution scenario if the Matildas desperately need a goal in the second half, would be another mistake by coach Tony Gustavsson.
“Instead, Kerr should play from the opening whistle.”
Former Matildas star Amy Chapman and Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer had previously called for Kerr to be used off the bench to preserve her damaged calf.
Slater called on the Matildas to push in all their chips and play Kerr from the first whistle to ensure they escape the group stage
Plenty of Matildas fans are hoping to see Kerr play at her home World Cup and will get their chance against Canada tonight
Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer repeatedly pressed coach Gustavsson on Kerr’s fitness, but his questions were diverted
Gustavsson is under immense pressure after the defeat in Nigeria and denied the question of whether Kerr trained five times today when interviewed today by the most capped Socceroos player, Mark Schwarzer.
“I’m not going to comment on who trains and who doesn’t. What I can say is that she had an individual plan, like every player, and some players were adjusted today, some players who had minutes yesterday, and did some individual things today as well. So when you say every player trains, but very differently,” he said.
Schwarzer: “So she didn’t train?”
Gustavsson: “It depends what you mean, trained with the team.”
Schwarzer: ‘Put on your football boots and train with the team.’
Gustavsson: ‘She was wearing football boots. Yes.’
Schwarzer: “So she didn’t train with the team?”
Matilda’s mentor laughed at the last question.