Coach defends handing Australia captaincy back to Sam Kerr

SYDNEY – Coach Joe Montemurro has defended reinstating Sam Kerr as captain of the Australian women’s side, calling it a “football decision” and not a “political one”.

The 32-year-old Chelsea striker captained the Matildas in their 3-0 loss to England in Derby on Oct 28.

This was only her second start for the national team after being sidelined for nearly two years with a serious knee injury.

During her time away she was involved in a high-profile court case in London, accused of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer during a drunken night out.

She was found not guilty, but the judge said her “behaviour contributed significantly to the bringing of this allegation”.

It tarnished her image and sections of the Australian public were opposed to her becoming national captain again.

“We’ve made a decision internally for what we believe is the best for football performance and for the group,” Montemurro said after the match.

“I make football decisions. I’m not going to make any political decisions, they’re purely football, and Sam is an important part of what we’re trying to do.

“As far as we’re concerned, we just kept the status quo going forward and we’re happy with her continuing on as captain.”

Arsenal defender Steph Catley captained the side while Kerr was sidelined.

Ellie Carpenter, a teammate of Kerr’s at Chelsea, backed Montemurro’s decision.

“Sam’s always been our captain,” she said. “She’s changed football in Australia. For us, having her on the team is a massive boost for us.”

Kerr was unable to score at Pride Park, but she conjured a decent first-half chance that was denied by England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.

Australia were already trailing 1-0 to Aggie Beever-Jones’ opener at that point and in some disarray following a red card to Alanna Kennedy for bringing down Alessia Russo.

It got much worse for the Matildas, who ended up flattered by the final score and managed only three attempts at goal to the hosts’ 29 as Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway also found the net for the Lionesses.

Being a woman down hardly helped against the European champions, but the Matildas’ static attack and often shoddy defending – barring goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold’s efforts – showed Montemurro has plenty to fix before the Asian Cup kicks off on March 1.

With Kerr not attending the post-match press conference as captain, it fell to defender Carpenter to explain the defeat from the players’ perspective.

“Yeah, it’s one we probably want to forget,” she said. “We know we only have two games left (both against New Zealand in the next two months).

“I think it’s a learning and growing opportunity. It’s not long until the Asian Cup.”

England’s win was marred by what looked like a serious knee injury to 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, the breakout star of Euro 2025.

Said England manager Sarina Wiegman: “That was an awful moment. It doesn’t look good. We don’t know the extent of it yet, she needs to be assessed, but I’m not feeling very positive.”

Meanwhile, Germany reached the final of the Women’s Nations League after a 2-2 draw with France on Oct 28 in Caen, securing a 3-2 aggregate victory following their first-leg win in Dusseldorf.

Germany will face Spain in the final, with the first leg scheduled for Nov 28 at home, and the return leg on Dec 2.

World champions Spain eased past Sweden 5-0 on aggregate after a 1-0 victory in Gothenburg. AFP, REUTERS