The Matildas’ performances finally yr’s Women’s World Cup with out Sam Kerr has them assured of success on the Paris Olympics within the absence of their captain and star striker.
Australia will qualify for this yr’s Paris Games by beating Uzbekistan in a two-legged, home-and-away battle that begins on Saturday in Tashkent earlier than concluding with the second leg at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on February 28.
While the Matildas aren’t taking qualification as a right, they’re determined to medal in Paris, having completed fourth on the World Cup and the Tokyo Olympics.
Their hopes suffered a blow when Kerr ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee in January, an harm that may sideline her for no less than 9 months.
“We are all heartbroken for Sam and shocked and devastated when she did her ACL,” Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy stated.
However, not all is misplaced for the Matildas, with Kennedy believing her staff can’t solely beat Uzbekistan over two legs with out Kerr, but in addition end among the many medals in Paris regardless of not having the Chelsea star to name on.
At final yr’s World Cup on house soil, the Matildas reached the semi-finals regardless of Kerr injuring her calf.
Kerr missed Australia’s opening three video games of the event, and solely began in two of the squad’s seven matches. The Matildas misplaced each of them.
“It’s a blow for us but we take confidence in the World Cup we had,” the 29-year-old Sydney product stated.
“I have confidence in the squad that we have. For other players it’s an opportunity to step up and show what they can do as well.”
“I’m sure (Kerr’s) leadership will still be present throughout. She’ll want to be a part of it in some capacity.”
Kennedy, who missed the Matildas’ World Cup semi-final and third-placed playoff losses attributable to delayed concussion signs, not too long ago returned to membership duties with Manchester City after being sidelined with a calf harm.
“It was a pretty straight-forward rehab for me,” she stated.
“It all went well and I’m just happy to be fit and healthy again.”
Kennedy confused the Matildas wouldn’t underestimate Uzbekistan.
“Any team that we come up against at this stage is obviously going to see us as a threat and want to play with a compact structure,” she stated.
“It will be about having patience and breaking down their structure. I’m sure they have a lot of motivation to create history for their country as well.”
Originally printed as Matildas prepared for the problem of succeeding with out the providers of Sam Kerr
Source: www.news.com.au
