Kerr continues to ignite team

MATILDAS captain Sam Kerr’s ability to thrive under immense expectation is being lauded by her national team coach.

Kerr is on the cusp of announcing a move to Europe, with Chelsea and six-time Champions League winners Lyon the frontrunners to snare her services.

Australia coach Ante Milicic says Kerr’s capacity to perform for the Matildas amid the transfer scrutiny is praiseworthy.

“She’s an ultimate professional,” Milicic said yesterday. “It has been a big week for Sam, not only as an individual and the captain of her country, but also the whole team.

“There has been a lot of expectations around the team ... and the team understand that we need to deliver on the field.”

Kerr scored a brace in the Matildas’ 2-1 defeat of Chile in Sydney on Saturday before a record crowd for a women’s football international in Australia of 20,029.

Kerr will take centre stage in Adelaide today when Australia hosts Chile in a second friendly — the first time the Matildas have played in the South Australian capital in 13 years.

“I’m sure Sam and the rest of the girls are looking to finish Tuesday night’s game in the best possible way,” Milicic said.

“It’s the first time as Matildas that these girls are playing in Adelaide and that really becomes an expectation ... they need to put on a performance where the people remember this.

“And that is our responsibility every time we travel around this great country of ours.”