The Commonwealth Bank Matildas AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign got off to the perfect start with a record-breaking 18-0 victory in their first group stage match against Indonesia in Mumbai.
Australian captain and recent FIFA Best Player finalist Sam Kerr went into tonight’s match knowing just a single goal would put her level with Socceroos legend Tim Cahill, as the nation’s greatest ever goalscorer. The 28-year-old not satisfied with sharing the mantle, took the goalscoring record outright, and comfortably, scoring five against Indonesia to improve her international goal tally to 54.
Indonesia knew the quality of the Chelsea forward, yet were unable to contain her darting runs on the edge of the box, with Kerr opening the scoring for Australia after nine minutes.
The record-breaking moment came just two minutes later, as a pinpoint ball through the middle of the Indonesian defence by Emily Van Egmond, found the captain in space, who fired expertly past the 17-year-old goalkeeper.
The records continued to fall as a 26th minute penalty secured the hat-trick for Sam Kerr. Not content with three, Kerr piled on the misery either side of half-time, with goals in the 36th and 45th minute respectfully.
