Cup of Nations triumph raises Sam Kerr’s hopes for World Cup crown
Matildas superstar Sam Kerr is not shying away from the fact that the national women’s team can lift the 2019 World Cup trophy in France: “One hundred per cent. It’s definitely realistic.”
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Sam Kerr revealed that Wednesday’s jovial post-game Cup on Nations trophy celebration was an icebreaker after the Matildas’ nervous performance on the dais last time.
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The Matildas captain declared that they could win the Women’s World Cup, which kicks off in France in June.
The 3-0 win over Argentina sealed a clean sweep of World Cup aspirants (including South Korea and New Zealand) before the Matildas take on Italy, Jamaica and Brazil.
Kerr’s leadership and star status was evident at AAMI Park, with four Argentina players posing for photos with her and asking to swap shirts.
“One hundred per cent. It’s definitely realistic (holding the World Cup aloft),’’ Kerr said.
“Lifting that trophy (on Wednesday), we say we can’t wait, it drives us more. The Tournament of Nations (in the US in 2017) we were really awkward about it (lifting the trophy), so we got into it and enjoyed it.
“You don’t get to lift silverware very often.
“We’re sixth in the world and anyone can win it once you get to the quarters and semis.
“We’re just focusing on the group. It can be really tough to get out of the group and we saw crazy things happen last year with the men’s World Cup when Germany was knocked out of the group stages.
“That was me once (asking opponents for photos). Maybe they’ll be stars of the future.”
Kerr will spend several days in Perth then Paris before joining US team Chicago Fire, where she’ll play until the World Cup.
“It’s a really tough league over there, so I’m just focused on staying fit and healthy and keeping the mind right,’’ she said.
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