Superstar Sam Kerr to start in Matildas’ WWC semi-final

Anna Harrington | August 16, 2023

Matildas captain Sam Kerr will start the Women’s World Cup semi-final against England in a monumental boost to Australia’s hopes of reaching Sunday’s final.

Kerr replaces Emily van Egmond in the biggest game in Australian football history at Stadium Australia.

But Australia have lost central defender Alanna Kennedy to illness, with veteran Clare Polkinghorne called upon to partner Clare Hunt.

Kerr missed Australia’s first three games with the calf injury suffered on the eve of the tournament opener against Ireland.

She played 10 minutes coming off the bench against Denmark and then 65 minutes in the shootout quarter-final win over France, where she converted a crucial penalty.

Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer (63 goals in 123 games), Kerr scored one goal and assisted another in Australia’s 2-0 friendly win over England in April and will be chasing her first goal of this World Cup.

Kerr’s first start, likely alongside Mary Fowler, is a major boost for coach Tony Gustavsson, especially given the mileage some of her teammates have covered throughout the tournament.

Kennedy’s absence is a huge blow given her strong partnership alongside Hunt, which has included four clean sheets, while her height and aerial ability makes her a threat at set pieces.

Football Australia confirmed Kennedy did not have COVID-19 but would not be in attendance.

Five-time World Cup attendee and Australian games record holder Polkinghorne is making her first start after a build-up affected by plantar fasciitis.

England have named an unchanged starting line-up.

MATILDAS STARTING LINE-UP: Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Clare Polkinghorne, Steph Catley, Katrina Gorry, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Hayley Raso, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Sam Kerr.