Australia will play house and away matches Winner will qualify for Paris Video games New faces determined to impress for Matildas By Anna Harrington For Australian Related Press Printed: 00:21 GMT, 24 February 2024 | Up to date: 00:33 GMT, 24 February 2024
The Matildas know Sam Kerr cannot be changed.Nonetheless, six and a half weeks after Kerr ruptured her ACL, they insist they’re able to earn a coveted Olympics berth with out their sensational skipper main the cost.Australia tackle Uzbekistan twice in 5 days, first in Tashkent on Saturday, then in Melbourne on Wednesday, with the winner of the two-legged play-off securing their spot in Paris. Matildas gamers have constantly, and validly, identified how effectively they fared on the World Cup whereas Kerr was sidelined with a calf harm.However not like that marketing campaign, Kerr – and her infectious persona and management – will not be a part of the workforce’s camp in any respect. The Matildas will go into their Olympic Video games qualifying matches towards Uzbekistan with out star ahead and captain Sam Kerr Amy Sayer, centre, imagine the Matildas have sufficient weapons to achieve the Olympics with out KerrSteph Catley will as soon as once more assume the captaincy, whereas coach Tony Gustavsson tries to interchange an irreplaceable star up entrance.Younger ahead/midfielder Amy Sayer backed Australia to determine issues out.’It is actually unlucky that we have misplaced Sam,’ Sayer stated.’She’s probably the greatest gamers on the workforce and she or he is our captain, in order that’s an enormous gaping gap that is been left in her absence.’However I believe that the ways of the workforce and the rules which have been laid down from the very starting of Tony’s tenure have actually helped us shut that hole somewhat bit, after which it simply involves who can actually fill Sam’s sneakers.’Sayer hopes to be the one to fill these sizeable scoring boots. Steph Catley will captain the Matildas within the absence of injured skipper Sam KerrAustralia have referred to as upon veteran Michelle Heyman for the primary time in 5 years, whereas the likes of Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler and Emily van Egmond have additionally frolicked centrally.However Sayer, 22, has impressed when given alternatives.’With out Sam on the workforce, I do know that I play an identical place, and previously I’ve been the substitute for her, in that No.9 or No.10 attacking midfield position,’ she stated.’I am not attempting to fill her sneakers precisely, as a result of she is that particular participant, however I believe I’ve comparable qualities – and a few totally different ones as effectively – that may assist present a profit to the workforce.’The sport kicks off at 8pm (AEDT) in Tashkent.Australia are taking a take a fly-in, fly-out strategy to a troublesome journey.They head from their coaching camp in Dubai to Tashkent on Friday evening, then depart for Melbourne on Saturday evening, mere hours after the sport.The second sport is at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Wednesday evening.
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Matildas put together for all times with out Sam Kerr as Olympic qualification goes on the road towards Uzbekistan