Socceroos legend John Aloisi pinpoints why Sam Kerr missed two golden chances to score against England – as superstar striker’s on-field reaction is revealed
It’s hard to imagine what else will be remembered about this semi-final – Sam Kerr’s breathtaking goal, or the absolute sitters she missed as her Matildas chased their World Cup dream against England.
Kerr was stunned at missing chances from which she would normally score, but John Aloisi, Socceroo legend turned Channel Seven commentator, gave his take on what happened shortly after full-time.
“I’ll put it down to fatigue with Sam,” Aloisi said.
“She came into the last game and played longer than she expected. Her legs were probably a little off.
Sam Kerr was devastated after missing a front shot at close range that she would normally glide home in her sleep
England’s Mary Earp couldn’t stop the bomb Kerr launched from outside the box, but twice for goals Kerr missed
“Then you start grabbing things. She took the two chances she had.
“She did a lot of running and tried to stretch the opponent by running behind and connecting. Then her legs finally gave way.
“That’s why she couldn’t take advantage of those opportunities.”
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson was in a no-win situation with Kerr – had he not put her in the starting line-up, fans and pundits would have lashed out at him.
And after she scored that goal, he would have been grilled if he had taken her off the field to sign a player with fresher legs.
Sky Sports commentator Charlotte Marsh summed up the striker’s lackluster play when she said: “Now two huge missed opportunities from Kerr – which is practically unheard of.”
Charlotte Marsh watches in disbelief above with co-commentator Soccer legend John Aloisi after the game as both tried to work out how Sam missed that ‘sitter’ up front
Kerr was over the moon after the goal and picked up the Australian badge before gesturing superwoman towards the frenzied crowd.
But in the second half, the champion began to tire and missed opportunities followed.
As the Lionesses held onto a 2-1 lead, a corner kick bounced straight at Kerr in the penalty area.
Kerr’s scream from a shot from outside the box easily defeated England keeper Mary Earps
The striker proudly grabs the Aussie crest on her shirt after batting in the equalizing goal – but that ecstasy would soon turn to agony for the skipper
Kerr made a lonely and forlorn figure as she watched many of her friends on the lioness side celebrate their victory
The moment he begged to be caught, the Matildas captain somehow sent the half-volley over the crossbar.
Seven’s commentators read Kerr’s lips as she reacted to the miss saying ‘that’s my bread and butter’.
After the game, she was reeling from the loss.
“I think I did everything I could to be back in this tournament,” said the broken star.
“If I had trained this World Cup more than five times, I might have sunk that.”
Harley Raso, now as iconic a face in Australian sport as any other woman, was in tears after the final whistle
But, like the stylish star that she is, Kerr found something positive despite the defeat.
“I think of all the things the team has done and I have done to be where we are today and inspire the nation.
“We are all just really proud of each other and wish we had crossed the line.
“But whatever happens, I wouldn’t want to be on any other team. This is my team, my friends, my best friends, I love them all dearly.
“I think that’s the only thing that keeps me smiling right now, the way we’ve inspired the nation, everyone’s behind us,” she said.
That sentiment was echoed by many on social media, most prominently being the great Cathy Freeman, who wrote, “So incredibly proud of our girls! You gave your all and inspired an entire nation!
Australian coach Tony Gustavsson hugs the Matilda skipper after the match, taking in her grief
“Hold your head up and to the future!”
A poignant moment captured minutes into the game saw England star and captain Millie Bright – a friend of Kerr’s – hug her in sympathy.
Gustavsson said Kerr had been super stylish both on and off the field after the semi-final loss.
“It’s a bit emotional to sit here and talk about that when you lose a semi-final because I hate to lose, but football is longer than 90 minutes,” he said.
“We are very disappointed in the loss, but hopefully we have gained something. We have captured the hearts and the passion for this game in this country.”