Kerr celebrates Blues start with Champions League brace
Anna Harrington |
Sam Kerr has celebrated her first Chelsea start in almost two years by scoring a double, then declaring herself 100 per cent fit and “ready to go” for more game time and goals.
After returning for the Matildas with starts against Wales and England in late October, Kerr made her first club start since December 2023 in the Champions League clash with Austrian tournament debutants St. Poelten.
In encouraging signs ahead of Australia’s Asian Cup campaign in March, the Matildas captain led the line for all 94 minutes, grafting away before bagging a late brace in the thumping 6-0 win.
“It feels good. It felt like I had to work myself into it but yeah, happy to score,” Kerr told Disney Plus.
“Of course, I prefer to play more minutes … I feel like today was good. I had a few chances in the first half.
“I’m just happy to be back out here playing in the Champions League again with an amazing team. I’m relishing every moment.
“I feel 100 per cent but I was out for a while, so I have to build myself up. Today was a good set, right? Getting some good minutes in the national team was a good set.
“I’m definitely fit enough, it’s just about getting miles in the legs now. I’m ready to go.”
Australian teammate Ellie Carpenter set up Dutch midfielder Wieke Kaptein for the opener on 13 minutes and it was two by halftime thanks to Brazilian-born American forward Catarina Macario.
Macario netted her second from the spot in the 53rd before Kerr found the back of the net either side of a Lisa Ebert own goal.
The 32-year-old Kerr endured a frustrating night before taking the ball from Kaptein on the turn and slotting across Carina Schluter for her first Champions League goal since late 2023.
A cushioned header past the goalkeeper ended the scoring in added time.
For Kerr, who scored in the Women’s Super League two weekends ago against the London City Lionesses, the lengthy lay-off has meant the goals feel better than ever.
“It feels a bit sweeter but it feels a bit weird,” she said.
“I didn’t score for so long that I was like I haven’t celebrated, really. I haven’t got that celebration thing yet.
“I’ve got to score a few more.”
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Carpenter’s former side Lyon enjoyed a 3-1 victory over German powerhouse Wolfsburg.
The eight-time winners from France triumphed in the 11th meeting between the two sides, but Aussie goalkeeper Teagan Micah remained on the bench for hosts Lyon.
Another Matildas defender in Wini Heatley played a full game in Roma’s 1-0 home defeat to Valerenga.
Stine Brekken scored in the 40th minute for the Norwegian club’s first-ever win in the competition.
And in Spain, Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Paris FC.
With AP.
AAP
