There was no signature backflip, and only the briefest acknowledgment of the adoring Perth crowd. Sam Kerr has scored 70 international goals, but her first in 851 days meant more than most.
Nodding home early in the Asian Cup opener against the Philippines on Sunday, Kerr ran off and clenched her left fist, and looked to the blue sky above her home town. Only she knows what was going through her mind. But we got a hint. As the fluorescent yellow swarm engulfed her, Kerr turned and greeted each teammate with a wide grin, high fives and hugs. Unsaid between each exchange was that Australia’s captain – the Matildas’ talisman – was back.
