Crucial Kerr question finally answered

Whether to play Kerr from the opening whistle in the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final at Suncorp Stadium has been debated all week considering the Matildas captain has tasted a total of less than 20 minutes of action in the four matches Australia has played in the tournament.

The Matildas have also shown they can win without Kerr, who missed her side’s three Group B games before coming on as a late substitute in Australia’s 2-0 round-of-16 win over Denmark when the match was already in her team’s keeping.

However, Gustavsson will have no hesitation tinkering with a winning combination if all of Kerr’s required fitness boxes are ticked.

“I definitely would never see Sam as a disturbance to the team,” Gustavsson said on Friday.

“If Sam is fit to play 90 minutes, she is starting. There’s not even a question, and the team knows it. We’re talking about Sam Kerr here.

“Whether she is ready to play 90 minutes, plus extra-time, that’s to be decided (on Friday night, but there’s no question whatsoever that if she is, she’s starting.”

If Kerr does start, it;’s likely that either Emily van Egmond or Mary Fowler would be dropped to the bench.

Gustavsson was adamant there would be no backlash from any of his players over team selection.

“The one thing that his team has shown over the last half a year is that no matter what line-up we start with or the line-up we finish with … everyone is ready to step on, and off too.” he said.

“They’ve been amazing teammates supporting each other. There have been no complaints whatsoever in terms of if you start or come off the bench.  “They know their role and they play their role.”

Kerr trained seemingly without any pain on Friday in a positive sign that she’s fit enough to play a crucial role for the Matildas, whether as a starter or off the bench.

Fellow attacker Kyah Simon, who is yet to take part in the tournament after being selected in the squad despite carrying a pre-existing knee injury, also trained, albeit mainly separately from the main squad.

Gustavsson again defended his decision to select Simon in his squad for her “game-changing” ability and prowess at taking penalties if shootouts were required to decide games in the knockout stages.

“She’s here for a very good reason,” Gustavsson said of Simon.

“She’s a positive energiser for this team, the locker-room, on the training ground, and her experience helps the young players handle pressure situations – she’s been very good for us.

“I’m going to listen to the recommendation of the medical team whether she’s available for playing time (against France) or not, and also about the PK (penalty kicks).

“Yes there’s a lot of pressure but the one thing that Kyah has shown in the past is that she really embraces and loves those moments.

“If she steps on, it’s all on me, not on her. If for some reason she wouldn’t succeed, it’s on me, not on her.”

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Originally published as Sam Kerr will start in the Matildas quarter-final if she can play 90 minutes