‘Silly if we started Sam’: Dropped Matilda makes shock Kerr claim
Two greats of international football believe Sam Kerr must start Australia’s quarterfinal showdown with France, but a fellow Matilda says it would be a “silly” move.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright and former Socceroo Craig Foster both labelled Kerr “the best No. 9 in the world” and critical to the team’s hopes on Saturday night.
Following their round of 16 win over Denmark on Monday, the Matildas are one win away from their best ever World Cup result, a potential semi-final berth on home soil.
Kerr was brought back from her highly publicised calf injury with 10 minutes remaining against the Danes.
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While Wright and Foster are now keen for Kerr to play as many minutes as possible, a fellow striker was adamant she should not be brought back into the starting line-up for Saturday’s crunch match.
Emily Gielnik, who was unlucky to miss out on the final 23-player World Cup squad, feels Gustavsson should continue with the line-up he’s been using thus far.
Mary Fowler plus Arsenal teammates Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord have all starred for Australia in Kerr’s absence.
“We’ve adjusted the game plan according to Sam Kerr,” Gielnik told Optus Sport.
“Mary Fowler, it’s not ideal that she’s dropping so deep, but look what she does when she gets on the ball. She only had one thing on her mind when she stopped and turn on the ball.
“The thing about Mary Fowler is when she sees a run it’s at the forefront of her mind and no matter what direction she’s facing she can spin on a dime and whip a ball out
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