A memorable win over England has given Australia a huge boost ahead of the Women’s World Cup on home soil, but Sam Kerr immediately warned against getting carried away with the result after the Matildas captain put in another star turn.
Australia bounced back from a 1-0 defeat to Scotland in the first of two international friendlies in the UK last week, with Kerr returning to the side in Brentford to score one and make another in a memorable 2-0 win over the reigning European champions and world No 4 team.
Coach Tony Gustavsson sent out a side heavily weakened by injury, but Kerr’s first-half opener and a second from Charlotte Grant after the break secured the victory that finally snapped England’s 30-match unbeaten run with 100 days to go before the start of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The result saw Australia return to winning ways after their seven-match winning streak was broken in the match against Scotland, which Kerr missed along with other high-profile absentees including Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyah Simon. But the Chelsea striker remained circumspect in her analysis of the latest result.
“We’ve got a lot of players out, but unfortunately beating England doesn’t win us anything – I wouldn’t be here if it did, I’d be out celebrating,” Kerr said. “They’re a great team. It’s always nice to put in a good team performance and beat a top team. But we better take everything with a grain of salt before the World Cup – it’s about building on our performances and where we can get better.
“So, of course, it feels really nice right now and we will enjoy it tonight, but it’s just one step on the journey to the World Cup. England’s such a big footballing nation, hopefully there are some happy Aussies, but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves.”
Mystery had surrounded Kerr’s absence from Gustavsson’s lineup for the Scotland game, and further uncertainty was cast around her fitness when she limped off the pitch deep into injury time at Gtech Community Stadium.
But the striker later revealed she is not carrying an injury – she said “I jarred my knee a little bit” – and her absence from Friday’s match was down to managing a busy workload on both club and national fronts.
“No, no injury,” she said. “Look, I’ve had a big few months, I’ve got a bit of a sore foot but it was about the bigger picture. There’s a World Cup coming and between Chelsea and the national team, we’ve tried to figure out the best plan for myself, which is best for both teams.
“And this week, the best plan after a really big month with Chelsea, it was best we managed my load. So the plan was always just to be playing 90 minutes tonight.”
The injury status of his star player was the first thing on Gustavsson’s mind when the final whistle blew on Tuesday night.
“That’s because I was really worried,” said the Swede. “Yes, I was happy about the win but my concern was about her health, considering the situation we have, considering her importance.
“She didn’t play versus Scotland, she’s coming from a very tough period in clubland and we want to look at the bigger picture to minimise the minutes for her – but I also knew how much she wanted to play this game.”
Gustavsson hailed the discipline and tactical execution his side displayed in the win over England but, like Kerr, stressed the need to keep their heads with the World Cup looming large.
“We need to stay very, vey humble,” he said. “Sometimes you’re not as bad as people say you are when you lose but you’re not as good as people say you are when you win either.”
Australia have another friendly already lined up against France on 14 July before their World Cup campaign begins in Sydney against Ireland six days later.
