Sam Kerr's brilliant act for Steph Catley comes to light after Matildas victory

If Australia needed any extra reminding of the feel-good factor running through the Matildas squad, it came during an incredible post-match moment between captain Sam Kerr and stand-in skipper Steph Catley that went largely unseen on Monday night. The Aussie superstars were celebrating their clinical 2-0 win over Denmark that set up a quarter-final showdown with France in Brisbane on Friday.

Kerr was finally given her first taste of action at the World Cup in the final 15 minutes after a calf injury had kept her sidelined for Australia's three group stage games and most of the round of 16 clash. The 29-year-old Chelsea superstar came on to a rousing reception at Sydney's Stadium Australia, with Catley quick to pass on the captain's armband that she has won with aplomb in Kerr's absence.

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That was a nice touch, but it was a moment after the game when the Matildas banded together in a post-match huddle that really showed the level of respect between the two players. Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson could be seen in close discussions with the captain and vice-captain, before they gathered the team together for a post-match chat.

The discussion appeared to centre on who would deliver the captain's address to the players, with Kerr's invitation for Catley to lead proceedings turned down by the vice-captain. Cameras then picked up a moment where Kerr tried to hand over the captain's armband that Catley had worn with distinction throughout the tournament, but the midfielder again passed up the offer.

When Gustavsson finished his address to the players, Catley gave Kerr an encouraging nod and the skipper delivered her rosuing pep talk before the team erupted in delight. Catley was full of praise for her skipper after the game and what her return from injury meant for the Aussie side.

Matildas buoyed by Sam Kerr's return

“It’s incredible. How many times can you get to a quarter-final and then add your best player, one of the best players in the world back into your team, your captain?” Catley said. Matildas goalscorer Caitlin Foord added: : “It was massive, not only for us but for her, to come into the World Cup and start her dream now and be a part of our journey.

“It is a massive boost for us to have her back on the field and pretty scary for the opponents when they see her coming on. I’m excited for her to get more minutes in the next game.”

Kerr's left calf has become the most-talked about body part in Australia, but the Matildas captain's fitness status still remains a closely guarded secret. There was a collective gasp when she slipped on the greasy surface against Denmark, with Gustavsson admitting it made him "very nervous".

Kerr shrugged off the tumble and said: "I have terrible groins and just fell over like a normal thing. "I think it's just (under) a microscope, because I've been injured the last three weeks."

The superstar striker wouldn't be drawn on whether she was fit enough to start in Saturday's quarter-final, with the Matildas likely to be once again guided by the advice of the medical team. "The physios have a plan, I asked them if I could run after the game and they said no, so I'm sure I'll just be following their plan like I have the last few weeks," Kerr said.

Gustavsson's decision to bring Kerr on when the Aussies were already 2-0 up divided opinion, but the coach insisted it was a "risk" worth taking for her confidence and match sharpness. "We had a lot of talks with Sam about when we used here and if she needed minutes to get ready mentally or physically to get ready for the next game," Gustavsson said. "That means there's a risk, and how much are you willing to risk? It's a tough decision."

with AAP

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