A degree of uncertainty surrounds the extent of Sam Kerr’s calf injury, with Australia coach Tony Gustavsson reluctant to discuss the details surrounding it.
The Matildas overcame a tough physical battle against Ireland to win their opening Women’s World Cup match 1-0, but they also had to overcome the shock loss of Kerr just before kick-off in Sydney.
Gustavsson’s captain sustained the injury at training the day before, with Gustavsson telling media after the match that he would prefer to focus on his team’s performance than on the absence of Kerr for the Group B matches against Ireland and Nigeria.
“We have to be honest with you, we said she will be out for two games, after that we will reassess it,” Gustavsson said. “Right now we don’t know what grade [of injury] it is.
“I want to have the most focus on the performance we just had in the opening game of the World Cup.”
Steph Catley stepped up in Kerr’s absence, taking both the captain’s armband and the decisive penalty that earned Australia victory.
The Arsenal player described Kerr as the “spiritual leader” of the team who still has a massive role to play for as long as she remains sidelined.
“Losing a player like Sam, probably the best player in the world – and just for her as a person – we were completely heartbroken,” Catley said.
“We had to really gather ourselves pretty quickly, but we used her spirit and used the fact that she wasn’t able to be out there with us to help us push on and to all add a bit to what we already bring.
“That’s what it’s going to take for as long as she misses [matches]. She’s got a role still, whatever she plays, she’s massive for us and she’s so important – she’s our spiritual leader and whatever role she plays in the next however long, will be massive.”
Ireland coach Vera Pauw said she was surprised to see Kerr out of the starting lineup an hour before kick off, but said, “Australia has so many powerful and strong and fast attacking players, that our game plan did not change because of that.”
“Sam Kerr is of course maybe the top striker of the world, so the fact that she did not play was of course a surprise for us, but of course we were happy with that.”
Kerr is the team’s usual penalty taker, but Catley said she felt confident taking her first spot kick for her country.
“I just try and look at it as another set piece,” Catley said. “I really enjoy taking set pieces, so I just pick a spot and hit it where I want to hit it. I try to block out the crowd as much as I can, take a breath, focus, and try to keep my mind pretty clear.”
Australia have a week to recover before they face Nigeria in Brisbane, where they will again be without Kerr.
