Kerr returns to greatness as the Matildas thrash the Football Ferns

Sam Kerr has delivered an impressive performance for the Matildas during Australia’s 2-0 win over New Zealand at Coopers Stadium on Tuesday.

Kerr reminded Tillies fans what they had been missing as she delivered a return to her usual showstopping form in a 45 minute appearance.

Kerr’s excellent first-half performance has moved Australia much closer to being among the favourites for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup title – if the super striker can continue to recover from the injury that put her career on hold for more than a year.

With next year’s Asian Cup on home soil, seeing Kerr fit and firing could be the boost the Matildas need – a fitting way to close the national team’s final clash before the tournament.

Alanna Kennedy’s rocket in the 19th minute of the clash was enough to separate the sides at the break, but most eyes were on Kerr’s progress since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament* (ACL) in January 2024.

The Matildas’ skipper* was surprisingly sharp despite returning from injury.

At the same time, Kerr has added more quality, street smarts and better timing to her game.

Kerr was replaced at the break for Holly McNamara.

Hayley Raso made it 2-0 with a super sweet, angled volley* from 10m after a brilliant Steph Catley corner turned into a defensive nightmare for New Zealand in the 70th minute.

“I’m definitely feeling good and I love playing for Australia,’’ Raso told Paramount Plus.

“This is my happy place.”

In a fitting finale, New Zealand’s legendary Annalie Longo was given a standing ovation from the 15,097 fans in the stadium when she joined the game and wore the captain’s armband in her last international appearance for the Football Ferns.

Longo, 34, made her international debut* in 2006, as a 15-year-old.

KERR-BOOM
The Adelaide game was Kerr’s first Matildas game since playing for 69 minutes in a 3-0 loss to England away on October 28.

Since an ACL injury in January 2024, the world game and the Matildas have missed her pace, poise and ruthless attacking instinct.

At Tuesday’s match against New Zealand, Kerr lifted the team and electrified the crowd, giving a glimpse of the impact she could have in a game.

Kerr’s combination passes were a treat.

In the 19th minute, Kerr’s quick-thinking inside pass carved the opening goal for Kennedy.

A simple throw-in from Ellie Carpenter led to the damage when Kerr became involved in the power play.

Kerr released the hard-running Raso inside the box with a deft touch* before a loose ball rolled out to Kennedy, who shot the ball home from 12 metres.

PEPE’S PLAN
In just his eighth match in charge, it’s clear Matildas coach Joe “Pepe” Montemurro is deliberately reshaping the Matildas’ identity.

Montemurro made six changes to the side, which belted the Football Ferns 5-0 in Gosford last Friday, but the song remained the same.

His back line was anchored by the elegant Catley, 31, who has become the side’s calm, candid* organiser.

Rarely wasteful in possession, Catley, currently playing for English club Arsenal, is being used in a way that makes the most of her strengths — composure*, clarity and clean distribution.

Montemurro has introduced a more assertive philosophy built on a structured high press*, smarter occupation of space between the lines, and a refined blend of tempo and patience.

The Matildas now look more in control.

With these changes taking place, Australia is beginning to look more like a side capable of re-entering the global elite* — maybe even making it into the top four nations after the momentum generated by the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil.

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GLOSSARY

• anterior cruciate ligament: a major ligament in the knee that provides stability and stops the shin bone moving too far forward compared to the thigh bone
• skipper: captain
• volley: when a player strikes the ball out of the air before it hits the ground
• debut: first time playing
• deft touch: a skilful and quick way of handling something
• candid: truthful and straightforward
• composure: being calm and in control
• high press: a soccer tactic where a team defends high up in the pitch in order to put pressure on their opponents deep in their own territory
• elite: the best

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QUICK QUIZ
1. How long was Sam Kerr’s appearance in Tuesday’s match against New Zealand?
2. What was the final score?
3. How old was New Zealand’s legendary Annalie Longo when she played her first international match in 2006?
4. What are some changes that new Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has made to the side?
5. Which player has been described as the anchor to the Matilda’s back line?

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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Soccer street smarts?
Sam Kerr is described as adding more “street smarts” to her game. What do you think this means or looks like in a football game? Write an explanation. Use information from the story to help you.

Time: allow at least 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education

2. Extension
Choose one of the amazing moments from the game that are in the story. Imagine that you are a podcast or radio commentator. Write the script of how you would describe that moment for your listeners. Remember that your audience cannot see what is happening - it’s your job to bring the skills, action and excitement to life!

Time: allow at least 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education

VCOP ACTIVITY
Read this!
A headline on an article – or a title on your text – should capture the attention of the audience, telling them to read this now. So choosing the perfect words for a headline or title is very important.

Create three new headlines for the events that took place in this article. Remember, what you write and how you write it will set the pace for the whole text, so make sure it matches.

Read out your headlines to a partner and discuss what the article will be about based on the headline you created. Discuss the tone and mood you set in just your few, short words. Does it do the article justice? Will it capture the audience’s attention the way you hoped? Would you want to read more?

Consider how a headline or title is similar to using short, sharp sentences throughout your text. They can be just as important as complex ones. Go through the last text you wrote and highlight any short, sharp sentences that capture the audience.