Sam Kerr to start World Cup semi final in huge selection call
The Matildas have taken the shackles off skipper Sam Kerr, who will start the World Cup semi-final against England.
Kerr, who has battled a calf injury throughout the World Cup, has finally been given the green light to start, coming into the side for makeshift striker Emily van Egmond.
Speaking to 9News as the massive team news broke, excited ex Socceroo Craig Foster described it as "unbelievable".
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"For every Australian to see that starting XI and to think that in the semi-final of the World Cup, finally, we're going to get the great Sam Kerr starting," Foster said.
Sam Kerr stretches during an Australia Matildas training session during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on August 15, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images) Offside via Getty Images
"I tell you what, every Australian around the country would be so pumped if we weren't already. I mean here at Stadium Australia there's already tens of thousands of people who are just absolutely on nerve's edge, there's so much excitement.
"We weren't sure whether she was going to be able to pull up from the quarter final. Coming on in the second half and then playing all of extra time as well, taking a penalty, she played well over 60 minutes in total. Could she come on after only three days of rest and on the fourth day be able to now come on and put on a performance, to start?
"Well now clearly she has, fantastic work by the conditioning team - you have one of the finest, if not the best, female player in the world starting for Australia tonight in our first ever semi-final, that is good news."
While Kerr's addition is a huge boost for the Matildas, the flipside is a change to the back four, with rock solid central defender Alanna Kennedy ruled out due to illness. The Matildas said Kennedy was too sick to attend the game, with veteran Clare Polkinghorne taking her place.
Alanna Kennedy receives medical attention after a head clash. Asanka Brendon Ratnayake via Getty Images
Foster said Matildas fans should be confident that their team could get the job done on Wednesday night but added that the margin in either direction would be wafer thin.
"This is incredibly tight, when you're up against a team who everyone knows, in the Lionesses, has only lost once in the last 36, 37 games, but that was (against) Australia.
"(Star forward) Lauren James is out, a little understrength ... the thing with Sam is what that will say to England is 'listen, if you guys want to come out and try to control the game, alright, good luck, we've got Mary, we've got Sam and of course the two wingers..."
