In a moment celebrated by football fans across the nation, Matildas captain Sam Kerr has finally stepped back onto Australian soil to play for the national team. The superstar striker made her long-awaited return in Australia's second clash against New Zealand, marking a significant milestone in her recovery from a devastating ACL injury sustained in January 2024.
A Cautious Comeback After Calf Concerns
The path to this return wasn't entirely smooth. Kerr was originally slated to feature in the first match of the series, a 5-0 thrashing of New Zealand, but was a late withdrawal due to calf soreness. This issue echoed the calf problems that hampered her during the memorable home World Cup campaign. However, any concerns were quickly allayed when she was named in the starting XI for the second contest in Adelaide.
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro addressed the situation ahead of the match, stating there were no major worries. "She came in with a little bit of calf tightness. Wasn't great, she trained fully, there was no problem," Montemurro told media. "We just felt that she needed a little bit more load, probably a little bit early for tonight's game."
An Immediate Impact on the Pitch
Despite the lengthy layoff, the 32-year-old Perth-born sensation showed she hadn't lost her edge. Kerr was a dangerous presence from the opening minutes, sending her first attempt on goal agonisingly wide of the upright. Her movement and threat were immediate, a promising sign for the national team.
It was, however, defender Alanna Kennedy who opened the scoring, firing home a one-time strike from inside the box after the ball was kicked away from Hayley Raso. The match served as Australia's final hit-out before a crucial tournament on home soil.
Perfect Timing for a Home Campaign
Kerr's return is strategically vital, coming just months before the Matildas host the home Asia Cup campaign, kicking off in Western Australia on March 1. Her last appearance for the Matildas in Australia was during an Olympic qualifying tournament in Perth in late 2023, making this comeback emotionally charged.
Speaking to Paramount Plus before the match, Kerr expressed her joy at being back. "It feels good to be back," she said. "I played the games before, but it's different playing in Aus, it just feels different. I thought we played really well last week. The attacking play was really nice. Happy to play tonight. Last game I had hoped I could've got up, but the calf was a little bit sore, but good to go."
The successful return of their captain and talismanic striker provides a massive boost to the Matildas' morale and firepower as they enter a pivotal period aiming for continental glory in front of their home fans.
