Australia’s national team coach, Tony Gustavsson, has expressed his willingness to reintegrate star striker Sam Kerr into the starting lineup for their upcoming Women’s World Cup quarter-final against France, provided she receives medical clearance. After recovering from a calf injury that kept her sidelined for three group matches, Kerr’s potential return has ignited anticipation among fans and pundits alike.
Kerr, who is not only a prolific scorer but also the captain of the Australian squad, made a late appearance as a substitute in their triumphant 2-0 victory over Denmark. This raised hopes of her playing a more substantial role against France at Brisbane’s Lang Park.
Despite Kerr’s absence, Australia has displayed commendable resilience, scoring six goals in their last two matches. Gustavsson, the team’s Swedish coach, expressed unwavering confidence in Kerr’s potential impact, asserting that her involvement from the start would not disrupt the team’s rhythm.
“I definitely would never ever see Sam as a disturbance to the team,” Gustavsson stated emphatically during a press conference on Friday.
He continued, “And I want to be very clear here and now to say if Sam is fit to play 90 minutes, she is starting. That’s not even a question, and the team knows it. We’re talking about Sam Kerr. Whether she is ready to play 90 minutes plus extra time, that’s to be decided tonight.”
Gustavsson oversaw a comprehensive training session involving the entire squad, including striker Kyah Simon. Simon, who has been grappling with a lingering knee injury, has yet to make an appearance in the tournament. Her availability will be assessed by the medical staff, with a decision expected later in the day, Gustavsson confirmed.
Should Australia emerge victorious against France, they would make history by advancing to the semi-finals of a World Cup, a feat they have not achieved before. Notably, France, as the hosts of the 2019 tournament, were eliminated at the quarter-finals by eventual champions, the United States, during which Gustavsson served as an assistant to then-coach Jill Ellis.
Herve Renard, the manager of the French team, emphasized the pressure that would rest on Australia’s shoulders due to their co-hosting responsibilities.
Anticipation for the match has reached a crescendo, with Lang Park poised to host a capacity crowd. The encounter will also be broadcast live on free-to-air television across the nation, fostering widespread engagement. Enthusiastic fans will gather at live sites in major cities, and Australian Rules football spectators attending matches in Sydney and Melbourne will have the opportunity to watch the Matildas on large screens within the stadiums.
Australia’s defender, Ellie Carpenter, accentuated that the overwhelming support from their nation serves as motivation rather than pressure. Carpenter highlighted the determination of the French team, citing their aspiration to avoid elimination in the quarter-finals, characterizing anything less as unacceptable.
Carpenter stated, “Their mentality is if they’re out at a quarter-final, that’s not good enough for them. They’re going to be confident tomorrow. Of course, they’re going to come out and show that they are confident. But that doesn’t bother us at all.”
As the highly anticipated quarter-final clash draws near, both teams are primed to deliver a compelling showdown, with the stakes higher than ever for both Australia and France.
