Australia has confirmed that captain Sam Kerr will miss the women’s Olympic football competition in Paris as she recovers from a serious knee injury. The Chelsea striker sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a training camp in Morocco in January, casting doubt on her participation in Paris.
Football Australia (FA) ended the speculation on Tuesday by announcing the squad for Australia’s two-match home series against China, which begins on May 31 in Adelaide.
“Attacker Amy Sayer (ACL) and forward Sam Kerr (ACL) remain on the sidelines with long-term injuries. Kerr and Sayer will continue their rehabilitation programmes in their home club environments and subsequently will not be available for selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”
Football Australia said in a statement
Tony Gustavsson, Australia’s coach, stated that the 23-woman squad announced on Tuesday strongly indicates his final Olympic lineup. However, he did leave the door open for some current injured players, such as midfielders Katrina Gorry and Aivi Luik, to be considered if they recover in time.
“They most likely will be physically available to be part of an Olympic roster,” Gustavsson said of Gorry and Luik. “This window will be a tough one for me and my staff in terms of evaluating players, where they are, and then the final selection process for Paris.”
Sam Kerr’s absence is a significant blow to Australia’s hopes of winning their first Olympic medal in football. Last year, the team advanced to the Women’s World Cup semifinals on home soil, demonstrating their potential on the global stage.
In Kerr’s absence, the Australian team will rely on other key players to step up during Olympic qualifiers and the games themselves. The upcoming series against China will be a key test for Gustavsson’s team as they prepare for the challenges ahead in Paris.
As the team continues to prepare, fans and teammates alike will be hoping for a speedy and complete recovery for Sam Kerr, whose leadership and skill have been crucial to the Matildas. For the time being, her primary focus is on rehabilitation, intending to return to peak performance in the future.
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