Silver lining for Sam Kerr in Olympic qualifying tournament delay

Further changes to the Matildas’ problem-plagued Olympic qualifying tournament could help Sam Kerr overcome injury.

Caitlin Foord, centre, and the Matildas train in Sydney ahead of their Olympic qualifiers

Further changes to the Matildas’ problem-plagued Olympic qualifying tournament could work in Australia’s favour with captain Sam Kerr battling a quadriceps strain.

Kerr suffered the injury while playing for her new English club Chelsea against Arsenal last month and will now get a little more valuable recovery time. Relocated to Sydney from China at late notice due to the coronavirus outbreak there, the last three match days for the four-team tournament were pushed back on Sunday.

Following Monday’s tournament opener between Thailand and Taiwan at Campbelltown, there will now be double headers on February 7 and 10 at the same ground and the Matildas’ final match against China will be played on February 12 at Bankwest Stadium.

The latest changes were made out of fairness to China’s team, who have been kept in quarantine lockdown at their Brisbane hotel since arriving last week. FFA said on Sunday the final day clash between Australia and China could yet be moved back to February 13 to allow the teams more rest.

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Matildas coach Ante Milicic said the repeated changes had been challenging for all teams but the latest delay could help due to Kerr’s injury.

“Probably those extra days worked in her favour and our favour,” said Milicic. “Sam is not at full training at the moment but she is making good progress every day.

“We are really pleased with the way she is going but at the same time there is player welfare involved and we won’t risk Sam or any player.”

Sam Kerr is battling a quadriceps strain

China’s team must remain in quarantine until Wednesday, two days before their opening game against Thailand.

Meanwhile, an urgent meeting will be held in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday to discuss the fate of Asian Champions League matches involving Perth Glory and Sydney FC against Chinese teams next week.

Football Federation Australia has told the Asian confederation (AFC) Australia can no longer host the matches after the federal government banned foreigners travelling from China due to the coronavirus outbreak there. Perth Glory were scheduled to host Shanghai Shenhua in their opening ACL clash on Tuesday, February 11 while Sydney FC were to host another Chinese team, Shanghai SIPG, one day later.

FFA said on Sunday the AFC has called a meeting at its Malaysia headquarters for Tuesday to discuss how to handle the matter.

FFA head of leagues, Greg O’Rourke, will attend on behalf of FFA and the Australian clubs.

AAP