Matildas captain Sam Kerr has revealed she feared she would miss your complete FIFA Women’s World Cup as her “rollercoaster” of a event involves an finish in Saturday’s playoff for third place in opposition to Sweden at Suncorp Stadium.
Having injured her calf the day earlier than Australia’s opening Group B match in opposition to Ireland, Kerr admitted she was relieved to have been capable of play at the least some half within the Cup after lacking the Matildas’ first three matches.
“Me being the stubborn person I am, I thought I was going to play the next day (after suffering the injury,” Kerr stated.
“I feel massive relief that I’ve been able to step on to the park.
“It was a bit of a rollercoaster for me. I’ve never had a muscle injury, so I didn’t know what I was feeling, how long it was going to take … at some point in the tournament I was thinking I might never play in this World Cup, but I was lucky enough that I was able to get back.
“Now it’s just the icing on the cake that I could step on the park and help the girls.”
If the ‘icing on the cake’ was Kerr’s wonder-goal in Australia’s 3-1 semi-final loss to England, the cherry on prime can be a Matildas win over Sweden to safe third spot and go one higher than they did in ending fourth on the Tokyo Olympics.
“We want to win the bronze medal,” the Chelsea striker stated.
“To bring a World Cup medal would be amazing. It really feels like we have brought the nation together over football.
“It feels like we’ve done something amazing for the country … but there is definitely work still to be done.”
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson echoed Kerr’s sentiments in saying there was some unfinished business to deal with in opposition to Sweden, the nation of his start.
It signifies that Gustavsson received’t let sentiment get in the best way of workforce choice, promising to choose the very best aspect on Saturday evening.
“I can’t pick (a team) based on emotions,” Gustavsson stated.
“This is a third-placed game – we’re playing for a medal. I’m going to make sure we have a line-up that is the strongest line-up we can have, but also the strongest finishing line-up.
“I’m going to plan what I think is best for the team in this one game, and not look at it as a bigger picture than that.
“It’s not about giving players experience just for the sake of giving experience. This is a game to win.
“We have gone with a strategy where we think relationships and continuity in tournaments is key. It’s just a strategy we believe in.”
However, a sure omission is essential defender Alanna Kennedy, who has been dominated out with delayed concussion.
Kennedy additionally missed the Matildas’ midweek loss to England, however the motive given by workforce officers at that stage was that her absence was because of “illness”.
“Alanna has had her best tournament ever for the national team,” Gustavsson stated.
“(But) the players have been tremendous in adapting to what’s been thrown at us. There have been some curve balls in this tournament.”
Source: www.news.com.au
