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Australia will only decide whether Sam Kerr plays in their seismic Women’s World Cup showdown against Canada just before kick-off, Tony Gustavsson said Sunday.
But the Matildas coach was hesitant to give up too many details on the star striker’s training status when quizzed by Mark Schwarzer in an awkward one-on-one interview.
The interview, which was broadcast on Optus Sport, involved Schwarzer ask Gustavsson five times whether Kerr had trained — and he got a variety of different answers.
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FULL TRANSCRIPT:
Schwarzer: “Did she train today? Did she take part in the session and will she play tomorrow?”
Gustavsson: “Fair question. We had an extra press conference yesterday so that we make sure that we really respect all the fans out there that wants to have answers and Sam took her time to answer all those questions. So in terms of today and tomorrow, I will quote Sam as an answer and then move on and focus on the game tomorrow. What Sam said yesterday is it’s always been a plan to rest her for two games and rehab, reassess going into this game and then it’s going to be down to the wire. We’re going to have a meeting tonight and the trip with Sam. The medical team is going to tell me what minute she’s available and what the risks are included with that. And like Sam said herself, we’re not going to say anything until game day. Whether we use her as a starter or a game-changer off the bench, it is all about a plan for 90 minutes and how we think she might have the most effect in the game and also the risks.”
Schwarzer: “So did she train today with the team?”
Gustavsson: “I’m not going to comment on who trains and didn’t train. What I can say though is she’s been on an individual plan like every player has been and there were some players that were adjusted today, some players that had minutes load yesterday, also did some individual stuff today. So if you say train every player trains but very differently.”
Schwarzer: “So she didn’t train?”
Gustavsson: “It depends on what you mean, trained with the team.”
Schwarzer: “Had her football boots on and trained with the team.”
Gustavsson: “She had football boots on. Yes.”
Schwarzer: “So she didn’t train with the team?”
Gustavsson didn’t even reply to that final question on the matter, instead laughing it off as mystery continues to surround exactly what kind of role Kerr could play on Monday.
The Chelsea forward missed Australia’s opening two games with a calf injury, but has declared herself available for their crunch clash in Melbourne that they must win to guarantee a place in the round of 16.
Gustavsson said in a separate all-in interview with media he would meet with medical staff later Sunday ahead of further tests on Kerr scheduled for Monday.
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“Everyone involved in sport knows that with calf injuries it’s one thing that you’re available, but there’s also risk when you come back from a muscle injury,” he said.
“So we need to balance how many minutes she is available, what are the risks if we go through to the playoffs.
“So a lot on the table to discuss and we probably won’t know how we are going to use that until we are coming into the stadium tomorrow.”
The Matildas battled past Ireland 1-0 before a stunning 3-2 upset at the hands of Nigeria, meaning they need to beat Tokyo Olympic champions Canada to make sure they stay alive and Kerr’s return would be a massive boost.
Her replacement in their opener against the Irish, Mary Fowler, also missed the Nigeria defeat with a concussion and a decision on her will similarly be left until late.
“Mary trained fully today, but we need to reassess tonight how she feels, because it’s a head injury,” said the coach.
“Obviously I hope it’s a thumbs up.”
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Canada, who played out a sluggish goalless draw with Nigeria in their opening match then rallied from behind to beat Ireland 2-1, will power into the last 16 with a win or draw in the high-stakes Group B clash.
Canadian coach Bev Priestman called on her team to be brave against Australia and put any noise around Kerr aside.
“There’s a lot around about what might come up in front of us, but ultimately I know this team and if we turn up, we can go and get three points,” she said.
“The focus is to be brave and bring what we bring and bring it well.”
While Kerr’s fate has dominated headlines in Australia, Priestman insisted it had not affected Canada’s preparations.
“Have I spoken about, ‘Is she or isn’t she?’ “No I haven’t,” she said.
“We’ve spoken about what it takes to beat Australia because Australia is not just Sam Kerr.
“I want to get three points, that’s all I’m focused on, to move on and into the next game. If that means we knock out the co-hosts, then we knock out the co-hosts.”
Even if Canada lose, it will not necessarily be the end of the road. But they will need Ireland to beat Nigeria with goal-difference then coming into play.
Similarly for Australia, a loss and they are out of the tournament. But a draw coupled with Nigeria losing and it would also be decided by goal difference.
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