Alanna Kennedy ruled out of Matildas’ World Cup third-place playoff due to concussion | OneFootball

Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy will miss Australia’s third-place World Cup play-off with Sweden on Saturday due to a concussion suffered in the quarter-final against France.

Kennedy was a late withdrawal from the starting line-up for the semi-final against England on Wednesday. At the time, Football Australia indicated that Kennedy was unwell but did not provide further details.

On Friday morning, Football Australia issued a statement confirming the 28-year-old will miss the third-place match, to be held at Brisbane Stadium on Saturday evening.

“Kennedy has been ruled out after subsequently exhibiting delayed concussion symptoms stemming from Australia’s quarter-final victory over France,” said the statement.

On Friday afternoon, Kennedy issued a brief message on Instagram. “Heart broken to be ruled out with a concussion,” she wrote. “However, I’m excited to be able to support from the sidelines tomorrow and watch the girls create even more history. Stay with us for 1 more Australia.”

Football Australia officials had previously said Kennedy’s absence on Wednesday was not concussion-related. It is understood Kennedy trained with the team earlier in the week, before the late onset symptoms emerged.

Kennedy has formed a sturdy defensive partnership with Clare Hunt throughout this tournament and her absence was a blow for the Matildas in the semi-final. Veteran Clare Polkinghorne played alongside Hunt for her first start of the tournament.

“It seems to be one of those tournaments where curveball after curveball is thrown at us,” Gustavsson said on Wednesday after the defeat to England. “The team have been tremendous in being able to adapt to whatever is thrown at us.”

Along with Kennedy’s concussion, both Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik have experienced concussion symptoms at this tournament – forcing the pair to miss matches under the protocol – while captain Sam Kerr injured her calf on the eve of the World Cup.

“At lunchtime [on Wednesday], we got the notice from the medical team that Alanna was ruled out,” the coach said. “I had to make a last-minute change and we’ve done a lot of those in this tournament and they’ve been really, really good at dealing with it.”

Following the encounter Gustavsson hailed Polkinghorne’s ability to slot into the heart of defence. “Clare Polkinghorne with her experience and mentality had no problem stepping in and playing the game,” he said. “The challenge for her was that she hasn’t played a game for a very, very long time with her injury.”

Gustavsson has been criticised for his limited use of substitutes at the World Cup, with Australia having the fewest substitute minutes and lowest squad usage of any team at the tournament. The third-place play-off may provide an opportunity for some of Australia’s next generation of stars, including the likes of Alex Chidiac, Cortnee Vine and Charlotte Grant.

Kerr and Gustavsson will face the media at Fifa’s official pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, where the coach will be expected to provide a full fitness update on the squad.