Sam Kerr enjoyed a record-breaking 2017 for both club and country, but there’s some unfinished business for the Westfield Matildas striker.
While Australia’s golden girl scored a stack of goals for the national team, Sky Blue FC in the NWSL and Perth Glory in the Westfield W-League, she didn’t find the net in the Westfield Matildas 2017 Algarve Cup campaign.
It’s something the 24-year-old wants to put right against the likes of Norway, Portugal and China in the upcoming tournament.
“Last time I didn’t really score so hopefully score some goals and continue the run of scoring,” Kerr told https://matildas.footballaustralia.com.au when asked her personal goals for the tournament in Portugal.
“Just help the team out in any way. It’s a really tough tournament – a game, and [then] a day off – you’ve got to back it up.
“I want to stay fit and healthy and just be available for every game and hopefully score some goals.”
The Algarve Cup is the start of a massive few months for the Westfield Matildas, with the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan in April before their title defence at the Tournament of Nations in America.
Among all that is a game close to Kerr’s heart, March’s friendly against Thailand in her hometown of Perth.
“When I heard about it I was pumped. People have been asking me for ages, ‘When are the Matildas coming to Perth?’ I think we’ll get a huge crowd there, and ticket sales have already been quite good,” said Kerr.
“It’s an opportunity for Australia to see probably the best women’s side in sport play in Perth, and it doesn’t happen very often. Well, it’s never happened!
“So, jump at the opportunity and see what us girls are about! It’s such a better game live too, which I think is a cool thing about our sport. Hopefully Perth can get behind us and send us off to the Asian Cup.”
Asked if the Westfield Matildas were using the Algarve Cup as a warm-up for the Asian Cup – which doubles as FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers – Kerr said: “It’s more of an opportunity to grow together and get more experience.
“They’re good teams that we are playing, so any time you get to play internationally is a bonus.
“You could say it is a warm-up but it’s more just the experience and the more time playing together, the better.”
The Westfield Matildas first match at the Algarve Cup is against Norway on Thursday, March 1 (AEDT), kicking off at 5.30am and broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS 503.