- Sam Kerr scored as Australia defeated Iran on Thursday
- The Matildas returned home for the first time since the World Cup
- Kerr came off the bench to score for her country
Super sub Sam Kerr has come off the bench to score the decisive goal in front of her hometown fans in the Matildas’ rusty 2-0 Olympic qualifier victory against Iran in Perth.
In front of 18,798 fans at HBF Park on Thursday evening, Ellie Carpenter opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Kerr sealed the deal with her tap-in in the 78th minute.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson warned on the eve of the match against throwing his jet-lagged stars into the deep end, and a glance at the bench proved those words to be true.
Kerr, Mackenzie Arnold, Katrina Gorry, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Stephanie Catley, Hayley Raso, Alanna Kennedy and Mary Fowler all started on the pine.
With the score still only 1–0 after 65 minutes in a match that Australia was predicted to win easily, Gustavsson brought on Kerr, Catley and Fowler in a three-way substitution.
Sam Kerr was on the scoresheet as the Matildas returned to victory on Thursday
Kerr came off the bench to score Australia’s second goal in a 2–0 win over Iran
The move worked charmingly, with the trio joining forces to create Australia’s second goal.
Catley combined with Fowler for a one-two before firing a low pass across goal, allowing Kerr to complete an easy tap-in.
Foord, Raso, Arnold and Gorry were among the unused substitutes.
The Matildas had 82 percent possession in the first half, and a neat run down the right from Cortnee Vine helped set up the opener.
Vine’s cross found its way to Charlotte Grant, who passed the ball to Carpenter and fired the ball home for just her fourth goal in 70 games for Australia.
Carpenter almost had a second in the 31st minute when she was played in and had only the goalkeeper to beat, but her shot from an angle went well wide of the target.
Iran’s players did their best to waste time when the opportunity arose.
Theatrical roles on the floor were a common theme in the first half, much to Matildas’ frustration.
Adding to Australia’s frustrations was their own inability to finish their chances.
Kerr received an enthusiastic reception when she came on in the 65th minute.
Chelsea’s star fired a goal over the crossbar in the 72nd minute, but six minutes later she made no mistake with her tap-in.
Kerr had a golden opportunity to score again in the 93rd minute, but she couldn’t keep her strike low enough.
Tony Gustavsson has rotated his jet lag team for the international competition
In the earlier match, the Philippines came from behind to record a 4-1 victory over Taiwan, rocketing them to the top of the group.
Yi-yun Hsu opened the scoring for Taiwan in the 47th minute as the underdogs dreamed of a setback.
But a double for Sarina Bolden and goals for Katrina Guillou and Chandler McDaniel made it an easy win for the Philippines in the end.
The Matildas will take on the Philippines at a sold-out Optus Stadium on Sunday before returning to HBF Park to face Taiwan next Wednesday.
Australia must finish top of the group to guarantee passage to the final round of Olympic qualifying in February.