The “heartbroken” Matildas have rallied round fallen skipper Sam Kerr, whose FIFA Women’s World Cup marketing campaign has been jeopardised by a calf harm.
Kerr was a shock exclusion from Australia’s group that beat Ireland 1-0 in Thursday night time’s Group B conflict in Sydney.
The Chelsea star harm her calf the day earlier than at a closed coaching session, however the Matildas stored the harm a secret till the groups have been introduced an hour earlier than kick-off.
Kerr has additionally been dominated of the Matildas’ conflict with Nigeria in Brisbane subsequent Thursday night time and, relying on the severity of the harm, might miss extra video games.
Matildas right-back Ellie Carpenter stated the group “played” and “won” for Kerr towards Ireland.
“It was heartbreaking for Sam personally, and for us (we were) also heartbroken, but we know that she was with us for the whole 90 minutes, and we played for her, we won for her and we know that she’ll be back with us soon,” Carpenter stated.
“Being in a team environment, everyone gets around each other during the hard times, and the good times as well, being there no matter what.
“We’re all there for her like she’s always there for us during (hard) times.
“This is the most important time (that) we all rally around her, and we know that she’ll get herself right to come help us in the later stages (of the World Cup).”
Carpenter stated she was “proud” of her teammates for placing the Kerr drama behind them to open Australia’s World Cup marketing campaign on a profitable word by way of a penalty from Steph Catley, who wore the captain’s armband within the absence of the group’s common skipper.
“It was a bit of a rollercoaster. It wasn’t the prettiest game of football, but we knew coming into the game that Ireland were very physical, we knew it was going to be very end-to-end (and) transitional, and we knew all about one moment,” she stated.
“Steph stepping up (was) very brave. I knew she was going to (score) that penalty.
“Sometimes you just have to win, it doesn’t have to be pretty, and on to the next (game).
“Now that we’ve checked that first game off, got out all of our nerves, I think we’re going to really hit the ground running in the next game.
“We’re really going to take advantage of the recovery (time) and be as fresh as we can be for Nigeria.”
Originally revealed as Matildas dedicate FIFA Women’s World Cup win over Ireland to injured captain Sam Kerr
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
