- Captain wore a knee brace in final training session
- Kick-off is 8pm AEDT from Accor Stadium in Sydney
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has dismissed concerns surrounding Sam Kerr’s fitness after Australia’s captain sported a knee brace ahead of the team’s last training session before the Asian Cup final.
With the Tillies to meet Japan at Sydney’s Stadium Australia on Saturday night, defender Clare Hunt failed to take the training field in the 15 minutes of the session open to media.
The Matildas declined to explain the defender’s absence, who limped into Wanderers Football Park in Sydney’s west after being replaced in the second half of the semi-final win over China.
Kerr, meanwhile, wore a protective support on her right knee.
The striker then trained fully – and without her brace – before having strapping applied after the media were asked to leave.
Kerr spent more than a year out of the national team after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament, while her 2023 World Cup campaign was heavily impacted by a calf strain.
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has dismissed concerns surrounding Sam Kerr’s fitness after Australia’s captain sported a knee brace in her team’s last training session before the Asian Cup final
The striker then trained fully – and without her brace – before having strapping applied (pictured) after the media were asked to leave
Curiosity surrounding Kerr’s fitness was heightened after she pulled out of Australia’s pre-match press conference on Friday and was replaced by Ellie Carpenter.
Montemurro, speaking prior to Australia’s final pre-match training session, insisted there was no issue for his superstar striker.
‘Sam’s fine. Everything’s fine and we are all ready to go,’ he said.
‘I’m so happy for her and proud of her because she has really shown why she’s such a world-class player at this tournament.’
Carpenter, meanwhile, called on the Matildas to meet fire with fire as Australia’s golden generation looks to topple Japan.
Saturday’s final offers the Matildas their best shot at silverware since an inspired run to the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup.
The likes of Chelsea star Carpenter, fellow defender Steph Catley, Emily van Egmond, Caitlin Foord and skipper Kerr have formed the backbone of the Matildas squad over the past decade, where major tournaments have always ended in heartache.
Of Montemurro’s current squad, only Kerr has won the Asian Cup when the goal poacher was a fresh-faced teen in the 2010 triumph over North Korea.
Despite enjoying sustained success at club level with Arsenal, Caitlin Foord (pictured, left) and vice-captain Steph Catley (right) have never lifted a trophy with the Matildas
‘When can I say that I’ll have another final in Australia to win a major tournament? Never, probably,’ Carpenter said.
‘So this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us and most of the girls… I’ve been in this team for 10 years and haven’t lifted a trophy.’
Japan – ranked No.8 in the world – have pulverised their opponents with a ruthlessness rarely seen at international level, scoring 28 goals and conceding just one.
They warmed up for the final with a 4-1 hammering of South Korea in the semis.
But vice-captain Carpenter appears unfazed, insisting Australia – who are ranked 15th in the world by FIFA – have the firepower to match Japan.
‘They are a world-class side, but I think we can match them. We are ready to get the job done,’ she said.
Kick-off is 8pm AEDT from Accor Stadium in Sydney, with live coverage on Channel 10 and Paramount+.
