Dropping like flies: Gustavsson's selection gaffe leaves Matildas short heading into Nigeria clash

With Sam Kerr still doing nothing more than strolling around the training pitch, the Matildas have been struck further blows with star midfielder Mary Fowler and experienced substitute Aivi Luik both being ruled out of the team’s second match of the 2023 World Cup against Nigeria.

Coach Tony Gustavsson’s training sessions have obviously been of a high intensity, with both Fowler and Luik suffering concussions and now following the head injury protocols that should see both available on Monday for the final group stage match against Canada.

The latest injuries have sent the Matildas’ preparations into a spin, with Fowler key to the structure of the team as the most consistent and skilled provider from the midfielder. Luik is a key replacement in the back-half and despite her now veteran status, still one of the best holding midfielders available to the coach.

With Kerr absent for at least the opening two matches, Tameka Yallop having taken a knock against France in a pre-tournament friendly and now two further injuries to players likely to see match time over the course of the next two games, Gustavsson’s selection of Kyah Simon now comes into serious question.

Off the back of a long term injury and with almost no football under her belt, Simon was selected as an attacking back-up for Kerr, yet unavailable for the opening match against Republic of Ireland last Thursday night.

Frankly, it seems absurd from the outside, with no other player fit to fill the striking position of Kerr outside of Simon selected, and players that could fill that space such as Emily Gielnik and Remy Siemsen left out of the squad.

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Gustavsson thought better of selecting both and opted for Simon as a reserve option to Kerr and striking partner Caitlin Foord.

Now, with Kerr injured and seemingly more seriously than Football Australia and the coach would have us believe, Simon has also been absent from the high intensity drills occurring in the main group and simply walking laps with a trainer as we approach the halfway point of the tournament.

Yallop’s injury was unlucky and she is ready to go against Nigeria. However, very little has been made of the risk Gustavsson took in selecting Simon and the now awkward position he finds himself in.

Losing Kerr and Fowler is one thing, yet not having a key back-up makes the situation dire.

Cortnee Vine is still young and learning her craft at international level. Hayley Raso is an effort player who rarely lets the Matildas down, despite not being the goal scorer required leading into what increasingly looms as a danger game for the Australians.

Far too much will now be resting on the shoulders of Foord leading into a crucial match that could well decide the Matildas’ fate.

Caitlin Foord. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

She will have little support up front and the sloppy midfield ball distribution that we saw in the opening match of the tournament is a real concern heading into the clash with Nigeria.

Few called out the odd selection of Simon in the squad, despite the veteran having almost no runs on the board in terms of recent play of any quality.

I did and Gustavsson could well be regretting his decision, knowing that the Nigerians’ defence against Canada held firm for the duration of the contest and secured a point against the Olympic champions.

The African side have the weapons to trouble the Aussies and proved in their opening match of the tournament that they can hold firm defensively when required, with a penalty save keeping the clean sheet that eventually saw them secure a surprising draw.

Asisat Oshoala is a world-class player who troubled the Canadians and has more striking potential that the Matildas front-line when given the service required. Along with Toni Payne, the Nigerians have the potency to trouble the home side and will play as if their tournament rests on the result.

The Matildas looked average against a brave Irish side and would have been hoping for better distribution from midfield from Fowler and Raso against Nigeria in order to provide more chances for those playing up front.

Now, with Kerr out, Simon far from fit and undeserving of her place in the tournament and Fowler now sidelined for the next six days, Gustavsson will need to find the combinations required to secure the three points that advance the Matildas through to the Round of 16, regardless of the result against Canada in their final group game.

The Swede has problems on his hands, some of which are of his own making.

Managing them and finding a solution that earns the win would have been a lot easier without the bizarre selection of Simon and the absence of an attacking player actually ready to step into the void.