Aussies on edge to see captain Kerr waltzing

Aussies on edge to see captain Kerr waltzing

Matildas captain Sam Kerr’s calf muscle has been the subject of intense scrutiny over the last weeks of the Women’s World Cup in her native Australia.

All of her compatriots are on edge over whether the inspirational forward would play in the tournament that they are co-hosting.

Australia did manage to get through the group phase without Kerr and she has since made two substitute appearances in the last two knockout games to help them into this week’s semi-final, where they take on England.

Her recovery has delighted the home crowd and gives the Matildas hope they can continue with their historic run, having become the first Aussie side to make it to a World Cup semi-final.

Kerr plays in England at Chelsea and is regarded as one of the superstars of the women’s game.

Astonishingly, just three years after taking up soccer, a 15-year-old Kerr made her senior Australia debut against Italy.

Kerr is one of only three players to have scored more than three goals in a Women’s World Cup game, having been on target four times against Jamaica four years ago and in her first full season in the English Women’s Super League, smashed the record for headed goals in a season, netting nine in 22 appearances.