Sam Kerr became Australia’s highest scorer in men’s or women’s senior international football, surpassing Tim Cahill on her way to a five-goal feast in a Matildas Asian Cup victory that raised plenty of eyebrows.
Kerr ended with five of Australia’s 18 goals in a staggering rout of Indonesia that left Network 10’s pundits baffled as to Australia’s approach.
The Chelsea striker took just 12 minutes to surpass Cahill’s record of 50 goals and ended the game with 54.
At a time when Australia has struggled to bring through younger players, this was clearly a chance to give some of them extended time on the pitch. And while Holly McNamara came on for a second half debut, perhaps the most puzzling decision was to give game time to 36-year-old Aivi Luik. Luik scored the 17th goal and it was a peach, back heeling in a cross from the left.
“I have to say I’m really disappointed tonight,” said former Matildas player Georgina Yeoman-Dale on the Network 10 coverage.
“Fantastic , we’re scoring a lot of goals but with what team?
“These girls have so many caps under their belts, they have so much experience, they’re playing top level football and we’ve come out with our strongest team when we had an opportunity to play young players.
“I don’t understand why he’d want to come out and have Sam Kerr score five goals again Indonesia.”
The criticism divided Matildas’ fans.
This was the third-biggest win in Matildas’ history.
As well as Kerr’s exploits, Emily van Egmond grabbed four in the rout while fullback Ellie Carpenter, winger Hayley Raso and second-half substitute Kyah Simon all bagged doubles.
Indonesia, the world No.94 team making their first Asian Cup finals appearance in 33 years, were on the back foot from the outset and it took just nine minutes for Kerr to open her account.
Just two minutes later the 28-year-old made it a double at the back post to surpass Cahill’s record.
Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord got in on the act in the 14th minute, smashing home before young gun Mary Fowler made it four in the 17th minute.
Hayley Raso headed home in the 24th minute after Indonesia goalkeeper Fani misjudged her attempt to cut out a cross before Kerr completed her hat-trick from the penalty spot.
Carpenter thrashed home her second international goal with a thumping finish in the 34th minute before van Egmond wrapped up the first-half with their ninth goal, stroking home the second penalty awarded to Tony Gustavsson’s team.
Having scored just once in her previous 54 internationals, Carpenter got her second of the game and Australia’s 10th when her cross-cum-shot drifted over substitute goalkeeper Nurhalimah and into the net.
Van Egmond notched a quickfire double to complete her own hat-trick before Kerr smashed Australia’s third penalty of the match onto the crossbar.
The Matildas continue their campaign on Monday against the Philippines, coached by ex-Australian mentor Alen Stajcic, while Indonesia take on Thailand in their next match.
(With AAP)
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Hudddo
Roar Rookie
How'd it go for us Bob?
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
Case closed.
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
Ooof, that's awkward.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
So we are not aloud to win now by blow out margins or smashing teams because it hurts the WOKE community.
Nathan Cirson
Roar Pro
What’s wrong with a balance of the two arguments? The starting line up had enough youth and inexperience anyway. At halftime when you’re 9-0 up give a debut and bring a player you’re likely to need later in the tournament 45 mins in her legs. Do the same at 60 mins. Then if no injuries give another player some time. As much as they’re there to win the Asian Cup there’s got to be some thought into that 2023 World Cup squad too.
Simoc
Guest
The commenter was making a headline but respect is everything. France could play their third, fourth , fifth team against our men and still win; that is depth. The Indonesians get to experience what they need to achieve in future and you have to start somewhere. We saw the difference between professionals and amateurs.
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
Except one is a team sport...
chris
Guest
How is it completely different? Major tournament. Best players in the world. Total blow out in the score. Same same.
chris
Guest
Well nothing gets under my skin more than listening to pundits delivering their opinions like a sermon. Whether its Bozza, Slater or Yeoman-Dale. Have some respect for what the coach is doing and have some respect for the difficult job they are doing. She came flat out with the "well I'm absolutely disappointed....". Well too bad!
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The new standard in Australians womens football has been set by Sydney FC. 1 goal conceeded only this season, defeat of City 3-0. Maybe Ante Juric should be Matildas coach. One thing I have noticed Taylor Ray moves like Makelele, she is very light on her feet , moves effortlessly, she takes the ball off the attackers feet without touching them, positionally excellent, capable passer.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
I've seen some photos from after the game. The Indo girls were all smiles when hanging around Kerr.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The major factor that has changed my mind about the selections is that Phillipines have changed almost their whole squad to Americans. That makes Indonesia the weakest team in the group by a big margin, The other two teams will beat Indonesia by a couple of goals. That means the ideal solution would have been the young team first up followed by A team against Phillipines. Australia drew with Thailand in 2018. Its not a matter of hindsight, this could have been all determined well before hand if one knew about the Phillipines recruitment of so many Americans.
Tezza
Guest
I think I would be more worried about the chances we squandered and giving the opposition a couple of sniffs at our goal then whether the subs played or not. It’s a major tournament for our women and the ultimate goal is to win the title, yes we scored 19 goals but we certainly missed a lot. When the time comes to play the big name opposition teams chances won’t come by so easily so we have to be clinical in front of goal every time.
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
This issue is tournament fatigue.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Probably depends on whether there is any surprise factor. Most sports have one sided games in early rounds - the fun is usually in finding where an upset might be - I imagine There will be a few around looking to the Phillipines for an upset soon.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
I dont know if they had the guts to make the call before the game, but surely the result was never in doubt. I think a team of reserves would beat Indonesia by at least 3 goals. I guess we will never know? I wonder if the "expert" commentators ever get worried about devaluing the jersey? National representation should not be handed out, we should have our best team on the field every game.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
That was my thought when they were highlighting the importance of the goal difference. It should not effect us anyway.
Bongo
Guest
Chloe Lagarzo WOW! What an extremely intelligent and sensible football commentator! Her and Georgie Yeoman- Dale are intelligent impartial and very insightful- I am in LOVE with them both! Matildas ! U were great!But get it into perspective- Indonesia have not been in the top flight for over 33 years! BE RUTHLESS! YES!! But also be grateful-humble and respectful! GREAT to see Sam Kerr taking selfies with Indon keeper and players after match.Well done Sam! Ellie Carpenter-Allie Fowler and Chloe Lagarzo are my future Matildas Captains!! One last thing- Please please be mindful of offsides-20 in a game is way too much LOVE BONGO! GO GO GO MATILDAS!!!
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I thought the ref was the big problem allowed the too many fouls by the Matildas, while the ref missed one penalty the extra 10 fouls they could have called against the Matildas would have given them respite. Ellie carpenter and Raso , they really savaged them on the right hand side. I think Australia were too soft at the Olympics , they let the dirty Swedes get them at the Olympics this would have been what was needed to counter the Swedes, why they did it to Indonesia with a massive lead makes no sense. Raso back to her physical best and Ellie Carpenter upfield where she can hand it out without worrying about giving free kicks and penalties.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Love the Matildas but this was no game, non-event because of the complete mismatch. Sure, 3 points but with such a gulf in class I found it very difficult to watch. I doubt it would have mattered which team we fielded. I have to say the highlight for me was the refereeing. Such a high standard in a women's match we just don't see in Australia.