The Matildas of Australia will be looking at the duo of Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord to lead their attack in their decisive 2023 Women’s World Cup clash against the Super Falcons on Thursday.
Matildas Captain and attacking talisman Sam Kerr picked up a calf strain warming up for training a day to their opening 1-0 victory over Ireland.
The 29-year-old Kerr has been ruled out of Thursday’s Group B clash against Nigeria at Suncorp Stadium and will be reassessed before the July 31 fixture with Canada.
However, defender Charli Grant believed 20-year-old Fowler and Foord would be offered more openings for coach Tony Gustavsson against a higher-pressing Nigeria.
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“We have still got top-class players as our forwards,” Grant said. “Yes, Sam is one of the best players in the world, but I think it just gives the opportunity for Cait and Mary to shine.
“They took that really well against Ireland, and we will probably have a bit more of an open game [against Nigeria] on Thursday. Because Ireland do sit in and Nigeria like to press, so I think it might give them more of an opportunity to shine.
“Sam gives so much energy, but that just means we need to step up and provide that energy. We are doing really well, is and we have just got to stay positive. These things happen in a big tournament, so we have just got to adapt.”
WOMEN’S WC RESULTS
GROUP A
N. Zealand 1-0 Norway
Philippines 0-2 Switzerland
GROUP B
Australia1-0 Ireland
Nigeria 0-0 Canada
GROUP C
Spain 3-0 Costa Rica
Zambia 0-5 Japan
GROUP D
England 1-0 Haiti
Denmark 1-0 China
GROUP E
USA 3 -0 Vietnam
Holland 1-0 Portugal
GROUP F
France 0-0 Jamaica
GROUP G
Sweden 2-1 South Africa