The Matildas will be fighting hard for third place against Sweden in Brisbane on Saturday as the team look to shake off the disappointment of Australia’s World Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of England.
“We’re excited,” said captain Sam Kerr. “Of course there was the disappointment the other night. But I think now the focus has turned to the game. Very proud to be here fighting for the bronze medal – the first time any Australian team will do so at a World Cup.”
Kerr described the past month as “the most amazing four weeks” of her career. “Not only what has happened on the pitch but what has happened off the pitch has been amazing,” she said. “When we first started at this World Cup we could have never dreamed that this would happen – the way the country got behind us, the way we’ve been playing. It’s been an amazing journey to be part of.”
But the Chelsea striker said despite the disappointment, the Matildas wanted to end the tournament on a high. “I think for us right now we’re all like wow we can’t believe what has happened in these last four weeks,” he said. “In five, 10 years’ time we’ll really look back on this and think this was the most amazing four weeks of our lives. Even today at training we were all a little bit sad – the last training session, last prehab together. It feels a bit sad that it’s over.
“But we have one more game – we can really end on a high,” Kerr added. “Third place for us would be an amazing thing, an amazing thing for this country. So for us there’s that extra motivation to end on a high and really leave an amazing legacy. Coming third place at a Women’s World Cup is something you can only dream of as a kid.”
Tony Gustavsson foreshadowed he will stick with his regular starting line-up for the game at Suncorp Stadium. There have been growing calls for the coach to deploy his squad depth, with the Matildas making the least use of substitutes of all teams at the World Cup. Asked whether the likes of young stars Charlotte Grant or Clare Wheeler might be given an opportunity against Sweden, the Swede hinted that he would not be ringing the changes.
“If it was emotionally, those players would play – because they deserve to play,” he said. “But I can’t pick based on emotions. This is a third-place game – we’re playing for a medal. I’m going to make sure we have a line-up here that is the strongest starting line-up we can have, but also the strongest finishing line-up.
“So once again I’m just going to plan what is best for the team in this one game, and not look at it as any bigger picture than that. It’s not about giving players experience just for the sake of giving experience, this is a game to win.”
The Matildas have had the fewest substitute minutes and lowest squad usage of any team at the tournament, requiring the regular stars to put in extensive minutes and clock up kilometres during the past six matches.
“We have had a clear strategy,” said Gustavsson. “And I know there’s probably opinions in this room about that, which I think is fair – because I like those type of debates. Whether you should rotate players in a tournament, whether you should have continuity in the line-up. We’ve gone with a strategy where we think relationships and continuity within tournaments is key.”
Gustavsson indicated that 22 of his 23 players would be available on Saturday, with only Alanna Kennedy absent after suffering delayed concussion symptoms following the quarter-final with France.
The defender was a late withdrawal from the starting line-up for the semi-final against England on Wednesday. At the time, Football Australia indicated that Kennedy was unwell but did not provide further details.
On Friday morning, Football Australia issued a statement confirming the 28-year-old will miss the third-place match. “Kennedy has been ruled out after subsequently exhibiting delayed concussion symptoms stemming from Australia’s quarter-final victory over France,” said the statement.
On Friday afternoon, Kennedy issued a brief message on Instagram. “Heart broken to be ruled out with a concussion,” she wrote. “However, I’m excited to be able to support from the sidelines tomorrow and watch the girls create even more history. Stay with us for 1 more Australia.”
Football Australia officials had previously said Kennedy’s absence on Wednesday was not concussion-related. It is understood Kennedy trained with the team earlier in the week, before the late onset symptoms emerged.
