Sam Kerr made a statement with her leaping header – the Matildas’ leader is back | OneFootball

There was no signature backflip, and only the briefest acknowledgment of the adoring Perth crowd. Sam Kerr has scored 70 international goals, but her first in 851 days meant more than most.

Nodding home early in the Asian Cup opener against the Philippines on Sunday, Kerr ran off and clenched her left first, and looked to the blue sky above her home town. Only she knows what was going through her mind. But we got a hint. As the fluorescent yellow swarm engulfed her, Kerr turned and greeted each teammate with a wide grin, high fives and hugs. Unsaid between each exchange was that Australia’s captain – the Matildas’ talisman – was back.

Kerr said she might only be at 85% of her peak in the pre-match press conference. She has not yet rediscovered the form that once made her one of the best players in the world, as the ACL injury of more than two years ago – as well as medical complications during her rehabilitation – left her an uncertain contributor in this tournament.

This leaping, powerful finish was from a striker of high distinction, a trademark header that was a flashback of her brilliant best. She also played every minute, signalling coach Joe Montemurro will lean on his captain throughout this whirlwind three-week tournament.

While there were glimpses of the old Kerr, the game developed into a stuttering, physical contest, and the present and all its imperfections loomed large. Australia had thumped these same opponents 8-0 in Perth in 2023, but against a disciplined, determined Filipinas coached by former Western United boss Mark Torcaso, the home side struggled to create chances and Kerr was given little space in and around the box.

It underscored that the Matildas still have some way to go to return to the heights of the 2023 World Cup and its immediate aftermath – both on the pitch and off. Their match against the Philippines back in 2023 attracted almost 60,000 to the same stadium as Sunday’s clash. The lower-than-expected crowd of 44,379 underlines the public has not yet quite jumped back aboard the Matildas train after two years of uneven performances.

There may not have been another avalanche of goals, but as the final whistle blew, the Matildas smiled and celebrated. The home side came away with three points and a clean sheet – as well as a clean bill of health – providing a fair foundation for their assault on the Asian Cup. The defence, with Wini Heatley and Clare Hunt in the centre and Steph Catley on the left, was untroubled, and Mary Fowler starred in a late cameo, engineering several half chances.

Before the match, there were signs this might not be Australia’s night. At the end of the opening ceremony, 12 volunteers ran off with the flags of the tournament’s competing nations. But as the group left the slick stage for the grassy outfield, the one carrying the host nation’s flag stumbled.

White socks up to her knees, she could not keep her feet, falling and sliding on her stomach along the Perth stadium turf. The blue southern cross, flying proudly in the Fremantle doctor, followed her to the ground, as the other flagbearers stepped around the flapping hazard. She quickly regained her feet, sheepishly finished her journey, throwing her head back in embarrassment as she reached the safety of the race. “Dream fearless”, the tournament’s slogan, flashed up on the big screen.

Three hours later, the captain had ensured this was no Asian Cup banana peel. Instead, it was an occasion for the Kerr-believers. The proud sandgroper enjoyed the loudest roar from the crowd as she led the Matildas out, and the troubles of the past two years – of London constables and knee rehabilitation – seemed as remote as the capital of Western Australia. Her heading in, wheeling away from the goal, and hugging Caitlin Foord seemed somehow inevitable. The Asian Cup is here, and the Kerr show is just warming up.

Header image: [Photograph: James Worsfold/Getty Images]