Matildas ace Kerr faces fitness test for NZ friendly

Steve Larkin |

Matildas star Sam Kerr only signed autographs in Gosford, but could return to the pitch in Adelaide.
Matildas star Sam Kerr only signed autographs in Gosford, but could return to the pitch in Adelaide.

Australian ace Sam Kerr faces a match-eve fitness test to determine if she’ll play in the Matildas’ last game before the Asian Cup.

Australia host New Zealand on Tuesday night with Kerr’s fitness a major watch ahead of the clash at Adelaide’s Coopers Stadium.

Kerr missed the Matildas’ 5-0 torching of the Kiwis in Friday night’s friendly in Gosford.

The Chelsea striker was reportedly nursing a tight calf as she continues her reintegration following a knee reconstruction in January last year.

Kerr missed Chelsea’s last two games before joining the Matildas camp for the last hit-outs before next March’s Asian Cup.

The star striker only returned from her anterior cruciate ligament injury in September and carried a calf issue into national camp.

Matildas coach Joe Montemurro faces a selection conundrum ahead of game two against the Football Ferns.

Does he throw Kerr into the fray for her first match on home soil in two years, seeking a potential exclamation point entering the Asian tournament.

Or will he play it safe, knowing Kerr’s gradual fitness build should hold her in good stead come next March when the tournament rolls around.

(L-R) Joe Montemurro and Sam Kerr.
Joe Montemurro laughs with Kerr on the sidelines during the Matildas’ big win in Gosford. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

Matildas defender Clare Hunt says it’s a pleasant problem for the boss.

“That’ll be a decision up to Joe, but she’s training with the squad,” Hunt told AAP on Sunday.

The five-goal Gosford drubbing of the Kiwis was the Matildas’ biggest win in seven games under Montemurro, eclipsing a 3-0 win over Slovenia.

And Hunt believes the intent and cohesion on display from the world No.15 was as significant as the scoring against New Zealanders, ranked 33rd.

Clare Hunt.
Clare Hunt drives forward for the Matildas, who are in a positive mood for the next clash with NZ. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)

“Five-nil was reflective of our performance,” Hunt said.

“We controlled possession really well, and I think the team defended really well when we had to so it was a great all-round performance.

“It’s an opportunity that we took.

“We won the match and there were phases of play that Joe was really happy with.

“It’s built a great momentum for us moving forward into our next match, but also the Asian Cup next year.

“With the announcement of the 100 days to go a week or so ago, it’s been in the forefront.

“But there’s plenty of football matches to be played between now and then for a lot of the girls at clubland.”

AAP