Canadians calm ahead of crucial Women's World Cup match vs. Australia

Two days before a match that will decide its future at the FIFA Women's World Cup, Canada exuded calm.

That despite news from Brisbane that Australia striker Sam Kerr is fit to play against the Canadians in Monday's Group B finale at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Just what role Kerr may play in the game is up in the air, with the Chelsea star saying she was "definitely going to be available, but how we decide to use that is not to be given to the opposition."

Still the mood in Canada's camp was upbeat and positive.

"We're ready to go. We're excited," midfielder Julia Grosso said after a team gym session Saturday. "We know this is a very important game, but I think this team always rises to the occasion with these big games."

"I think there's a calm confidence," added centre back Shelina Zadorsky. "But we're not naive to the fact that every game is a challenge."

"Being Canada, we've been in this situation before," said forward Cloé Lacasse. "We know what it's all about."

WATCH | Zadorsky says Canada filled with 'calm confidence':

The top two teams in each of the eight first-round groups advance to the knockout round. Canada (1-0-1) could finish anywhere from first to third in its pool.

The good news is the permutations favour the seventh-ranked Olympic champions. They will advance to the knockout round with a win or draw, and could even progress with a defeat, provided No. 40 Nigeria loses to No. 22 Ireland and the tiebreakers fall the right way.

The 10th-ranked Matildas (1-1-0) need to win to be certain of progressing. A draw will also work if Nigeria loses by two goals.

Australia has not gone out in the group stage since 2003. Canada's last early exit was in 2011, when it failed to win a game and finished last in