Sermanni, Wheeler Discuss Injuries, Opportunities, And Sustaining Matildas' Momentum

Written by Oluwaseun Oyediji

Clare Wheeler, midfielder for the Australia senior women’s national team, expressed her excitement about playing in her hometown of Newcastle against the Korea Republic on Monday evening, calling it “amazing.”

More Details

Wheeler shared her thoughts during a pre-match press conference on Sunday, alongside Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni. They addressed topics such as injuries, the chance for other players to step up, and the significance of maintaining the momentum gained from recent victories as they prepare for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

“Growing up in Newcastle, the first place I kicked a ball was not far from the stadium,” Wheeler remarked.

“I have many family and friends attending the match, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to play in front of them.”

After coming off the bench in the Sydney match, Wheeler is expected to start in midfield against the Korea Republic on Monday. This presents a valuable chance for her to gain playing time after missing the last two international windows due to minor injuries.

“Whenever I wear the jersey, I strive to perform at my best. Given any opportunity, I aim to make a significant impact,” she stated.

“When I saw Newcastle on the schedule, I thought, ‘I have to be there.’ However, injuries are sometimes beyond our control. I focus on looking ahead rather than dwelling on the past and managing what I can.”

Read Also – Goal Line Technology: A Cursory Look At Efficacy Since Introduction

Injuries have unfortunately been a recurring issue during this international window, with Ellie Carpenter, Hayley Raso, and Mackenzie Arnold all having to withdraw from the camp.

Sermanni provided an update on Arnold, who has been ruled out of Monday’s match due to an injury sustained during training when she landed awkwardly on her arm.

“It’s not a serious injury, but it’s one of those situations where we cannot take any risks, especially with such a short turnaround between the injury and the game,” he explained.

Do you have story tips?

Kindly Email: keepup@bettitude.com

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube

Bookmark (0)

Please login to bookmark

About Author

Oluwaseun Oyediji

I am a huge advocate of Women’s football after covering the Nigeria Women Football Leagues (NWFL) since 2019. An unbiased football writer with penchant for women’s in sports and historical analysis.

See author's posts