by
Former Socceroo Robbie Slater has slammed the Matildas coaching staff and their handling of players at the Women’s World Cup, calling for them to “come clean” over Sam Kerr’s injury status.
Kerr rocked Matildas fans when it was announced an hour before kick-off of Australia’s opening match against Ireland the superstar was a late scratching with a calf injury.
It was stated she would miss the opening two matches, but Slater says many in football circles believe she may miss the entire tournament, which would be a devastating blow.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“I think it’s time they came clean about Kerr’s injury,” Slater wrote in a column for Code Sports.
“Why can’t we get exact news and a real update on the severity of her injury?
“She is the face of the World Cup. I don’t think you need to play mind games with the possibility of (a) round of 16 return or later, just come out and say it.
“The whisper is she won’t play at all. A calf tear is typically a four week injury.
“You talk to any young fans and all they want to know is “how bad is Sam’s injury and when is she going to play?”
“They have a right to know how bad it is and if she is not going to play at all.”
The Matildas were able to overcome Kerr’s absence in a 1-0 win over Ireland to get their campaign off to the perfect start.
Yet the loss of Kerr has since been compounded by two more injuries sustained in a training session under coach Tony Gustavsson.
Mary Fowler, a back-up striker for Kerr, and veteran midfielder Aivi Luik bizarrely both suffered concussion injuries in training on Tuesday which has ruled them both out of the second group match against Nigeria.
Gustavsson’s attempted explanation of what took place in his pre-match press conference didn’t win him any admirers.
“I totally understand if you didn’t see the training, if I was you sitting out there, I would go like ‘what the heck is happening in trainings?’” Gustavsson said with a broad smile across his face.
“You know two concussions in one training, two days out from the game. But it was a completely normal training, two days out, you always have a high-intensity, medium-sized game… everything was good. We were unlucky, unfortunately two head knocks.”
But that flew in the face of the beliefs of Slater, who represented the Socceroos 44 times and won a Premier League title with Blackburn Rovers.
“What is going on with the Matildas?” Slater wrote.
“It’s pretty bizarre and unlucky for more injuries to strike on the eve of a World Cup game, but the question must be asked: What were you doing?
“Everyone knows with sports science that the most crucial day to be light in your training is two days before a game.
“That is the rule: two days before a game you don’t have a heavy session. You only do really light stuff, then the day before a game you have a short and sharp session. Maybe a few sprints and then away you go.
“So how, on what is meant to be a light day, do Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik both come away from training with concussion in separate incidents?
“Why was this session overly physical? It’s great to have competitive sessions, but now it’s left the Matildas exposed – particularly in attack.”
The Matildas clash with Nigeria kicks off at 8pm AEST on Thursday night in Brisbane.
