Sam Kerr was keen to additional injury her already injured calf if the Matildas wanted her assist to beat Canada and safe a FIFA Women’s World Cup round-of-16 berth.
However, all went to plan for the Matildas on a memorable evening for Australian soccer, with star striker and captain Kerr watching the whole sport from the bench as her facet thrashed the surprisingly poor Canadians to not solely attain the match’s knockout phases but additionally declare prime spot in Group B.
Kerr had stated two days earlier than the match that she was “available” for choice after lacking Australia’s video games in opposition to Ireland and Nigeria as a result of calf harm she suffered on the eve of the match.
However, indicators had been apparent earlier than Monday evening’s match in Melbourne that Kerr – who had been named among the many substitutes – was nonetheless being saved in cotton wool as she took no half within the workforce warm-up.
And with the Matildas comfortably main 2-0 at halftime, Kerr additionally didn’t kick the ball round with the opposite substitutes through the break between halves.
“I was informed (by medical staff) that she’s available but for limited minutes,” Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson stated.
“We agreed together that if we can win us (another) week for her to not risk her to reinjure herself, we’re going to try to protect her and try to win without her. That was always the aim.
“If we would have been in a situation where we would have needed her, she was willing to take that risk and come on.
“We didn’t, and we’re all happy about that.”
Gustavsson stated Kerr had been “clear” to not let it “get to that point”.
“(Kerr told the team) ‘make sure you win without me, so I can get another week to train and recover and get healthy’,” he stated.
“The team responded and said ‘yes we will, you sit on the bench tonight and we’ll win for you’.”
The Matildas now don’t play till subsequent Monday evening in opposition to the Group D runners-up – who shall be decided on Tuesday evening when England performs China, and Denmark meets Haiti – at Sydney’s Stadium Australia.
The August 7 conflict will come 19 days after Kerr injured her calf.
Socceroos nice Robbie Slater stated relying on the harm’s severity, which has not been disclosed, it might be sufficient time for Kerr to declare herself absolutely match.
“If it’s a minor strain, she should be fine by then,” Slater stated.
“It’ll be almost three weeks and that’s about the recovery timeframe.”
However, no matter how match Kerr is, Slater could be shocked if she began within the round-of-16 battle.
“Going on what happened (against Canada), I’d be very surprised if she started,” he stated.
“I think she’ll be on the bench again. He (Gustavsson) has shown his hand.”
Source: www.news.com.au
