To what extent can the Matildas’ laboured, less than convincing performance against Ireland on Thursday be attributed to the dramatic late omission of striker Sam Kerr due to injury? To borrow from a former Australian prime minister (in a very different context), it does not explain everything, it does not explain nothing – it explains some things.
The Irish, making their Women’s World Cup debut, were always going to pose a challenge. Their physicality and seven-strong defensive block forced the Matildas to create opportunities, rather than rely on fluid counterattacking movement. It is far from clear whether Kerr would have changed that – the Australians were let down by their final touches, just as they were against France where Kerr was a primary culprit.
It was no surprise the game’s only goal came by way of a penalty; Australia managed just two shots on target during the entire 90 minutes (to Ireland’s lone shot on goal). Unforced errors and a lack of creative dynamism blunted the Matildas’ forays forward, as the team struggled to find a tempo and maintain anything by way of consistent pressure on the Irish.
Vera Pauw’s Ireland was a better team than many Australian fans had anticipated, and the Matildas played below their best. Stage fright would be putting it too highly, but the significance of the occasion – a record-breaking crowd crammed into Stadium Australia – certainly seemed to weigh on them. The absence of Kerr, a talismanic, even “spiritual” figure within the team (in the words of vice-captain Steph Catley), would not have helped the Matildas’ confidence.
But among Kerr’s many sublime skills is her ability to change a game in a moment, to be in exactly the right place at the right time when no one, least of all the opposition defence, expects it. That X-factor was missing on Thursday, exacerbated by a quiet night from Kerr’s replacement, Mary Fowler.
In the end, Kerr’s absence was inconsequential to the final result – three points gained. It may not have been pretty, but there are no pictures on the scorecard. The bigger question is where the Matildas go from here.
There’s a hint of irony to Kerr’s injury on the eve of the tournament – because for the first time in years, this has been a Matildas team with supposed depth. It’s something the Swedish manager has worked on tirelessly – bringing through a new generation of talent. Clare Hunt, 24, was a rock in central defence against Ireland; Cortnee Vine, 25, started on the wing. Alex Chidiac, 24, Clare Wheeler, 25, and Courtney Nevin, 21, were among the options for Gustavsson on the bench.
All the pre-tournament talk of the Matildas’ newfound depth has proved grimly prescient – without Kerr to drag them through games, the rest of the squad must stand up. Following a run of wins against top European sides, the Matildas’ faithful have increasingly dreamed of a run to the World Cup final. That would always have been a mighty achievement. Without Kerr, one of the best players in the world, it would be truly heroic.
The injury blow also raises questions about the wisdom of veteran forward Kyah Simon’s inclusion in the squad, as she moves closer to returning from a long-term ACL injury. Gustavsson has been frank that Simon is unlikely to play in the group-stage, but may be available as an impact substitute if the Matildas progress in the tournament.
The striker’s wealth of experience in big moments made this seem a sensible strategy; but with hindsight, having not one but two forwards in a 23-player squad stuck on the bench leaves the team with limited attacking options. Will Gustavsson come to regret omitting Emily Gielnik from his final selection? Or Melbourne City’s Holly McNamara, who did not even make the preliminary 29-woman squad?
If Kerr returns for the final Group B match against Olympic champions Canada, Gustavsson’s limited forward options may be manageable in the interim – Nigeria will not play as defensively as the Irish, which should allow space for the Matildas’ preferred attacking methodology. Chidiac could provide the necessary spark off the bench. But if Kerr is absent for the entire tournament, the pressure will be on Simon to make an earlier than anticipated return.
For all these well-founded concerns, the Matildas have started the World Cup with a win. That is a feat they have not managed since 2007. “I’ve been around in tournament football for long enough to know that sometimes it’s those games where you just need to grind through and find a way to win,” Gustavsson said afterwards. “That showed some maturity.”
Moments later in the press conference, a journalist congratulated the coach on the victory: “One down, six to go.” For all the conjecture, that is the only statistic that matters. Without Kerr it is made harder, but by no means impossible.
