Matildas v New Zealand: Matildas star Aivi Luik shaves her head for cancer research

Matildas midfielder Aivi Luik raised over $35,000 after shaving her head to raise cash for brain tumour research following her brother’s devastating diagnosis.

Matildas midfielder Aivi Luik raised over $30,000 after shaving her head on Tuesday night to raise cash for brain tumour research following her brother’s devastating diagnosis.

Before a ball had even been kicked, Luik hit $30,000 fundraising goal for the Mark Hughes foundation, a target she was hoping to reach by the end of the friendly series with New Zealand.

The family were devastated to learn that Luik’s youngest sibling Noah Kerwick, 27, had been diagnosed with Oligodendrogliomam, a brain tumour.

“As you can imagine, this news has been very difficult for him and our family,” Luik said. “While they were able to remove 90 per cent of it in surgery, there was a small part that remains.

“It’s so heart-warming to feel all that love and support.

“Hair is always going to grow back, so why not.” “He got the diagnosis while I was overseas, I still haven’t seen him yet.

“Honestly, every single person that donated is such a big hero.”

Aivi Luik of the Matildas has her head shaved by Rebekah Stott of New Zealand

Aivi Luik of the Matildas has her head shaved by Rebekah Stott

KERR STARS IN MATILDAS WIN

BY Marco Monteverde

Sam Kerr scored twice as the Matildas cruised to a 3-1 win over New Zealand in Canberra on Tuesday night.

Captain Kerr’s brace lifted her Matildas’ goal tally to 59 and propelled her team to a series clean sweep of the Football Ferns after a 2-1 victory in Townsville last week.

However, the Australians will need much tougher tests between now and next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup if they are to have a genuine chance of winning the tournament on home soil.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson suggested as much on Monday before stressing the need for his team to set and maintain its own standards against an ordinary New Zealand outfit.

Gustavsson would have been searching for a much more convincing win in the second game of the series and it seemed to be coming when the Matildas led 3-0 after 32 minutes.

Sam Kerr scored a double for the Matildas in their 3-1 win against New Zealand in Canberra. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

However, the expected goal rush didn’t eventuate, and to make matters worse, the visitors were able to expose Australia’s sometimes suspect defence with a goal of their own in the dying stages of the first half.

It gave the New Zealanders, who were well and truly second best in the opening half, some confidence and it showed with an improved second-half display.

In contrast, the Matildas weren’t as dynamic after half-time with the game coming to an uneventful and scrappy end.

The Matildas were again far too wasteful in front of goal, but unlike in Townsville, where they took until stoppage time to convert their dominance, they were a lot quicker off the mark in the second game of the series.

“We need to be humble and always learn from every single moment of the game,” said Gustavsson, who lamented the Matildas’ lack of concentration in allowing New Zealand to score just before half-time.

Kerr opened the scoring in the 15th minute, heading home a corner from Steph Catley.

It took just two more minutes for the Matildas to double their lead, with Hayley Raso’s low shot from the edge of the penalty area sneaking inside the far post.

Hayley Raso was also on the scoresheet for the Matildas. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Chelsea star Kerr then produced a sublime finish with the outside of her right foot to score her second and Australia’s third of the contest in the 32nd minute.

However, totally against the run of play, New Zealand pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage time.

Olivia Chance was the provider with a superb pass that caught Australia’s defence square.

Making the most of Chance’s creativity was Hannah Wilkinson, who after being denied with her first shot by Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams, pounced on the rebound to end Australia’s hopes of a clean sheet.

New Zealand attacker Paige Satchell was forced off the field in the first half, with coach Jitka Klimkova later saying it related to “challenges” Satchell has with her heart.

Originally published as Matildas v New Zealand: Matildas star Aivi Luik shaves her head for cancer research