Advertisement

'She's got a weakness': Sam Kerr's penalty demons continue in Matilda's win

Sam Kerr was electric all night but was unable to convert another penalty for the Matildas in their dominant 1-0 win over Chile in Adelaide on Tuesday night.

Matildas attacker Emily Gielnik provided the hit after captain Kerr made some rare misses in the 1-0 win.

‘RUINING FOOTBAL’: VAR drama wreaks havoc in Liverpool victory

Kerr blew a penalty, had shots saved and hit a cross-bar - but set-up teammate Gielnik's goal as the Matildas set another crowd record.

The penalty miss compounds being knocked out of the Women’s World Cup against Norway where Kerr also missed from the spot.

Sam Kerr reacts with the crowd after victory during the International friendly match between the Australian Matildas and Chile. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
Sam Kerr reacts with the crowd after victory during the International friendly match between the Australian Matildas and Chile. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

While she remains one of the best players in the world many fans questioned if someone else should step up.

The 10,342-strong attendance at Coopers Stadium is the largest to watch a women's soccer international in Adelaide.

The previous Adelaide benchmark was 5.168 for a 2006 fixture against China - the last time the Matildas played in the South Australian capital.

Most came to witness the near-peerless Kerr, who was dynamic despite her misses as Australia swept the two-game series against the Chileans.

Four changes in dominant Matildas display

Australia's coach Ante Milicic made four changes to his starting line-up from last Saturday's 2-1 win in Sydney before a crowd of 20,029 - an Australian record for a women's international.

The tinkering had scant impact on the fluency of the Matildas, who produced a first half domination punctuated by Gielnik's 23rd minute strike.

Played into space by a shrewd Kerr pass, Gielnik's first-time shot somehow eluded Chilean 'keeper Natalia Campos at the near post.

Australians Ellie Carpenter and Tameka Yallop failed to convert further chances until Kerr took centre stage on the cusp of halftime.

Chile's midfielder Rosario Balmaceda (L) and Australia's defender Stephanie Catley (R) fight for the ball.
Chile's midfielder Rosario Balmaceda (L) and Australia's defender Stephanie Catley (R) vie for the ball. (Photo by BRENTON EDWARDS/AFP via Getty Images)

After a trademark dash forward, Kerr had a shot saved and the ball rebounded to near the edge of the area where Campos, scrapping for possession, brought the Australian down to give away a penalty.

But Kerr's shot from the spot, low to the left, was well-covered by Campos, leaving the hosts 1-0 up at the break despite basking in two-thirds of possession.

Australia continued their command of the world No.37 Chileans in a second half notable for another Kerr close-call - in the 48th minute her curling right-footer smacked into the cross-bar.

But despite their general dominance, the world No.8 Australians almost paid a hefty price for their goal-shooting waste.

From a dead-ball in the 58th minute, Chile's Daniela Zamora had only 'keeper Lydia Williams to beat but her strike was body-blocked by the Matildas custodian.

And 77 minutes in, Williams had another nervy moment when Chilean Carla Guerrero's speculative 25m shot deflected from Kerr and looped toward goal, hitting the top of the cross-bar.

With AAP