Matildas ‘plan’ for Kerr’s return

And if Kerr does defy the odds by playing at AAMI Park with a damaged calf it will perhaps come almost as a relief for Arsenal star Foord, who is carrying the burden of the Matildas’ misfiring attack on her shoulders.

Foord was down on herself after missing a host of chances in Australia’s shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
“I was just frustrated,” said.

“I had plenty of chances to put one away, so on my own performance, that’s just frustrating.”

The defeat has left the Matildas in danger of crashing out of the World Cup before start of the tournament’s knockout stages.

Beating Canada will secure Australia a spot in the round-of-16, but it’s a task easier said than done, with the reigning Olympic Games champions having beaten the Matildas in Brisbane and Sydney last August.

A draw may be enough for the Matildas to progress from the group stages but they would also need Ireland, who are already eliminated after back-to-back losses, doing them an unlikely favour against a Nigerian side high on confidence in match that will be played at the same time, in Brisbane, as the Australia-Canada showdown.

But Foord was confident that when the Matildas were at their “best”, they could “beat anyone”, including Canada.

When asked if Kerr would play on Monday night, Foord said: “That’s the plan.”

Besieged Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson was hopeful, but far from confident, that Chelsea star Kerr would take part in the match.

“I most likely won’t get the confirmation on that until the night before the game,” he said.

“If she’s available we just need to come up with a plan together with the staff and together with Sam to see what’s the best to maximise the potential minutes that she has going into this game.”
Gustavsson said the onus was on him to lift the Matildas mentally after their unexpected loss.

“Physical recovery is one thing, but the mental recovery as well to bounce back (is important),” he said.

“The one thing we know with this team … is that never-say-die attitude when we’re up against the wall.

“The truth right in front of us. It’s a must-win game against the Olympic champions in the last round of the group stage to get out.”

Originally published as Matildas striker Caitlin Foord ‘frustrated’ with her performance in Australia’s World Cup loss to Nigeria