Injured Sam Kerr watches on as Matildas shocked 1-0 by Scotland

Matildas coach Tony Gustavvson refused to detail why Sam Kerr missed Australia’s shock loss to Scotland — and was unable to provide an answer on her availabity to face England.

WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: Mary Fowler of Australia controls the ball whilst under pressure from Nicola Docherty of Scotland during the Women's International Friendly match between Australia and Scotland at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on April 07, 2023 in Wimbledon, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

Australia’s seven-game winning streak came to an abrupt end in London when the Matildas, without star forward Sam Kerr, suffered a shock loss to lowly ranked Scotland 1-0.

Kerr, who appears to be suffering a slight strain in her right leg, was benched for the entire 90 minutes, although coach Tony Gustavvson said he was tempted to bring her for the final 20 to try and equalise or win the game after a high looping strike from Scotland defender Nicola Docherty found the back of the net in the opening minute of the second half.

The Chelsea player will wait until the final hours before Tuesday’s sold out clash against the European champions, England, in the last hit-out before the squad is pruned for the World Cup to confirm her availability.

Gustavvson said he had wanted Kerr to rest this week after she had arrived in the team camp “coming off an extremely tough club game environment with back to back games for almost two months”.

Matildas midfielder Katrina Gorry battles for possession with Emma Watson of Scotland. Picture: Getty Images

With the experience of nearly 600 national caps missing through injury Gustavvson switched tactics from giving his top line-up extra game time, to fielding an experimental team against Scotland, ranked 23 in the world and not going to the World Cup, to finalise his own world cup selections.

Said Gustavvson: “If it was me 15 years ago as a young inexperienced coach and thought short term I probably would have played her (Kerr) and risked the big picture. But now I am a little more experienced, with ease and calm, I understand the bigger picture. It is not that I don’t want to win but I don’t want to win at the expense of sacrificing key players risking injury and their health.”

As for Tuesday’s marquee match and the prospect of Kerr taking the field, he said “I know she would love to play”. He refused to detail Kerr’s injury, saying “I’ll keep that close to my chest”.

Sam Kerr on prior to Australia’s clash with Scotland at The Cherry Red Records Stadium in Wimbledon, England. Picture: Getty Images

The Matildas’ loss was a wake up call for one of the favourite teams for the world cup to be held in late July and August in Australia and New Zealand. Without their half dozen injured most experienced players, including in-form forward Caitlin Foord, the Matildas lacked firepower up front and cohesion at the back.

While Mary Fowler and debutant Clare Hunt created chances, including some booming 30m attempts from Hunt, they lacked the finishing finesse to get past Scotland’s goalkeeper Lee Gibson.

Mary Fowler controls the ball under pressure from Nicola Docherty of Scotland. Picture: Getty Images

Stand-in captain, defender Clare Polkinghorne said the team rushed a bit in the final third, admitting that the aggressive Scottish team was “big on physicality” and that they got on top of Australia early on.

Gustavvson said “we didn’t lose because the play was lazy or they didn’t give 100. They always leave everything out there and that’s a part of the identity of this team’’.

Originally published as Injured Sam Kerr watches on as Matildas shocked 1-0 by Scotland