Proud Stajcic hails ‘maturing’ Kerr

Westfield Matildas coach Alen Stajcic has praised the growing maturity of superstar Sam Kerr following her stunning run of form in 2017.

Australia recorded a seventh-straight victory with a 5-1 demolition of China PR in Geelong on Sunday, backing up a 3-0 win over the same opposition on Wednesday night.

Sam Kerr netted a brace in both matches, becoming the first Australian female to score in six consecutive matches.

“She's a true professional,” Stajcic told media after the game.

“I think she showed that with the amount of attention she's had over the last three or four months.

“It's really gone from zero to a hundred in terms of how much publicity and recognition she's had in the media.

“To still come out and be able to perform just shows how much she's matured as a person.

“She's really becoming one of the superstars of Australian sport.

“To be able to reproduce effort after effort in every game – what else can you say?

“I'm just really proud of the way she's matured as a person off the field and been able to transfer all of that onto the field and become a leader on and off the park for our team.

“She's got all the good qualities we want to see in one of our team members,” said Stajcic.

While Kerr again excelled in the attacking third, goalkeeper Lydia Williams also caught the eye with a string of outstanding saves.

And Stajcic was equally glowing of his goalkeeper and the growing depth between the posts.

“Lydia was excellent,” Stajcic said.

“It was good to see her come into a game like this and produce at least four or five world class saves.

“To know we've got someone like that to rely on should we concede so many chances is a relief.

“Mackenzie [Arnold] played well the other night and young Eliza [Campbell] has had two appearances now and hasn't put a foot wrong.

“It's not easy coming on as a ‘keeper and she's done well in both games as well,” he said.