Matildas and Perth Glory striker Sam Kerr makes world XI

Sam Kerr has capped her annus mirabilis with her inclusion in a world XI.

Sam Kerr goes in to her trademark backflip celebration after scoring a hat-trick for Perth Glory against Newcastle Jets on Saturday. Picture: AAP

Sam Kerr’s annus mirabilis is complete after she was named in a world XI following a stunning 12 months at club and international level.

In yet more recognition of her remarkable feats at international and club level over the past 12 months, Matildas striker Kerr was included in the prestigious International Federation of Football History (IFFHS) line-up that includes the likes of FIFA women’s player of the year contenders Carli Lloyd (US) and Dutchwoman Lieke Martens.

The IFFHS award is voted on by coaches, media and administrators from more than 90 countries. For Kerr, it is just another feather in her cap after already claiming a number of awards including the Australian Sports Woman of the Year, the ABC Sports Personality of the Year, the MVP of the USA National League, the Julie Dolan Medal for Australia’s W-League and Asian Women’s Footballer of the Year.

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Matildas coach Alen Stajcic was delighted Kerr continues to gain recognition not just for her achievements but also for the Matildas, who recently climbed to fourth on the world rankings.

“Everything she has gained in awards is fully deserved,” Stajcic, who was recently named the ABC coach of the year, told The Australian.

“Look at the other night, things were not going well for her or the team but she bobs up and scores a hat-trick in 10 minutes. It just shows how consistent she is.”

The Matildas are regarded as the best sporting team in Australia — male or female — and have been riding on a wave of success and goodwill. Stajcic would not be drawn into suggestions that the Matildas may have been a little unlucky not to have another couple of players in the world XI, but admitted it was hard because they have not played in a major tournament this year.

“Like a lot of these things, the awards can be a bit Eurocentric sometimes,” he said.

“They had the European championships this year so that would have been heavily in the minds. Of course all these things (recognition) are great from our team perspective and we appreciate getting all these team and individual awards but we are all focused on the big picture.

“We want to win the Asian Cup and be competitive in the World Cup.”

Kerr has been a prolific scorer for the Matildas and Perth Glory and was the first Australian woman to be named as a contender for the FIFA Player of the Year, but controversially failed to make the final three.

She scored 17 goals during her American season with the Sky Blues FC as well as being the first player to score four goals in a game in the win over Seattle Reign last August.

The 24-year-old also bagged four goals for Australia when the Matildas won the Tournament of Champions earlier this year.