Matildas Captain Sam Kerr Touches Down in Perth for Women's Asian Cup
Australian football superstar and Matildas captain Sam Kerr has made an emotional return to her hometown of Perth, arriving just days before the highly anticipated Women's Asian Cup tournament begins. The celebrated athlete touched down at Perth Airport shortly before midnight on Tuesday, marking a significant homecoming ahead of what promises to be a landmark football event for Western Australia.
Family Arrival and Homecoming Celebration
Kerr arrived alongside her wife Kristie Mewis and their baby son Jagger, creating a heartwarming family moment at the international arrivals gate. Mewis emerged first with Jagger in tow, while Kerr followed closely behind managing their luggage. The family was immediately greeted by Kerr's parents, Roger and Roxanne, who welcomed their daughter back to Western Australian soil with open arms.
The timing of Kerr's arrival carries special significance, as Perth prepares to host the opening match of the Women's Asian Cup this Sunday when Australia takes on the Philippines at Optus Stadium. This marks a particularly meaningful moment for Kerr, who has spent the better part of 18 months recovering from an ACL injury that sidelined her until September of last year.
Excitement Builds for Tournament Opening
"I'm just excited to get out here and play," Kerr declared upon her arrival. "We've been waiting a while for the Asian Cup, and obviously with my injury, I've been looking forward to it."
The Matildas captain expressed particular satisfaction that Perth would play such a prominent role in the tournament, especially considering the city missed out on hosting matches during the team's remarkable 2023 Women's World Cup campaign. During that tournament, the Matildas captured the nation's imagination with their stunning run to the semifinals, though Perth didn't host any matches during that competition.
"Perth missed out in the World Cup, but we've got the opening game of the Asian Cup, so it kind of makes up for it," Kerr explained. "It's going to be awesome. I can't wait."
Return to Form and Tournament Confidence
Kerr arrives in excellent goal-scoring form, having found the back of the net for her club side Chelsea in a 2-1 Women's FA Cup victory over Manchester United just hours before departing for Australia. The striker confirmed that her surgically repaired knee feels "completely fine" and expressed confidence in her current physical condition.
"I'm ready to go. I'm looking forward to the games beginning," she stated. "I feel like whenever I'm on the pitch, I'm confident in my ability to score."
When questioned about Australia's chances of lifting the Asian Cup trophy, Kerr responded with characteristic determination. "We'll take it one game at a time, but I definitely think so," she asserted. "Off the back of the World Cup and with the home crowd behind us, I think it's a massive advantage for us."
Family Support and Team Arrivals
Kerr acknowledged the potential challenge of having her young son witness her matches, given the late starting times of some games. "I don't even know if he'll make it, to be honest. They're pretty late," she admitted. "It'll be exciting for him to be there for his first Matildas game."
The Matildas captain traveled on the same flight as teammate Clare Hunt, with the remainder of the squad not already in Perth expected to arrive on Wednesday. Perth will host ten matches throughout the tournament, including two quarterfinals and a semifinal, providing Western Australian fans with unprecedented access to elite women's football.
Kerr's return to Perth represents both a personal homecoming and a significant moment for Australian football, as the Matildas prepare to build on their World Cup success in front of home crowds. The tournament opener at Optus Stadium promises to be an electric occasion, with Kerr leading her team onto home soil for what could be another historic chapter in Australian women's football.
