Australia captain and forward Sam Kerr was ruled out of two games of the Women's World Cup, including the opener against Ireland on Thursday, after picking up a calf injury in training a day earlier.
The team said she would re-assessed by the medical team after Australia's second group stage match on July 27th against Nigeria.
Kerr's loss is a boost to Ireland but big blow for Tony Gustavsson's 10th-ranked Matildas, who are considered one of the favourites to win their home tournament.
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The 29-year-old Chelsea striker is the all-time leading goalscorer for her country with 63 goals.
Kerr took to Instagram to express her disappointment in a post that read: “Unfortunately I sustained a calf injury yesterday in training.
“I wanted to share this with everyone so there is no distraction from us doing what we came here to achieve.
“Of course I would have loved to have been out there tonight but I can’t wait to be a part of this amazing journey which starts now.”
