Former Socceroo Robbie Slater has slammed the Matildas teaching workers and their dealing with of gamers on the Women’s World Cup, calling for them to “come clean” over Sam Kerr’s damage standing.
Kerr rocked Matildas followers when it was introduced an hour earlier than kick-off of Australia’s opening match towards Ireland the celebrity was a late scratching with a calf damage.
It was acknowledged she would miss the opening two matches, however Slater says many in soccer circles imagine she might miss all the event, which might be a devastating blow.
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“I think it’s time they came clean about Kerr’s injury,” Slater wrote in a column for Code Sports.
“Why can’t we get exact news and a real update on the severity of her injury?
“She is the face of the World Cup. I don’t think you need to play mind games with the possibility of (a) round of 16 return or later, just come out and say it.
“The whisper is she won’t play at all. A calf tear is typically a four week injury.
“You talk to any young fans and all they want to know is “how bad is Sam’s injury and when is she going to play?”
“They have a right to know how bad it is and if she is not going to play at all.”
The Matildas have been capable of overcome Kerr’s absence in a 1-0 win over Ireland to get their marketing campaign off to the right begin.
Yet the lack of Kerr has since been compounded by two extra accidents sustained in a coaching session below coach Tony Gustavsson.
Mary Fowler, a back-up striker for Kerr, and veteran midfielder Aivi Luik bizarrely each suffered concussion accidents in coaching on Tuesday which has dominated them each out of the second group match towards Nigeria.
Gustavsson’s tried clarification of what occurred in his pre-match press convention didn’t win him any admirers.
“I totally understand if you didn’t see the training, if I was you sitting out there, I would go like ‘what the heck is happening in trainings?’” Gustavsson stated with a broad smile throughout his face.
“You know two concussions in one training, two days out from the game. But it was a completely normal training, two days out, you always have a high-intensity, medium-sized game… everything was good. We were unlucky, unfortunately two head knocks.”
But that flew within the face of the beliefs of Slater, who represented the Socceroos 44 instances and gained a Premier League title with Blackburn Rovers.
“What is going on with the Matildas?” Slater wrote.
“It’s pretty bizarre and unlucky for more injuries to strike on the eve of a World Cup game, but the question must be asked: What were you doing?
“Everyone knows with sports science that the most crucial day to be light in your training is two days before a game.
“That is the rule: two days before a game you don’t have a heavy session. You only do really light stuff, then the day before a game you have a short and sharp session. Maybe a few sprints and then away you go.
“So how, on what is meant to be a light day, do Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik both come away from training with concussion in separate incidents?
“Why was this session overly physical? It’s great to have competitive sessions, but now it’s left the Matildas exposed – particularly in attack.”
The Matildas conflict with Nigeria kicks off at 8pm AEST on Thursday evening in Brisbane.
Originally printed as Former Socceroo Robbie Slater slams dealing with of Matildas accidents, raises shock Sam Kerr hearsay
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
