SYDNEY (AP) — Sam Kerr will miss Australia’s opening two video games of the Women’s World Cup due to an damage that wasn’t revealed publicly till the beginning lineup was introduced about an hour earlier than kick-off Thursday in opposition to Ireland.
Kerr has been the face of a heavy advertising and marketing marketing campaign forward of the event being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. She is Australia’s captain and main scorer and her absence is a large setback for the Matildas.
The star striker sustained a calf muscle damage throughout observe on Wednesday nevertheless it wasn’t confirmed till Stadium Australia was virtually full with expectant followers. She’ll additionally miss Australia’s second match in opposition to Nigeria in Brisbane subsequent week.
“I wanted to share this with everyone so there is no distraction from us doing what we came here to achieve,” Kerr wrote in an Instagram submit distributed by the crew. “Of course, I would have loved to have been out there tonight but I can’t wait to be a part of this amazing journey which starts now.”
The crew mentioned Kerr’s situation could be assessed earlier than the Matildas face Olympic Canada of their final sport in Group B. With 63 objectives in 120 worldwide video games, Kerr had been one of many favorites to win the Golden Boot at this World Cup.
The Chelsea ahead is taken into account one of many best goal-scorers on the earth and is an iconic determine in Australia.
Kerr headed into the competitors having helped Chelsea win the Women’s Super League in England and the FA Cup.
She had spoken on Wednesday of performing her conventional again flip celebrations if she scored in opposition to Ireland.
But any such moments should wait no less than till Australia’s final group sport in opposition to Canada in Melbourne on July 31.
Mary Fowler, who has Irish heritage, changed Kerr in Australia’s assault. Fowler, one among 5 Australian gamers on World Cup debut in opposition to Ireland, scored the winner within the Matildas’ win over France in a warmup match final week.
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