Nerazzurro Down Under

[Puma]

Sam Kerr available to return for Australia in World Cup last 16: ‘I’m really excited’​

By Jacob Whitehead

Sam Kerr says he she will return for Australia in the World Cup last-16 meeting with Denmark on Monday.

The Chelsea striker — the co-hosts’ talisman and captain — is yet to feature at the tournament after picking up a calf injury last month.

Australia progressed from the group without her — despite a shock defeat by Nigeria — and now face Denmark in the first knockout phase in Sydney.

It remains to be seen how much Kerr will feature but she says she is ready and raring to go.

“I’m really excited. I will play,” Kerr told Channel Nine.

The 29-year-old did return to the bench for the 4-0 win over Canada in the final game of the group and has been training with team-mates in the run up to Monday’s game.

Coach Tony Gustavsson will now consult his medical staff “to see how many minutes will be suitable” and to work out “how we get the most out of Sam Kerr in a game plan.”

“We had a nice moment as a team yesterday, to see her back with the boots on and touching the ball and be with the team training,” Gustavsson said on Sunday.

“And it was a very good feeling for her and a very good feeling for the players and the teammates and a very good feeling for me.

“Today she was off-feet. It’s all an individual plan for her in training – I trust my (medical) team 100% to prepare her the best way possible.”

Australia or Denmark will play either France or Morocco in the quarter-finals.

Spain, Japan and Netherlands are the first three nations to progress to the last eight.

 

[Puma]

To my Australian Black and Blue Brothers,

This is just a quick message to wish you all a Happy Father's Day for today.

Love you all heaps!

 

[Fitzy]

Cheers Dads.

 

[Fitzy]

I had no idea that the Socceroos played NZ this morning. Great promotion by FFA once again.

 

[Fitzy]

I thought I'd bump this thread. I'm watching the A-League at the moment and I'm actually enjoying it more than I have in years. There seems to be a bit more young talent on the pitch this season.

If Paramount Plus had a decent streaming service where you could do the basic things - and to be honest, mandatory for a sports streaming service - that Kayo does, such as start a live game from the start, rewind a live game, or even just have the replay up within 12 hours following the final whistle, I'd probably throw more games on over the weekend.

 

[Fitzy]

Fuckin Christ, this heat... I heard it has been absolutely fucked on the west coast over the last few weeks as well.

Set for a slow roasting here tomorrow, apparently.

What's grinding my gears is this bullshit roadwork at the end of the M1 at Newcastle. The main bit of roadwork (connecting the gap in the M1) is not only 10 years too late, but it's also coinciding with other roadwork in town which is similarly ridiculously late to get going. There's nothing like investment in infrastructure.

The main highway has been gridlocked this afternoon like it's some Sydney bullshit. Highway slowed to 60km/hr from the end of the M1 into the largest cemetery in the southern hemisphere (Sandgate). Slow death.

By the time you get back from a decent swim at the beach, you want to turn around and head back. Fuck off.

 

[Raul Duke]

We saw none of that here in Melbourne. I was meaning to go at the lawn, but it rained all weekend and still raining now.

 

[Fitzy]

Archie Goodwin needs to go over to Europe. Huge talent.

 

[Universe]

Irankunda level?

 

[Fitzy]

Irankunda level?

Probably not tbh.