Matildas captain Sam Kerr had a ball at her toes and appears set for her long-awaited return in Monday’s must-win World Cup conflict with Denmark after smiling her method by means of coaching on Thursday.
Music was blaring from the audio system on the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre because the Matildas warmed up for his or her session listening to Shania Twain’s hit, Man I Feel Like A Woman.
“It was a banger – that was a good choice,” Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold stated.
The Matildas took to the sphere in Brisbane for the group’s first coaching session since their gorgeous demolition of Canada which ensured progressing out of the group phases.
Arnold confirmed that Kerr, who’s but to play within the World Cup because of a calf damage, took half within the session, and had her personal coaching program as she continued her bid to play towards the Danes.
She has her personal particular person plan that she’s doing with the physician and physio, getting her prepared to affix in with the group,’ Arnold stated of the Matildas captain.
“What she had to do, she looked like she was quite comfortable doing it, and she was in high spirits after the (session), so I assumed it all went well.”
Midfielder Katrina Gorry, who was in a moon boot on Tuesday after injuring her ankle and soccer in Australia’s 4-0 thrashing of Canada, didn’t appear to be in any discomfort whereas warming up with the remainder of the squad.
Coach Tony Gustavsson was capable of depart Kerr on the bench within the 4-0 win giving the celebrity striker an additional seven days to recover from her troublesome calf damage.
3:10PM WORLD CUP BOYCOTT: HOW A BROKEN TEAM UNITED
What a distinction a month makes.
Four weeks in the past, South Africa’s World Cup gamers boycotted a deliberate send-off sport towards Botswana to rejoice their departure for the match.
There had been objections that ranged from World Cup compensation, to the situation of the sphere, and it was clear there was an enormous cut up rising in South African soccer.
Fast ahead only one month, and the Banyana Banyana are the toast of the city following their historic qualification for the knockout rounds – an achievement which has doubled their match earnings.
Star striker Hildah Magaia – referred to as the breadwinner within the group, for her ending capacity – stated: “I’ll be able to help my family and do everything for my mother, because I’m the one taking care of her.”
Magaia, who scored to place South Africa 2-1 up towards Italy of their dramatic 3-2 win stated of her second purpose on the match: “Without the breadwinner, there is no bread.
“I had to provide the bread for the nation. It really means a lot, especially knowing that we were so close to going home.”
The victory was lauded by coach Desiree Ellis who gave a passionate post-game speech through which she described her gamers as warriors.
“They fought like warriors, they fought like heroines that we know they are
“They fought to be historically remembered and they made history.
“Not just getting our first win but going through to the round of 16. And that, is fricken amazing.
“These girls have come through every challenge we had to face in the past. I mean, also no one gave us a chance today, but we knew what we were capable of.
“They fought like warriors out there today, and we said we needed to keep our best players no the pitch and we managed that by not pressing all the time.
“This win is for everyone back home, those also who woke up in the early hours of the morning to support us.
“This is for everyone involved in women’s football.”
2:30PM ‘TOXIC PIMP’: SICKENING ATTACK ON WORLD CUP STAR
Team USA celebrity Megan Rapinoe has been labelled ‘unpatriotic’ and ‘the Andrew Tate of LGBTQ feminism’ in a unprecedented assault by an outspoken US sports activities commentator.
Former ESPN and Fox Sports worker Jason Whitlock, who now hosts the Fearless with Jason Whitlock program on conservative media firm Blaze Media, stated he’s not supporting the USA at this World Cup and is actively cheering for them to lose their knock-out conflict with Sweden on Sunday.
And the explanation, it appears, boils all the way down to their star Rapinoe – who has used her standing as one of many sport’s greatest names and been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, equality in soccer and different progressive campaigns.
Comparing Rapinoe to controversial right-wing social media persona Andrew Tate, who’s at present dealing with expenses of rape and human trafficking in Romania, Whitlock stated the veteran winger is the ‘ultimate pimp’ and ‘a fraud’.
“In the history of sports, no team has needed a comeuppance more than our women’s soccer team,” Whitlock stated.
“Rooting against this American Nightmare is not unpatriotic. Rooting for them is.
“Rapinoe is the ultimate pimp. She is the Andrew Tate of LGBTQ feminism. She sees herself as a force for good, a force for freedom and proper femininity.
“She believes she is a threat to the establishment. She is popular, she is wealthy beyond her imagination, sexually liberated and adored by her followers.
“She is a fraud. She hates America because she hates herself. She is toxic. Her attitude pervades the national team.
“At 38, she is only on the roster to further burnish her brand.”
The two-time defending champions solely scraped by means of to the Round of 16 on the again of a goalless draw towards Portugal.
Rapinoe, who has 201 worldwide caps and has scored 63 objectives, is ready to retire after the match.
1.45PM: IS THIS THE GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT?
Last night time’s Panama-France sport was wild – for a lot of causes. Not least of all the ultimate rating of 6-3, to the French.
But it additionally had an absolute firecracker free kick that ought to completely be in dialog for purpose of the match – and it got here after simply 69 seconds.
But is it the purpose of the match?
There are sturdy contenders – like Colombia teen Linda Caicedo’s freakish footwork and strike towards Germany, and Bia Zaneratto end off a wonderful group purpose for Brazil towards Panama.
Katie McCabe scored an impressive Olympico purpose direct from a nook to present Ireland towards Canada, and Lauren James’ blistering shot by means of visitors for England.
What comes out on high for you?
12:15PM THE IMAGES WE HAVE ALL WAITED FOR
Sam Kerr won’t have accomplished an enormous quantity however for the primary time this World Cup she’s been pictured with a ball at her toes and accomplished a full coaching session along with her Matildas teammates.
As Australia’s showdown knock out conflict with Denmark approaches we await news on the striker’s health, however there have been encouraging indicators from coaching this morning with Kerr participating.
The thriller over the calf damage, which has dominated Kerr out of the final three group matches, stays however followers will probably be relieved to see her laced up and collaborating.
Kyah Simon was the one participant not concerned on this morning’s session and from what we are able to collect, nobody was concussed both.
11.20AM: BRAZIL LEGEND’S HEARTBREAKING ‘NIGHTMARE’ FINISH
Brazilian champion Marta, recognised because the GOAT for her unbelievable two-decade profession on the high of the ladies’s sport, has delivered an emotional remaining interview in her farewell to the World Cup.
The 37-year-old, who made her World Cup debut in 2003, seemed shell-shocked as she revealed this group stage was ‘not even in my worst nightmares’.
It is the primary time Brazil have failed to succeed in the knockout rounds since 1995, a end result which was confirmed by their disappointing 0-0 draw with shock packets Jamaica.
“It’s hard to talk at a time like this. Not even in my worst nightmares was it the World Cup I dreamed of,” stated Marta.
“But it is only the beginning, the Brazilian people ask for renewal, and there is renewal.
“The only old one is me, most of them (team-mates) are young girls with enormous talent, it’s just the beginning for them.
“I end here, but they continue.”
Marta, who has handled damage troubles in recent times, confirmed there can be no fairytale encore.
“Marta ends here, there is no more World Cup for Marta,” she stated.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have one more World Cup and very happy with what is happening with women’s football in the world.”
10.30AM: HEROIC WORLD CUP MATCHWINNER’S TRAGIC REVEAL
South African World Cup hero Thembi Kgatlana, who scored the injury-time winner to defeat Italy and attain the knockout rounds for the primary time, has revealed she’s misplaced three relations throughout the match.
In a tragic postscript to the unbelievable match, Kgatlana made the startling revelation throughout an emotional interview instantly after full time.
Minutes earlier, Kgatlana had calmly slotted dwelling within the 92nd minute to seal the 3-2 victory which knocked out Italy and arrange a round-of-16 conflict with the Netherlands.
But it was the heartbreaking interview which stole the present quickly after.
“I’m so emotional,” Kgatlana stated.
“Over the last three weeks, I have lost three family members, I could have gone home, but I chose to stay with my girls because that’s how much it means.
“I came back from a brutal (Achilles) injury and for me to be here and play for the country and represent every single girl who wanted to be here, to make history for South Africa, everyone deserves it.
“Every time I wear this jersey, it’s not just for myself, it’s for the 63 million people at home – and all the others here in Wellington.
“I don’t just represent myself. I represent my club as well, the girls, our families. What we did here… it still has to sink in.”
9.20AM: REGGAE GIRLZ ULTIMATE DONATION
Let’s simply name it the best GoFundMe in sporting historical past – and assume that Brazilian legend Marta didn’t contribute a cent.
Jamaica’s unbelievable draw with Brazil on Wednesday night time knocked out the soccer big and ended the profession of Marta, arguably the GOAT of girls’s soccer.
And it won’t have been potential if not for the web donation web page “Reggae Girlz Rise Up”, which – as of Thursday morning – had raised a tick over $56,000 of its $100,000 goal.
The donations have continued to circulate in all through the match, which has included their first ever World Cup level – care of a draw towards France – and now strikes onto the knock-out rounds.
The fundraiser was kicked off by the mom of midfielder Havana Solaun and helped cowl the prices of lodging, flights, meals and different bills for the ‘costly endeavour’ of the historic journey.
Jamaica will subsequent play the winner of Group H – both Colombia or Germany, which will probably be determined later tonight.
8.45AM: TEAM USA LEGEND BACKTRACKS OVER ‘INSANE’ CRITICISM
Team USA legend Carli Lloyd has backtracked on her vicious criticism of the two-time defending champions which was labelled ‘insane’ by coach Vlatko Andonovski.
Lloyd hammered Team USA as ‘uninspiring’ following their goalless draw with Portugal which allowed them to scrape by means of to the knock-out rounds with a second-placed end in Group E.
She went additional, suggesting there was a scarcity of ardour within the present group and stated ‘you never want to cross that line of becoming arrogant’ after watching the post-match celebrations.
But on Wednesday, Lloyd stated her feedback got here from a spot of attempting to guard the legacy she helped create throughout a 17-year profession on the high degree.
“I’d like to state that obviously I was very critical of the team last night,” Lloyd stated Wednesday.
“I’ve had some time to reflect, to sleep on it. I want people to understand that I care deeply about this team.
“I’ve poured my heart and soul into this team for 17 years and it was based on a legacy that was passed down from generation to generation, the mentality, the DNA of what makes that team so great.
“My comments were reflective on me wanting to see that legacy continue to be passed down generation to generation, and with that, it comes with hard work, it comes with focus, and so my hope is that that continues, because that is what makes the US so special and so deadly, and that is what ultimately has won us championships.”
After the disappointing Portugal end result, Lloyd had given her former teammates each barrels.
“You never want to take anything for granted,” Lloyd stated.
“You put on that jersey and you want to give it everything you have, for the people that came before you and the people that are going to come after you, and I’m just not seeing that passion.
“I’m just seeing a very lackluster, uninspiring, taking-it-for-granted, where winning and training and doing all that you can to be the best possible individual player is not happening.”
Her critique was not effectively acquired by Andonovski and the USA group in any respect.
“To question the mentality of this team, to question the willingness to win, to compete, I think it’s insane,” he stated.
8.00AM: ‘WE’RE SORRY’: AUSSIE RIVALS’ HUMBLE EXIT
Olympic champions Canada had been anticipated to make some noise this match – solely to be destroyed by the Matildas in a seismic showdown on Monday night time.
The devastating 4-0 end result consigned Canada to a shock group-stage exit, with Australia and Nigeria progressing to the knock-out rounds.
And that left a bitter style within the mouth of Canada’s gamers, a few of whom took to social media within the wake of the failed match.
“Disappointed to be exiting the World Cup,” stated Canadian star Ashley Lawrence.
“Thank you to the traveling fans that made the long journey and those that woke up early to cheer us on back home.
There’s nothing more to say besides that we were not good enough and we’re sorry.”
Originally revealed as FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 schedule, outcomes: Sam Kerr lastly trains with Australia
Source: www.news.com.au
