Australia’s Sam Kerr returned to club football for Chelsea in September in her first match since a serious knee injury in December 2023. Photo: AFP
PERTH:
Australia captain Sam Kerr admitted Saturday she was still only “85 percent” fit leading into the Women’s Asian Cup, but the Chelsea striker warned she was starting to hit her peak again.
Kerr returned to club football for Chelsea in September in her first match since picking up a serious knee injury in December 2023.
Being ready for the Asian Cup on home soil has been at the forefront of her mind and the 32-year-old will lead out Australia against the Philippines in Perth on Sunday in the opening game of the 12-team tournament.
“When you’re out for so long, you have all this self-doubt creep in,” said Kerr, who signed off with a goal against Manchester United in her final match before the Asian Cup.
“But I’ve had so many amazing people around me and I feel right at home with the Matildas, so it’s a good place for me to settle back in and be myself,” she added.
“I don’t want to say I’m at 100 (percent) yet — I haven’t had one of those games yet where I felt completely myself, but about 85 percent and above.”
Kerr is the only survivor from the Matildas team that won the continental competition in 2010 and she is playing at her fifth Asian Cup.
“Still to this day, that is one of the best moments in my footballing career,” she said of 2010.
“And I know how much this team wants to win something together. I know how much every player wants to win something for the Matildas.”
Australia thrashed the Philippines 8-0 when they last met at the 2023 World Cup.
But the contest is set to be closer this time with the Philippines on an upward trajectory under coach Mark Torcaso.
“We fight right to the end, regardless of the scenario in the game,” said Torcaso. “We’re just going to be there and be annoying and constantly be pushing.”
South Korea and Iran are also in their group.
Australia have some injury worries with first-choice goalkeeper Teagan Micah out of the tournament with concussion and fellow shot-stopper Mackenzie Arnold barely training this week.
It leaves coach Joe Montemurro with Chloe Lincoln, who has been capped just three times, or the uncapped Jada Whyman as his back-up.
“We’re monitoring it and and we’ve got it in control with our medical staff, and we’ll make some decisions in the next 24 hours,” he said. “I’m still deciding what my starting 11 is going to be.”
