AUSSIES STRIKE SUPER FORM
SAM Kerr scored a double as Matildas stars found form for their English clubs ahead of next month’s two-game series against Brazil in Sydney.
Kerr’s brace came in Chelsea’s 6-1 Women’s Super League away thrashing of Manchester United on Sunday night.
The Matildas captain wasn’t the only Australian to score twice, with former Brisbane Roar star Tameka Yallop also netting a double in her West Ham debut.
Yallop’s goals helped the Hammers thrash Leicester 4-0.
West Ham manager Olli Harder said Yallop’s debut was “fantastic”.
“Tameka did well today,” Harder said.
“She’s still doing the same things she has always been doing, making runs into the box, getting into dangerous positions, and for us that’s important.
“It’s nice to have her with us finally – a fantastic debut for her.”
Also finding the back of the net was another former Roar star Emily Gielnik, whose 48th-minute strike was enough to secure Aston Villa a 1-0 away win over Brighton. The win moved Villa to third on the ladder, a point ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea.
Yallop’s West Ham, whose side also included Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, are seventh.
Kerr, Yallop, Gielnik and Arnold are set to be part of the Matildas squad for matches against Brazil on October 23 and 26 at CommBank Stadium.
The two-game series will be the first time since March last year that the Matildas have played on home soil, with Football Australia’s quarantine management plan having been approved by the NSW government.
FA CEO James Johnson said: “We have made it our priority to bring our national teams home for international football.” FA is hopeful a similar quarantine management plan will allow the Socceroos to host Saudi Arabia in a World Cup qualifier on November 11 at CommBank Stadium.