In a captivating display on Thursday (AEST) in Nairobi, Sam Kerr netted her 75th international goal as the Matildas secured the FIFA Series trophy with a 2-0 victory over Kenya. Kerr, typically confident, appeared somewhat bashful after her soft shot in the first half slipped past Kenyan goalkeeper Lillian Awuor, eliciting a frustrated stomp from the keeper.
This win followed a dominant 5-0 victory against Malawi, showcasing the Matildas’ strength on the field. Clare Wheeler added a second goal in the second half, much to the delight of the 20,000 enthusiastic fans in attendance. However, despite being ranked 15th in the world, Australia faced a strong challenge from their lower-ranked opponents, who are positioned at 128th globally.
Leah Blayney, commenting during the match coverage, noted a marked improvement from the Matildas in the second half. She praised the tactical adjustments made by coach Joe Montemurro, despite acknowledging that Kenya still posed threats throughout the game. Ex-Matildas player Grace Gill echoed this sentiment, highlighting a solid 15-20 minutes of performance before suggesting that the quality dipped subsequently. She speculated that fatigue might have played a role, expressing a desire for a more controlled showing.
An offside call that disallowed a third goal from Caitlin Foord raised eyebrows, with Gill arguing that Foord was indeed onside. It remains uncertain why the goal was chalked off, adding a layer of controversy to an otherwise solid performance.
Overall, the Matildas demonstrated resilience and skill, but there’s a consensus that their performance could be refined further in preparation for future competitions.