Matildas vs Philippines live: Sam Kerr stars as Aussies stroll in Olympic qualifier

Tony Gustavsson’s star-studded line-up has put the Philippines to the sword in their crunch Olympic qualifier.

Sam Kerr and the Matildas are running absolute riot in Perth. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

Welcome to news.com.au’s live coverage of Australia’s crunch Olympic qualifier against the Philippines in Perth.

These two teams are atop Group A with one win apiece in Asian regional qualifying for next year’s Paris Olympic Games, so a victory for either here will be crucial.

The Matildas beat Iran 2-0 with a second string team on Thursday.

We’ll have all the action for you here across the evening.

Sam Kerr and the Matildas are running absolute riot in Perth. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

8.05pm AEDT - Aussies complete stunning rout

At the end of 90 incredibly one-sided minutes, the Matildas were victorious by a scoreline of 8-0.

Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord both recorded hattricks, with Mary Fowler opening the scoring and Clare Wheeler getting the last in the 72nd minute.

They will be back in action again on Wednesday night when they take on Taiwan.

The final crowd was a record 59,155 people, proving the Matildas’ stunning support at this year’s home World Cup is not slowing down.

Guys the Phillipines beat Chinese Taipei 4-1, what could the Tillie’s do this Wednesday when we play them 🤯 #PHIvAUS

— Kaitlyn Sara (@kaitlynsara_) October 29, 2023

7.25pm AEDT - Hattrick hero takes a bow

Sam Kerr was never likely to play the full match and to be fair, the superstar probably played more minutes than anyone could have hoped.

With a hattrick of goals, including one about 26 seconds into the second half, Kerr left to a standing ovation in the 64th minute and her side leading 7-0. Yep, 7-0.

6.55pm AEDT - Halftime mercifully arrives for the visitors

Well, how about that for a statement from these Matildas?

The Aussie side got on the front foot early and never let up in that opening half, scoring five unanswered goals among a load of other chances.

#PHIvAUS
This is embarrassing!
💚💛

— Bluebird 💚💛 (@giveoutmore) October 29, 2023

Hometown hero Sam Kerr and fellow forward Caitlin Foord both have doubles, with Mary Fowler the other scorer, having produced the opening goal in the 15th minute.

The Philippines led this group on goal difference ahead of Australia before the game. That is about to be turned on its head in horribly one-sided fashion.

Kerr and Fowler were on fire in the first half. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

6.25pm AEDT - Just the start the Tillies wanted

That’s what it takes to settle the nerves and make a huge home crowd happy, early goals.

It started with a Mary Fowler strike in off the right-hand post in the 15th minute, coming after a long spell of Australian dominance to start the match.

Sam Kerr then delighted her legions of home fans when the West Australian added a second with a neat finish in the 19th minute.

Suddenly looks like it could be a long night for the visitors.

Go Mary Fowler! What a rock star! 😍 #PHIvAUS

— KЇTT Carpathian 🇺🇦🌱 (@RareFlowerGrow) October 29, 2023

SAM KERR!!
IF THERE WAS A ROOF AT @OptusStadium IT'D BE BLOWN OFF NOW!!
The home-town hero has scored!!@TheMatildas lead 2-Nil in Perth.
Watch Live on @Channel10AU now!
📺:https://t.co/M14OJmnLHt#PHIvAUS#Matildaspic.twitter.com/HEBivC1w5h

— 10 Football (@10FootballAU) October 29, 2023

5.30pm AEDT - Sam Kerr starts for the Aussie side

There was plenty of speculation over the side that Gustavsson would pick for this match-up at Perth Stadium.

Well fans will be delighted, with 10 players coming into an incredibly strong starting 11, including skipper Sam Kerr.

YES! Go Matildas! So good.

— Mlh_au (@mlh_au) October 29, 2023

Phillipines players when they see the Matilda’s starting lineup #PHIvAUSpic.twitter.com/IZv58i7LNW

— Keelan (@I_am_da_BOM) October 29, 2023

Naturally, Gustavsson was asked about his star player before the game.

“I think all of us would love to play Sam Kerr in 90 minutes every game,” he said.

“Considering she’s coming back from injury very recently, she hasn’t played 90 minutes in a very long time. Not for club either, with that calf issue.

“We need to be extremely mindful. As I did in the World Cup, I’m going to go by recommendation with my (medical) team.”

Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Hayley Raso and Ellie Carpenter are all in the starting side.

The Philippines currently top the group on goal difference after their 4-1 victory over Taiwan last Thursday.

Sam Kerr is in the starting side for a very strong Australian line-up. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

5.15pm AEDT - What time is Matildas vs Philippines?

The match is scheduled to start at 6.10pm AEDT in what should be a big crowd at Perth Stadium.

This is the second round of Olympic qualifying, with Australia and five other strong nations - Japan, China, South Korea, and North Korea - given byes into this round.

There are 12 teams in total split into three groups.

The three group winners plus the best-placed runner-up will progress to the third and final round of qualifying for the Paris Olympics.

That qualifying round will be from February 24-28 next year, with two spots on offer for Asian sides.