The Matildas are backing themselves to cover for injured captain Sam Kerr when they take on Uzbekistan away in the first leg of their Olympic qualifiers.
They will face Uzbekistan twice in five days — first in Tashkent on Saturday, then in Melbourne on Wednesday — with the winner of the two-legged play-off securing their spot in Paris.
Kerr is sidelined after rupturing her ACL during a Chelsea training camp last month.
Matildas players have consistently pointed out how well they fared at the World Cup while Kerr was sidelined with a calf injury.
But unlike the World Cup campaign, Kerr — and her infectious personality and leadership – will not be part of the Matildas set-up at all across the two upcoming matches.
Steph Catley will once again assume the Matildas captaincy, while coach Tony Gustavsson tries to replace Kerr up front.
Amy Sayer, who can play in the midfield or up forward, backed the Matildas to find a solution to cover for the absent Kerr.
“It’s really unfortunate that we’ve lost Sam,” Sayer said.
“She’s one of the best players on the team and she is our captain, so that’s a big gaping hole that’s been left in her absence.
“But I think that the tactics of the team and the principles that have been laid down from the very beginning of Tony’s tenure have really helped us close that gap a little bit, and then it just comes to who can really fill Sam’s shoes.”
The Matildas have called upon veteran Michelle Heyman for the first time in five years, while the likes of Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler and Emily van Egmond have also spent time centrally.
But Sayer, 22, has impressed when given opportunities.
“Without Sam on the team, I know that I play a similar position, and in the past I have been the substitute for her, in that number nine or number 10 attacking midfield role,” Sayers said.
“I’m not trying to fill her shoes exactly, because she is that special player, but I think I have similar qualities — and some different ones as well — that can help provide a benefit to the team.”
