Women’s World Cup: Matildas’ secretive Sam Kerr plan for must-win clash against Canada

The Matildas are set to delay a call on Sam Kerr’s fitness for the must-win clash against Canada even following previous heavy criticism of their transparency.

Besieged coach Tony Gustavsson claims the Matildas may delay a decision on how – and if – to use captain Sam Kerr in Australia’s crunch FIFA Women’s World Cup clash against Canada on Monday night until just before kick-off.

Having missed Australia’s opening two games of the tournament – including last Thursday night’s shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria – because of a calf injury, Kerr on Saturday said she was “available” for selection for the virtual do-or-die affair.

Kerr also donned her boots for training sessions on Saturday and Sunday at the Matildas’ Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre base.

However after Sunday’s session, which went behind-closed-doors following the initial warm-up. Gustavsson was reluctant to reveal the extent of Kerr’s training involvement.

A meeting involving Gustavsson, the team’s medical staff and Kerr was due to take place on Sunday night but there was no guarantee a decision would be made at the time about the Chelsea star’s participation in the game at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.

“I want to be clear that we knew she was going to miss the first two games and then be assessed going into this game, and that was going to go down to the wire,” Gustavsson said.

“We’re going to have a meeting with the medical team and Sam, and discuss what the possibility is for her to play (against Canada).

“Then we’re going to do some tests (on Monday) to see what it looks like.

“(With) calf injuries, one thing is that you’re available but there’s also risk when you come back from a muscle injury … so we need to balance how many minutes is she available, with what are the risks if we manage to go through to the playoffs (with) playing time … so there’s a lot on the table to discuss and we probably won’t know how exactly we’re going to use that until we come into the stadium (on Monday).”

Gustavsson, whose coaching methods and tactics have been widely panned during the tournament, admitted it would be a “failure” if the Matildas were knocked out of the tournament in the group stages.

A win over Canada will secure the Matildas a round-of-16.

However, their World Cup dream will be over with a second successive loss, while a draw is also unlikely to be enough to progress to the knockout stages.

“We know how this business works that there’s always going to be a lot of opinions … and most likely when you lose the game as well,” Gustavsson said.

“As a coach of a team, you’re never better than your last game, so right now I’m sitting up here as not the best of a coach.”

Canada coach Bev Priestman said she was happy for her reigning Olympic Games gold medallists to spoil the party by eliminating the Matildas from the tournament prematurely.

“I’m not going to make a headline about knocking the home nation out of the World Cup, but ultimately we want to win, so if that means that we knock Australia out, we knock Australia out,” Priestman said.

“I want to get three points. That’s all I’m focused on, to get three points, and move on and move into the next game.”

Priestman said the Canadians had “prepared” to play against the “world-class” Sam Kerr.

“But, ultimately, we’ve got to get us right. We’ve spoken about what it’s going to take to beat Australia because Australia aren’t just Sam Kerr,” she said.

Priestman said with Matildas needing to “come out” and chase a win, it would suit Canada’s style.

“When teams do come out is when we find a way,” she said.

“It always feels nice when fate’s in your hands. When there’s three points on the line here, I’d like to think that this group will turn up and go for it, and that’s exactly what we’ll be looking to do.

“We are coming into this game ready to go to take three points. You put grit against grit, and I think we see the best out of this group.”

Why Matildas are ‘best when our backs’ against the wall

—Erin Smith

Olympics, Champions League final – Ellie Carpenter has played some big games in her career but none compares to the match against Canada tomorrow night.

With the Matildas sitting third in their World Cup pool with a win and a loss against their name they have to beat Canada if they want to remain in the tournament.

It’s a mess the Matildas got themselves into – going down to world No. 50 Nigeria 3-2 last week.

But Carpenter isn’t complaining – sure she would have liked to have a smooth run – but she knows the team can perform in big pressure moments.

“It’s a unique situation, but it’s not unique for us,” Carpenter said.

“I feel like we always have our backs against the wall in big pressure moments – it’s not new to us.

“I think we are the best when we have our backs against the wall.

“It’s a do or die game and we all know we have to leave everything out there on Monday.”

Carpenter is so ready for the challenge she said she would have happily missed the recovery sessions and run out against Canada the very next day.

But the few extra days have opened the door for captain Sam Kerr to return to the squad after injuring her calf in the lead up to the opening game.

🗣️ "I’m definitely going to be available but how we decide to use that is not to be given to the opposition,”#Matildas#FIFAWWC#[e-mail]/n55vguCaSF

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 29, 2023

“It’s a massive boost,” Carpenter said.

“Obviously having her she’s a world class striker. She’s our captain. She’s our leader on and off the field. I think on Monday, it’s a do or die game, we have to win and having her available is the biggest boost that we can have.”

Matildas played Canada twice last year in the pre-Cup friendlies – losing 2-1 and 1-0.

Carpenter didn’t play those matches – out recovering from her ACL tear – but said they had of course analysed the games and knew what they would be up against a tough opponent.

“We were the better team in patches and we did create a lot of chances and they didn’t have too much but obviously they’ll be clinical,” Carpenter said.

“We were missing five or six players in those two games as well. But it’s not about two years ago, one year ago or the last game, it’s about Monday and its about this World Cup and if you look at any World Cup anyone can win on any given day.

“So it’s about what team wants it the most and who performs.”

Canada, having had a draw with Nigeria and a win over Ireland – also need a win to lock in their spot in the Round of 16.

Carpenter doesn’t expect them to be happy to settle for the draw.

“They are going to back themselves,” she said.

“They are a confident team, they’re a top 10 team.

“They have quality players everywhere on the pitch. I’d be surprised if they do sit off, I think they will go for it. But that makes it an even better game. You know, you don’t want a team sitting off.

“I think we’re better when everyone’s both teams are going for it leaves it open, leaves the best team to win.”

One advantage the Matildas will have over Canada is the crowd, their 24th player.

“I think you can see over the past few games, the crowd has been massive and especially against Nigeria in the last 10 minutes,” Carpenter said.

“You could feel the crowd and I just knew we were going to get a goal back in those 10 minutes.

“I think on Monday the crowd is so important for us, so Melbourne … I know you can help get us over the line.”

Matildas play Canada at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium at 8pm on Monday (AEST).

Originally published as Women’s World Cup: Matildas’ secretive Sam Kerr plan for must-win clash against Canada