FIFA Women’s World Cup: Matildas stars clash as Sam Kerr’s title hopes go on the line
Two of the Matildas biggest stars are set to meet in a crucial match which could determine the title hopes of Sam Kerr’s Chelsea.
Matildas stars will go head to head this weekend as Sam Kerr’s Chelsea take on Caitlin Foord’s Arsenal in the WSL.
There are just two games left in the season with Chelsea sitting two points ahead of Manchester United – making the win crucial for Kerr’s side.
Foord will be out to prove to Matilda’s coach Tony Gustavsson she is fit and ready for the World Cup having spent several matches on the sideline with an injury.
Steph Catley took the field for the final minute of Arsenal’s last game giving Matildas’ fans hope she may have recovered from her leg injury sustained two weeks ago.
EYES ON BUNNY
If Jamaican footballer Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s WSL season form continues she will shine at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Shaw, 26, has scored 18 goals in 20 games for Manchester City – the highest scoring women’s player in a single season in City’s history.
She is just two goals behind WSL golden boot leader Rachel Daly (Aston Villa) and eight goals ahead of Matildas’ super shooter Sam Kerr.
Bunny is Jamaica’s all-time leading goalscorer across both men’s and women’s football with 56 goals.
Her pinpoint accuracy will make Jamaica a real threat in Group F, which includes France, Brazil and Panama.
CAMP EXTENSION
FIFA has agreed to let national players go into camp up to four weeks before the Women’s World Cup starts following complaints from coaching staff.
Previously European Club Association players were only able to head into camp 10 days prior to the World Cup kicking off on July 20.
As a number of domestic competitions finished well before this FIFA agreed to change the regulations moving the release date to June 23.
FIFA is happy the change still allows players time to rest between their domestic season and national duties.
FORMER COACH COULD DICTATE MATILDAS’ PARIS FATE
The scene is set for the ultimate grudge match with Matildas set to come face-to-face with sacked coach Alen Stajcic in the Olympic qualifiers.
Australia drew a pool with Philippines, Chinese Taipei and IR Iran for Round 2 Asian Qualifiers for Paris 2024.
Stajcic was sensationally sacked from the Matildas after player and staff surveys revealed a toxic culture within the national camp.
Statistically it is a dream draw for the Matildas with none of the other three rivals ranked in the top 30.
But a Philippines coached Stajcic could trouble the Matildas side.
Stajcic was sacked five months out from the FIFA Women’s 2019 World Cup after taking Australia to the quarterfinals of the 2015 Women’s World Cup, 2016 Olympics, 2018 Asian Cup final and a historic top-five world ranking.
The shock sacking, in January 2019, followed players and staff reporting a toxic culture and unacceptable levels of stress within the national side.
Stajcic was replaced by Ante Milicic and Matildas were bundled out of the World Cup in the round of 16 after a penalty shootout.
The Matildas are now ranked 10th in the world and have struggled to perform at tournaments since Tony Gustavsson took over in 2020.
LOCKED IN ðŸ”
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) May 18, 2023
We've been drawn in Group A for our #Paris2024 Qualifiers!#WeAreMatildaspic.twitter.com/C0QXo0H8rk
The Philippines hired Stajcic in October 2021. And just like he did with the Matildas Stajcic has had great success – with the side even qualifying for their first World Cup.
The Asian qualifiers field has already been whittled down to 12 teams, comprising of seven group winners from Round 1 of qualifying and the five highest-seeded teams including Australia, who received automatic byes into Round 2.
Australia will host the group during the October 23-November 1, 2023 FIFA window.
They will play a single round-robin league format with three group winners and the best ranked runners-up progressing to the final qualifying round.
The four teams will then play two pairs of home and away matches with the two winners qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
FULL GROUPS
GROUP A: Australia, Chinese Taipei, Philippines, IR Iran
GROUP B: China PR, Korea Republic, Thailand, DPR Korea
GROUP C: Japan, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, India
GUN MATILDAS’ MAJOR CUP BOOST
The Matildas’ have one less injured player on their list with Caitlin Foord making a stunning return from her hamstring injury – scoring a double for Arsenal.
Foord sustained the leg injury back in April. She made a brief 15 minute on field appearance last week against Brighton.
But played 65 minutes and netted two goals in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Everton in the UK overnight, earning player of the match for her efforts.
With 10 other players still in doubt for the World Cup Foord’s return to fitness will be welcomed by Matilda’s coach Tony Gustavsson.
Tonight's POTM...@CaitlinFoord 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pKheeoL2XE
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 17, 2023
Foord’s Arsenal teammate Steph Catley, who has had a run of injuries, had been sidelined with a leg injury.
In a promising sign she was named in Arsenal’s squad and given a short 1 minute run off the bench.
While there are still 63 days left until the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off there are only two games left of the WSL season giving players like Catley, little time to prove their fitness.
Gustavsson will still be sweating over the fitness of Kyah Simon (ACL), Chloe Logarzo, Alanna Kennedy (calf) (ACL) and Elise Kellond-Knight (achilles tendon).
MATILDAS STAR’S SETBACK A HUGE CONCERN
Matildas’ defender Alanna Kennedy has ruled herself out of the remaining Women’s Super League games sparking concerns she might not be fit for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Kennedy, who has played 108 games in the green and gold, announced on social media overnight that she would not be taking to the field for Manchester City in the final two games of the WSL season.
“Hey Citizens, It’s been a difficult year with injury for myself and unfortunately I’ve played my last game for the season,” Kennedy shared.
“I’m wishing all my teammates and the staff the very best for the final two games. C’Mon City.”
Kennedy missed Australia’s clashes with Scotland and England in April due to injury.
She has been battling a calf injury picked up while on international duty in February.
Prior to that, in April 2022, she broke her nose during a friendly against New Zealand. Then in September that year she injured her hamstring during the series against Canada then fractured her shoulder which delayed the start of her domestic season.
Kennedy joins a growing list of Australian footballers still battling injury or trying to prove they are fit for the World Cup including: Steph Catley (foot), Kyah Simon (ACL), Chloe Logarzo (ACL) and Elise Kellond-Knight (achilles tendon).
Despite the ongoing injury woes Kennedy announced she has extended her contract with City for two more seasons.
“I feel like I have unfinished business here,” Kennedy said.
“I’ve worked hard to get myself into a position where I’ve learned the style here, got a great relationship with all the girls in the team and the staff as well.
“I feel like I have so much more to learn as a player and this is an environment where I can do that, get better every day and be surrounded by great players as well.
“And also grow as a person I think, that’s something that’s important to me and I feel comfortable here in Manchester, so I’m looking forward to continuing that.
“I feel these next couple of years will be my peak and so to be here, somewhere where I’ve started to build, I wouldn’t want to stop that now.
“I’m looking forward to continuing that and hopefully finding good form to become the best player I can be here.”
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KERR GOAL WINS FA CUP FOR CHELSEA
From flag bearer at the King’s coronation to Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year, now Sam Kerr’s incredible week has been capped with a Player of the Match performance in Chelsea’s FA Cup final win over Manchester United.
The Matildas’ captain put to bed any fears of an injury to help Chelsea to their third FA Cup in a row, as the game’s lone goal scorer.
Kerr has had a crazy week – taking part in the King’s coronation and being named the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year for the second year running. Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland took the men’s gong.
After coming from the field in Chelsea’s 7-0 win over Brighton last week, Australian fans can breath a little easier, with Kerr back to her best, drawing the attention of both Manchester United defenders Le Tissier and Batlle.
Chelsea are one-point behind Manchester United in the WSL and will be looking to claim the double with three matches left to play for the season.
ICONIC.#WomensFACupFinalpic.twitter.com/sxBiVLIg2j
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 14, 2023
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A GAIN AND A SETBACK
Caitlin Foord is back on the pitch after sustaining a hamstring injury in April but fellow Arsenal teammate Steph Catley is back in the sheds.
Foord played close to 15 minutes in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Brighton on Thursday morning (AEST).
Catley was not on Arsenal’s team sheet for the Brighton clash. The Matildas’ left-back was subbed on and off during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Leicester City in the WSL last weekend with a leg injury – she had only recently returned to the squad after recovering from a foot injury.
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TIGHT TURNAROUND
Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw is not happy that she won’t have access to his players until 10 days before their opening FIFA Women’s World Cup clash with the Matildas.
The European Club Association has ruled players won’t be released for international duty until 10 days before the Cup’s start date.
Pauw said she feared later call-ups would increase the likelihood of injuries – not help prevent them as the ECU stated.
She said a two-week break would be long enough – not the 11 weeks some European players will get.
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EYES ON ASIA
World Cup debutants the Philippines have failed to progress past the group stage in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games after finishing third in their pool on goal difference.
World Cup bound Vietnam will take on Myanmar in the final on Monday morning.
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