Australian media explain sending helicopter to spy on England ahead of Women's World Cup clash
England players have been training ahead of Australia Women's World Cup clash
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Australia's Daily Telegraph have explained their decision to send a helicopter to spy on England prior to their showdown this morning.
The publication shared images from a training session on the eve of the Women's World Cup semi-final.
They printed the stories with a headline that read: "Exclusive photos from England Lionesses' training session ahead of World Cup semifinal."
And they also explained their decision by saying they merely wanted to see how Sarina Wiegman's team were preparing for the showdown.
Australian media opted to spy on England ahead of Women's World Cup
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In fairness to the publication, they also did the same during a recent Australia training session to get information on Sam Kerr.
The Chelsea striker failed to make a single appearance in the group stages due to injury, though has made cameos in recent matches against the likes of France and Denmark.
Kerr is, however, a worry for Australia after pictures emerged showing the 29-year-old with strapping on her leg.
Australia boss Tony Gustavsson had, though, previously confirmed he expected the forward to be fit for the match with England.
Speaking on Tuesday, he said: "There'll be a meeting tonight again to see the best starting 11, the best finishing 11 and whether we plan for 90 minutes or plan for an extra time.
"If England's Lionesses thought they would happily fly into the World Cup semifinal under the radar they were in for a rude shock," they wrote.
"We've sent the chopper up to see how the old enemy are preparing."
Media are normally allowed some visual access of training sessions - but the images they published were from a closed one instead.
They also referenced the recent Ashes cricket series, aiming a dig at England for how they controversially won the fifth and final Test.
"It might not be in the spirit of football, but after last month's men's Ashes cricket series we will let the moral arbiters England pass judgement on what is and isn't acceptable in the world of sport," they added.
"There'll be some tough decisions again tonight but Sam is definitely available for selection."
And Gustavsson also ramped up mind games with England by saying the Lionesses were favourites to make the final.
"If you look at rankings they're favourites, if you look at where their players play, they have starting players in top clubs in top leagues all over the world," he said.
"Not just the starting 11, down to 15, 16. We have bench players in those teams. We have players playing in mid-table teams in Sweden.
"So if you look at all that and you look at resources, financially, obviously they are massive favourites going into this game.
"There'll be some tough decisions again tonight but Sam is definitely available for selection."
And Gustavsson also ramped up mind games with England by saying the Lionesses were favourites to make the final.
"If you look at rankings they're favourites, if you look at where their players play, they have starting players in top clubs in top leagues all over the world," he said.
"Not just the starting 11, down to 15, 16. We have bench players in those teams. We have players playing in mid-table teams in Sweden.
"So if you look at all that and you look at resources, financially, obviously they are massive favourites going into this game.
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Australia are sweating on the fitness of Sam Kerr ahead of England Women's World Cup showdown
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That remains the only game Wiegman has lost since taking charge of England back in 2020.