We take a closer look at Australia’s must-win World Cup clash with Canada, and try to unpick fact from fiction when it comes to the fitness status of the Matildas’ superstar captain.
Is Sam Kerr really fit?
Who knows? She says she is, but won’t say much more. Tony Gustavsson says she is, too, but won’t say whether she actually trained with the team on Sunday, giving silent Tony Abbott vibes in an awkward interview with Optus Sport’s Mark Schwarzer. Reading between the lines, Sam Kerr will probably be named as a substitute and only be used if the Matildas need a goal or are chasing the game.
If by some miracle they are already home and hosed against Canada in the second half, she might not be used at all. Or she might start, and they’re pulling a massive swifty on us all. At this point, after almost two weeks of mind games from Gustavsson, nothing would surprise. Whatever the Matildas do with her, it will be a risk – but with everything on the line, this is the time for that.
Can Mary Fowler provide the missing link in attack?
One of the few things Gustavsson was willing to say is that Mary Fowler, who missed the Nigeria game due to concussion, is expected to be cleared to play. Thank heavens.
Assuming Kerr comes off the bench, the 20-year-old is an obvious candidate to start up front next to Caitlin Foord, resuming their burgeoning partnership from Australia’s 1-0 opening win over Ireland – only this time, they will likely have a bit more space to work with.
Mary Fowler in action against Ireland.Credit: Getty
This is Fowler’s second World Cup in a row that has been disrupted by injury, and she is yet to truly dazzle on the big stage of a major tournament. This is her chance: her cool head, refined technique, vision and finishing ability is exactly what the Matildas need in the final third.
Who will pay for Australia’s defensive mistakes?
All three goals conceded against Nigeria were, in part, down to Australian mistakes – and the third, a miscommunication between Alanna Kennedy and Mackenzie Arnold, was the most galling of all. Arnold was also at fault for the second, but it’s hard to see Gustavsson switching his goalkeeper for this match. Will he persist with the same back four for another game? Should he?
Alex Chidiac is ready to go – if Gustavsson is willing.Credit: Getty
The four-day turnaround could be a factor, and the Matildas could definitely do with some fresh legs. Kennedy looks the most likely to be sacrificed – her lack of pace was exploited by the Super Falcons and Clare Polkinghorne, whose centre-back combination with Clare Hunt was a critical part of Australia’s string of friendly wins during the past 10 months, is yet to start at the World Cup. The other option is to move Steph Catley centrally and put Charli Grant, who hasn’t seen any minutes at all, at left-back. Defensive utility Aivi Luik (concussion) has been ruled out.
Will Alex Chidiac get another chance?
Veteran Canada forward Christine Sinclair.Credit: Getty
Gustavsson has conceded that he probably should have brought Alex Chidiac on sooner than the 85th minute on Thursday night. Despite such a limited opportunity, the reigning Julie Dolan medallist still showed why so many fans have campaigned for her to be given greater scope by the Swede, who has never started her in a Matildas match and rarely given her much more than half an hour off the bench.
Juventus coach Joe Montemurro, who signed Chidiac to his Melbourne City team when she was 16, believes she can provide some desperately needed panache and variation to Australia’s midfield and help unlock a stubborn Canadian defence. He’s not alone. Does Gustavsson agree?
Will Canada’s captain start the match?
Christine Sinclair did not start against Ireland on Wednesday night, in a selection shock courtesy of coach Bev Priestman. When the 40-year-old forward did come on at the start of the second half, her involvement kick-started 45 minutes of dominance that helped Canada close out the 2-1 win.
But Sinclair picked up an injury late in the game that has her in doubt to feature against Australia – a hit to her target of becoming the first player – male or female – to score in six separate World Cups. Canada coach Bev Priestman said on Sunday that Sinclair had trained with the team earlier in the day and would be available, but did not specify whether or not she would be fit to start.
