- Matildas became Australia national team after 2023 World Cup heroics
- I haven’t reached the same heights with captain Sam Kerr injured
- NRL identity Andrew Voss believes they have gone backwards
- Former footballer Craig Foster disagreed, but is worried about the future
Former Socceroo turned human rights campaigner Craig Foster has criticized suggestions the Matildas are currently a difficult watch without injured captain Sam Kerr.
Foster, 55, was responding to a view expressed by SEN radio breakfast host Andrew Voss, who declared Australia’s favorite sports team has become vulgar.
This follows two recent home defeats against Brazil, but Foster, who has 29 caps to his name, disagrees.
“We have this incredible generation, the best generation we’ve ever had, but of course they only have a few more years left, so we have to plan for that,” Foster said Friday.
“That’s why (interim coach) Tom Sermanni has started training the next generation.
‘We don’t know what the next five or six years will be like. We are certainly hopeful that they (Matildas) maintain their performance levels.”
Voss is right, especially considering that golden girl Kerr, currently recovering from an ACL injury that has sidelined her since January, is 31 years old.
Former Socceroo turned human rights campaigner Craig Foster has criticized suggestions the Matildas are currently a tall order without injured captain Sam Kerr.
Rugby league identity Andrew Voss said he did not feel compelled to watch the Matildas in recent internationals against Brazil and Taiwan.
The Matildas captured the imagination of the Australian sporting public after reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup on home soil last year (pictured, Sam Kerr after scoring against England in the semi-final)
Fellow striker Caitlin Foord is 30 years old and, interestingly, the next best option is 36-year-old Michelle Heyman.
Once that trio retires, the future looks bleak for Australia when it comes to world-class forwards.
Foster stressed Football Australia must continue to search high and low for the next Matildas head coach, and the appointment must be a good one.
“This next coach is very important… he has been our Achilles’ heel in Australian football for both genders… controlling games and winning with the ball,” he added.
‘(That said) the Matildas are phenomenal to watch in every aspect. Even if they lose, the way they play… I love the way they approach the game.”
But the news isn’t all bleak for Tillies fans: Daniela Galic, Natasha Prior and Sharn Freier all made their first international starts for Australia against Taiwan this week in Melbourne, and they didn’t look out of place.
Prior, in particular, excelled with the ball at his feet and Galic looks like a generational talent in midfield at just 18 years old.
‘She plays with composure, authority. He has good defensive strength and is mobile,” Sermanni said of Prior after the 3-1 win over Taiwan at AAMI Park.
“I talked to the players before the game… ‘I want to see players come to this team and look like they belong’ and I think she’s done that.”
The Matildas will take on Taiwan again, this time in Geelong, on Saturday night from 7.30pm.