Sam Kerr causes a stir as Matildas play ‘perfect game’

Sam Kerr photos have shown new Matildas coach Joe Montemurro is going to have a big problem with the Chelsea star.

Sam Kerr would have liked what she saw just as much as new Matildas coach Joe Montemurro as the Tillies played a “perfect game” in a 3-0 win over Slovenia in Perth on Thursday.

Montemurro took charge of the Matildas for the first time since being announced as coach on June 2.

He had only three training sessions with the squad before Thursday night’s friendly.

Key players including Kerr and Mary Fowler are missing due to ACL injuries. Clare Wheeler, Cortnee Vine, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Katrina Gorry are all ­absent on personal leave.

Kerr caused quite a stir on the sideline at HBF Park on Thursday night as she made a rare on-field appearance with her Aussie teammates.

Sam Kerr takes a selfie with a fan. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images.

Sam Kerr takes a selfie. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images.

Montemurro said earlier this week injured Kerr has brought “fantastic” energy to this week’s training camp, with the new boss spending as much time in recent days “meeting players” in his squad.

Kerr’s return after more than 18 months on the sidelines with a knee injury will be one of Montemurro’s biggest challenges heading into the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which is being held on home soil, beginning March 1, 2026.

Judging by the sight of fans flocking to see Kerr in Perth on Thursday, he will be under plenty of pressure to get the Chelsea forward back into the starting side when she is available for selection.

Kerr was given permission by her English club to continue her rehabilitation in Australia.

There remains no set return playing date for Kerr, who Montemurro said was a welcome addition to the group, assembled in her home state, as she continued to build her “physical capacity”.

“It’s fundamentally a situation where she’s now building her physical capacity, and we’ll monitor that through,” Montemurro said on Wednesday.

“The important thing is, we’re working with Chelsea to make sure she’s right for pre-season and she gets some games under her belt.

“It is an individual sort of process, but it’s great to have her around the group, and her energy is fantastic.”

Vice-captain Ellie Carpenter, returning to national duties after personal leave, during which time she got married, said having Kerr around, even keeping a low profile, was a boost given she had been absent from the field for so long.

“She’s a massive player, also a massive character for the team,” Carpenter said.

“She’s been absent from the team for a while, so it’s nice to have her training individually, and hopefully, soon she can be back with us.”

Thursday night’s win suggested the Matildas will be fine without her.

Holly McNamara of the Matildas celebrates a goal. Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images.

Joe Montemurro. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Montemurro said the win over Slovenia was exactly what the team needed.

“We have to put ourselves in positions, especially against the team that played player on player, to be comfortable receiving the ball under pressure,” he said.

“And we made, I think, three or four big errors in that.

“But I’m not concerned, because it’s the process going forward.

“For me, it was the perfect game. It was the perfect game; a team that’s pressured all over the pitch, and we have to be comfortable under that pressure.

“We have to learn to be that. So, for me it was an important exercise tonight.”

The Matildas had the first goal scored after just three minutes. None of the Slovenian players had registered a pass at that time.

Australia then had to wait 83 minutes for the next goal though, which was quickly followed by a third.

Substitute Raso was among the action for the last two goals, passing one to Holly McNamara for her first international goal. She kicked the last one herself.

The two sides meet again in the second and final friendly at Perth’s HBF Park on Sunday.

— with NewsWire