|
|
|
|
Printable Page
03/01 05:44 CST Sam Kerr's header helps Australia edge Philippines in the
Women's Asian Cup opener
Sam Kerr's header helps Australia edge Philippines in the Women's Asian Cup
opener
PERTH, Australia (AP) --- The scene was set for a hometown star and Sam Kerr
delivered for Australia --- again --- with the only goal in a 1-0 win over
Philippines in the Women's Asian Cup tournament opener on Sunday.
The Chelsea striker scored with a header from the edge of the box in the 14th
minute following a cross from Clare Wheeler on the right and a header back
across goal from Caitlin Foord.
It was the 32-year-old Kerr's 70th goal for Australia and a welcome return from
a long-term knee injury that has prevented her from playing for the Matildas
since the 2023 World Cup.
The crowd of 44,379 was a record for the tournament and something of a tribute
to Kerr, who was raised in Perth.
The Australians went into the tournament hoping to relive the atmosphere
generated during the Women's World Cup on home soil almost three years ago,
when the Matildas shattered audience records on the way to the semifinals.
It wasn't all one-way, though. Australia had 85% of possession, had 15 shots on
goal and completed 674 passes to 118 for Philippines, but wasn't able to break
down the defense.
Hayley Raso appeared to give Australia a 2-0 lead when she found the back of
the net on the half-hour but it was disallowed for offside following a VAR
review.
Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel was heavily involved for Philippines, helping limit
the margin against the team considered a strong favorite to top a group also
containing 2022 runner-up South Korea and Iran.
Kerr played the full game and Australia also had a positive return from Mary
Fowler, who went on in the 68th minute in a long-awaited return from injury for
the Matildas.
"I think I'm just finding my confidence again," Kerr said in a post-game TV
interview. "I guess that's for other people to judge, but I feel like I'm still
my normal self.
"I've just got to get more touches in, around the box."
Australia hasn't won the continental title since 2010, losing the finals to
Japan in 2014 and ?18 and eliminated in the semifinals four years ago. This is
Kerr's fifth Asian Cup campaign and she's determined to win it again.
"Today was a good start and there's lots of belief within the team," Kerr said.
"But, as you see today, there's a lot of quality teams in the Asian Cup."
Iran's involvement Iran opens Monday against South Korea. At a scheduled pregame news conference Sunday on the Gold Coast in Queensland state, Iran head coach Marziyeh Jafari declined to comment on the military strikes or death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "I don't think we should talk about these matters at all right now," Jafari said in comments translated to English. "There's a team here for a very important competition that matters to these women and I think those should be the questions." Iran captain Zahra Ghanbari said her squad was in Australia with the target of qualifying for next year's Women's World Cup in Brazil. "The mindset of all our players and our team is that, God willing, we can get out of our group," she said. "Our entire focus is on getting to the World Cup and achieving great success there." ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer |
| Copyright DTN. All rights reserved. Disclaimer. |
|
