Australia’s co-hosts for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik, have been dealt a blow ahead of their Group B clash against Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Thursday.
Both players have been ruled out of the upcoming match after suffering mild concussions during a training session on Tuesday.
The news was confirmed on the official website of the Australian women’s national team.
Matildas forward Mary Fowler, who had previously featured in their triumphant 1-0 victory against debutants Republic of Ireland, was unfortunately replaced on the 85th minute of the game.
On the other hand, defender Aivi Luik, despite being on the squad, remained an unused substitute for the Matildas in the previous match.
Football Australia has taken the necessary precautions and protocols to ensure the safety and recovery of the players.
Both Fowler and Luik are reported to have fully recovered from their mild concussions and are already undergoing the Graduated Return to Play protocol, which is a standard procedure to ensure a safe return to action after such injuries.
The upcoming clash with Nigeria’s Super Falcons will be a significant match for both teams. Interestingly, it’s not the first time these two sides meet at the Women’s World Cup.
They previously faced off during the group stage of the 2015 edition in Canada, where Australia secured a 2-0 victory.
The absence of Fowler and Luik from the upcoming match may pose challenges for the Australian team, but they have a talented squad and will likely aim to maintain their winning momentum from the previous game.
On the other hand, Nigeria’s Super Falcons will be eager to seize this opportunity to secure a crucial win in the highly competitive tournament.
Nigerian and Australia Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the Thursday night clash, anticipating a thrilling encounter between these two talented teams.
The Women’s World Cup continues to captivate audiences, with exciting matches and remarkable displays of skill and passion from the players.
As both teams prepare for this crucial showdown, they will undoubtedly give their all on the field, aiming to make their mark in the prestigious tournament.
