Olympic qualifiers: Matildas’ overcome frustration, changes to post 2-0 win over Iran highlighted by Sam Kerr goal

Fans in the west have not seen the Tillies live in five years and Sam Kerr ensured it was a memorable return, writes ELIZA REILLY.

An upside down teamsheet. A fleeting Sam Kerr appearance and goal. A 2-0 win.

Job done. Onto the next.

Ellie Carpenter opened proceedings in the 18th minute, Kerr followed in the second half and, by the final whistle, the Matildas were one goal adrift of the Philippines who downed Chinese Taipei 4-1 earlier on Thursday.

It wasn’t as thrilling or as cutthroat as the Matildas’ last few appearances in Australia but, for fans in the west who have not seen the Tillies’ live in five years, it was still worth the wait.

Perth was promised a dance with their World Cup heroes, but they had to be patient.

It wasn’t a thrilling contest, but the Matildas got the job done in their first Olympic qualifier. Picture: Getty Images

Kyra Cooney-Cross, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Alanna Kennedy, Hayley Raso, Mackenzie Arnold, Katrina Gorry and Kerr all started from the bench. Carpenter was the only World Cup regular to start on the pitch and her experience stood out early, her darting runs poking holes in Iran’s defence. She was eventually named player of the match.

The Perth crowd signalled their allegiance with the cheer for Kerr’s brief first-half warm-up run eclipsing the reaction to Carpenter’s opening goal in the 18th minute.

The opener! 🤩

🎥: @10FootballAU#Matildas#AUSvIRN#[e-mail]/XAVI4im8e2

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) October 26, 2023

Much like the game generally, Carpenter’s goal was scrappy but hit the spot. Three early attempts hadn’t quite hit the mark, then Charlotte Grant controlled a cross from Cortnee Vine before combining with fellow defender Carpenter.

It opened the Matildas’ account but not the floodgates.

Ellie Carpenter opened the scoring for the Matildas, but the floodgates stayed shut. Picture: Getty Images

Iran frustrated the Matildas in the first 45 minutes. The Lionesses did just enough to limit the Tillies’ space and interrupt sporadic attacks. And Negin Zandi was lively for Iran, finding space out the back of the Matildas’ defence but lacked the support from her teammates to make use of it.

But Iran felt the hits that little bit harder, succumbing to the Tillies’ physicality (albeit at times it felt more forced than nonfiction with Iran’s trainers shouldering perhaps the heaviest load of anyone).

Gustavsson made one change at halftime, swapping Kennedy in for Clare Polkinghorne. But when the move failed to produce the desired result, it was time to inject the big guns.

Catley and Fowler got the crowd going but the biggest cheer, once more, was reserved for Kerr. Her first two touches were productive but a touch rusty, almost forging an assist and just clearing the woodwork with her first shot on goal.

Then it happened.

The three substitutes. Fowler to Catley to Kerr. Goal.

Scoring in front of your hometown crowd >>>

🎥: @10FootballAU#Matildas#[e-mail]/slc5iiZu9D

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) October 26, 2023

Kerr found space at the far post and made no mistake, exactly as the scriptwriters intended.

Kerr had two more chances but couldn’t convert either, and she wasn’t alone. The Matildas couldn’t convert their run into goals. Something for Gustavsson to work on.

Amy Sayer just missed the cut for the Matildas’ World Cup squad, sparking a fire within. And she had some nice moments up front without breaking through. Emily van Egmond was serviceable as captain. And Tegan Micah kept a clean sheet.

But the bigger stage and sterner test is yet to come on Sunday at Optus Stadium.

This was just the beginning.

Originally published as Olympic qualifiers: Matildas’ overcome frustration, changes to post 2-0 win over Iran highlighted by Sam Kerr goal