FIFA World Cup 2023: Robbie Slater on Matildas’ quarter-final team v France, will Sam Kerr play

Facing his toughest coaching decision, Tony Gustavsson must ponder how – or even if – he will reshuffle his line-up to squeeze in Australia’s superstar. Robbie Slater analyses who could make way.

Australia's coach Tony Gustavsson is facing the toughest call of his Matildas tenure. Picture: AFP

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Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson is facing arguably his toughest World Cup selection decision now that Australia’s captain and star striker Sam Kerr has finally made her first appearance of the tournament.

Having recovered from her calf injury, Kerr made her presence felt after coming off the bench for the closing stages of the Matildas’ 2-0 win over Denmark on Monday night.

Gustavsson didn’t need to use Kerr, with the Australians having the game safely in their keeping before the skipper’s introduction.

However, the coach made the wise decision of getting some game time into Kerr’s legs as the business end of the Cup fast approaches.

The question is now whether to start the Chelsea superstar in Saturday’s quarter-final against France, and if the answer is yes, which player should be dropped to make way for her?

Many people regard Kerr the best female player in the world.

If that’s the case, how can you leave her out of the starting team for a World Cup quarter-final ­ – if she’s fully fit, which is doubtful.

Regardless, would Argentina leave Lionel Messi out of its team at the same stage in a men’s World Cup? Definitely not.

Gustavsson could be spared the decision if he’s advised by his medical team, which he fully backs, that Kerr isn’t ready for a whole match.

If that’s the case, Kerr would probably be better off coming on again as a substitute, but for a longer spell to have her primed for a potential semi-final appearance.

Australia's coach Tony Gustavsson is facing the toughest call of his Matildas tenure. Picture: AFP

But if Kerr does start, who does Gustavsson leave out?

The Matildas’ attack has been excellent in their past two matches. None of the starters deserved to be axed.

If Kerr was to play from the opening whistle, it would be either Emily van Egmond or Mary Fowler who would lose their spot.

Caitlin Foord and Emily van Egmond have combined to form a dangerous partnership up front. Picture: Getty

Neither of them should be dropped.

Young star Fowler gets better with every match. Her long pass to Caitlin Foord that set up Australia’s first goal against the Danes was world class.

Van Egmond hasn’t put a foot wrong since being recalled to the starting side. She seems to fit in perfectly playing alongside Fowler as a false No.9.

Foord has also looked superb on the left, and has perhaps taken her game to another level due to not being in Kerr’s shadow.

So what does Gustavsson do?

It’s a huge decision that could have tournament-defining consequences for a Matildas side edging closer to the ultimate prize in women’s football.

Originally published as FIFA World Cup 2023: Robbie Slater on Matildas’ quarter-final team v France, will Sam Kerr play