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Australia XI
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The Kerr question…?
Matildas captain Sam Kerr has been on a lighter training load since landing in camp and also missed her last two club games for Chelsea. It appears that her knee is still giving her trouble even after that very long recovery period.
Kerr and coach Joe Montemurro have indicated that she will decide how many minutes she plays against the Football Ferns. Obviously fans will be eager to see the striker given it would be the first time she has played at home in two years.
Still not fully fit: Sam Kerr has been on a ‘prevised’ restricted training plan in Australia. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 03.13 EST
With these two friendlies the last hitout before the Asian Cup in March much focus is on whether the Matildas can pull together a strong tilt at the title. But in other sectors of the Australian football landscape some are paying closer attention to waning levels of interest in the Matildas since the 2023 World Cup phenomenon.
My colleague Jack Snape has taken a look at how things have shifted since the Matildas became Australia’s favourite sporting team.
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Preamble
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the international friendly between Australia and New Zealand in Gosford. I’m Jo Khan and I’ll be taking you through the pre-game news, minute-by-minute play report and into some reactions.
Kick-off at Polytec Stadium is 7.30pm AEDT, or 9.30pm if you are over the ditch.
Please send your comments or questions through to me at jo.khan@theguardian.com.
Let’s get into it!
A general view of Polytec Stadium ahead of the match between Australia and New Zealand. Photograph: Mark Evans/AAPShare
