It was a difficult night for Australian star Chloe Logarzo, whose long-awaited return from injury was distressingly cut short on Wednesday.
The Matildas recorded a tough 3-1 victory against Chinese Taipei in Melbourne, with Natasha Prior, Sharn Freier and Bryleeh Henry on the scoresheet.
Logarzo, 29, was making her first international appearance in more than three years and appeared visibly emotional as the Advance Australia Fair rang out at Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium, turning away from her teammates as she cried.
His last appearance for the Matildas was against Ireland in 2021 and he has since fought valiantly to recover from a series of horrific injuries including a torn ACL and a hip problem to return to full fitness.
But after helping his team take a 2-0 lead in the first 12 minutes of the match, Logarzo clashed heads with Taipei’s Chan Pi-Han. The two were fighting a headbutt, with Logarzo falling to the ground.
“That’s a really violent collision with Chan Pi-Han,” the commentator said.
With Logarzo falling to the ground, the commentator added: ‘He really hasn’t moved off the grass.’
Logarzo slowly stood up, but considering the nature of the blow to the head, doctors were forced to carry Logarzo off the field.
In heartbreaking scenes, the Western United star appeared to plead with team doctors, uttering the words “please, please” as she realized she was being taken away.
‘You can see her there saying ‘please, please’. But she has to go. “Concussion is a real danger in sport,” the commentator added.
‘You saw how much she wanted to be out there. It has been a very winding road for Chloe Logarzo. She is really fighting back tears.
After walking back to the sideline, Logarzo was seen with his head in his hands and appeared to cry heartbreakingly on the sideline, realizing his game was over.
More to follow…