‘It’s unheard of’: Aussie legend’s astonishing theory behind Kerr disaster

Aussie football legend John Aloisi has given an incredible explanation for why Sam Kerr shouldn’t have been on the field when disaster struck.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 16: Sam Kerr of Australia reacts after their headed shot attempt goes wide during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Semi Final match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia on August 16, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Sam Kerr scored a goal that will go down in Australian sporting folklore, but only wanted to talk about the one she didn’t score.

The Matildas captain was despondent after the final whistle was blown in Australia’s crushing semi-final defeat to England on Wednesday night.

Kerr produced a moment of sheer magic to level the scores 1-1 in the second half but it was well after her 63rd minute wonder goal that the real drama happened.

Socceroos legend John Aloisi has explained it all with a theory that suggests Kerr should not have even been on the park when her biggest disaster struck.

Kerr had two chances to score from headers as the game went deeper into the second half. They were understandable misses.

However, her 85th minute miss from her deadly right boot is almost impossible to comprehend for a player who has time and time again proven she is arguably the most dangerous player in women’s football.

Sam Kerr’s shot went wide. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images.

The goal was wide open for Sam Kerr. Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP.

With England holding onto a 2-1 lead at the time, a corner kick rebounded straight towards Kerr inside the six-yard box. With the moment there for the taking, Kerr’s awkward half volley went wide of the goals.

Her face said everything. She could not believe it. Nobody could.

Sky Sports commentator Charlotte Marsh said: “Two huge missed chances from Kerr now - which is practically unheard of”.

Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown Finnis said on the BBC: “Couldn’t have landed better for Sam Kerr. She can’t believe it”.

Speaking on the world feed broadcast on Optus Sport, Amy Chapman said: “It should have been two. There’s no denying that. It should have been two. She’s three metres out and Sam Kerr, it couldn’t have fallen to a better player.”

It slipped through Sam Kerr’s fingers. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Sam Kerr couldn’t believe it. Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images.

Kerr buried her head in her hands after the miss — and it ended up being the last real chance Australia had. England went up the other end two minutes later and it was all over when Alessia Russo scored England’s third goal.

Kerr’s surprising lack of class in the final third has now been explained in a painful theory from Aloisi when speaking on Channel 7 after the match.

Aloisi said Kerr looked tired and made the mistakes fatigued players do.

Kerr had played just 75 minutes throughout the entire tournament, but played out all 90 minutes of the England clash, despite continuing to manage a calf muscle issue that has drastically limited her time on the training paddock throughout Australia’s campaign.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson rolled the dice throughout the tournament by keeping Kerr on the bench, but it is possible his most costly gamble was leaving Kerr on the park for the full 90 minutes when her match fitness was still uncertain.

“I will put it down to fatigue with Sam,” Aloisi said.

“She came on last game and played longer than she expected to play. Her legs were probably gone a little bit. That is when you start snatching at things. The two chances she had she was snatching at them.”

He went on to say: “She did a lot of running and trying to stretch the opposition by running in behind and link up. Then her legs gave in at the end. That is why she wasn’t able to take those opportunities”.

Sam Kerr knew she’s missed a moment. Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP.

Sam Kerr was heartbroken. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images .

The other side of the coin is that Gustavsson would have been the most hated man in Australia if he hadn’t given Kerr a spot in the starting side - and with the Matildas needing something special he clearly found it too difficult to bench his captain.

Kerr was in no mood to talk about her goal-scoring heroics after the game.

When asked by Channel 7’s Adam Peacock about what moments she will “replay in her head”, she responded: “The one that I missed. The last little bit.

“I think I did everything that I can to be back in this tournament. If I trained more, five times in this World Cup, maybe I would have sunk that one.

“I can’t put all the blame on myself. I have to think of all the things the team have done and I have done to be where we are now and inspire a nation. It is really disappointing.

“It’s been tough. I can’t remember the last time I missed three games in a row. Just had to stick with the girls and they’ve done amazing and just had to focus what I could focus on and then be ready for tonight and the minutes I got over the last two games.

“It’s been an enjoyable ride to be on, I guess regardless of the calf, it’s been an amazing honour to be here.”

Gustavsson was full of praise for Kerr after the game.

“What she is going through in rehab and lack of training and to pull that out (her goal) it is classic Sam,” he said.

“Sam Kerr is a winner. In terms of individual qualities, that is Sam Kerr.”