For crestfallen Matildas fans worried about the absence of forward options for Thursday’s clash with Nigeria, Sam Kerr’s Instagram feed offers an alternative reality. The Australian captain has taken to posting photos of herself in the gym and walking in team kit during training. Seemingly there is nothing amiss, no hint that the nation is sweating over every non-update on Kerr’s calf muscle. The emojis and green and gold hearts she uses to caption the posts offer an optimistic take on the Matildas’ predicament.
But a predicament it is. The Australians enter their second group stage match missing Kerr, one of the best players in the world, who has on average scored a goal every second game in over 120 caps for the national team. They are also missing her natural replacement, Manchester City striker Mary Fowler. The 20-year-old started in Kerr’s absence in the nervy opening win over Ireland but suffered a concussion on Tuesday, and veteran striker Kyah Simon is still returning from an ACL injury.
