NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 22: Sam Kerr of the Matildas heads over to fans after winning the … [+] Cup of Nations match between the Australia Matildas and Jamaica at McDonald Jones Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
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Australia captain Sam Kerr has been ruled out of their first two Women’s World Cup matches after getting injured in training, the team announced on Thursday, shortly before their tournament opener against Ireland.
“Sam Kerr is unavailable tonight after she picked up a calf injury at training on MD-1 (a day before matchday)” the team said on Twitter.
“Sam will be unavailable for the next two matches with the Matildas Medical Team to re-assess her following our second group stage match.”
Forward Kerr was named on the bench in Australia’s squad for the game against Ireland, which will be played later on Thursday in Sydney. She will also miss next Thursday’s game against Nigeria.
Kerr, in a post on Instagram, said: “Unfortunately I sustained a calf injury yesterday in training. I wanted to share this with everyone so there is no distraction from us doing what we came here to achieve.
“Of course, I would have loved to have been out there tonight but I can’t wait to be part of this amazing journey which starts now.”
Mary Fowler was chosen by coach Tony Gustavsson to start up top with Caitlin Foord for Australia’s opener against Ireland, which is expected to attract the biggest crowd for a women’s football game in Australia.
Vice-captain Steph Catley will be the captain in Kerr’s absence as the Matildas kick off their World Cup campaign on home soil.
Big Blow
Kerr’s absence will be a big blow to the Matildas, who are touted among the title contenders at the World Cup, which will run from July 20 to August 20.
The Matildas are in a very difficult Group B with World Cup debutants Ireland, Olympic champions Canada as well as Nigeria. Australia’s best finish so far has been the quarter-finals, which they reached on three occasions, in 2011, 2015 and 2019.
Kerr is the poster girl for this year’s World Cup Down Under, leading the Matildas side.
The 29-year-old Chelsea forward has made 168 international appearances for Australia, scoring 63 goals, and has been the captain since 2019.
Kerr had headed to the World Cup after helping her club Chelsea win the Women’s Super League and the FA Cup in the 2022-23 season. With 12 goals, Kerr was fourth in the WSL’s top-scorers list this time.
Her skill, experience and goal-scoring acumen make her one of the most dangerous forwards.
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