Olympic dream over as Matildas player Amy Sayer suffers ruptured ACL playing for Swedish club side Kristianstads DFF

Anna Harrington
AAP
Matildas midfielder Amy Sayer has been ruled out of the Paris Olympics after rupturing her ACL. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)
Matildas midfielder Amy Sayer has been ruled out of the Paris Olympics after rupturing her ACL. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Matildas young gun Amy Sayer has ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament, ruling her out of the Paris Olympics.

Sayer had to be helped off the pitch while playing for Swedish club side Kristianstads DFF on the weekend, with scans confirming the severity of her injury.

Her ACL tear follows similar injuries to superstar captain Sam Kerr and young winger Holly McNamara.

Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.

Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.

Email Us
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

Midfielder Katrina Gorry (ankle) and defender Clare Hunt (foot stress fracture) are racing the clock to prove their fitness before the Olympics.

Aivi Luik (hamstring), Emily Gielnik (calf) and Chloe Logarzo (hip) are also battling injuries.

Sayer, 22, has 11 caps and featured regularly in recent Matildas squads after just missing out on last year’s Women’s World Cup.

She scored her first goal during February’s Olympic qualifiers against Uzbekistan and would have been pushing for selection for the 18-player squad for Paris.

“Since returning to the national team set-up in late 2022, Amy has been a positive addition to our team with her attitude and work ethic on and off the pitch,” coach Tony Gustavsson said in a statement.

“To have suffered this setback is an upsetting blow for Amy and for our Matildas family.

“As always for us, our priority will be on supporting Amy and ensuring she is provided with care and assistance as she needs to navigate this challenging time.”

Sayer will remain in Sweden for medical assessments before undergoing surgery then rehabilitation, with no timeline put on her return to play.

Comments

Latest Edition

The Nightly cover for 22-11-2024

Latest Edition

Edition Edition 22 November 202422 November 2024

How a Laos party town became the fatal final destination for at least five tourists in a mass methanol poisoning.