- Striker to return against Wales on October 26
- Last Matildas appearance was in November 2023
Sam Kerr’s Matildas teammates are determined not to put any pressure on the superstar striker to perform as they relish her return to the international stage.
But goalkeeper Teagan Micah admits Kerr’s return is a ‘confidence boost’ as the Matildas start to feel both excitement and a sense of urgency less than five months out from the Asian Cup.
Kerr is set to make her long-awaited Matildas return against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday, 12am AEDT before facing European champions England in Derby four days later.
The 32-year-old last played for Australia in November 2023, having endured a 20-month rehabilitation from an ACL tear suffered in January 2024.
‘Of course, it’s a confidence boost for our team. She’s a big figure within our team, and she has been for a long, long time,’ Micah said.
‘So we’re just really, really happy to have her back. We don’t want to put any pressure on her or anything.
Sam Kerr’s Matildas teammates are determined not to put any pressure on the superstar striker as she prepares to return this weekend against Wales after close to a two-year absence
Kerr last played for Australia in November 2023, having endured a 20-month rehabilitation from an ACL tear suffered in early 2024 when on a training camp with Chelsea
‘We understand she’s been out for a long time, and for us, we just really want her to get back to it, enjoying football, and I think the goals will come with that.’
Micah said the Matildas were trying to ‘soak up’ everything they could under coach Joe Montemurro, with just two international windows before the Asian Cup squad is selected.
‘It’s probably a bit more of an excitement,’ Micah said.
‘I think this is the first time in a long time where we’ve had a very strong, competitive group within the squad. So I think there’s a lot of excitement there.
‘I mean, yes, (there is) a sense of urgency. I know the Asian Cup is in (March), but for us, it does feel like some time away between then and now. We still have a lot of games to get through.’
After concussion briefly derailed her career, Micah has managed to re-establish herself as first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Mackenzie Arnold.
Micah is determined to keep that spot for the Asian Cup, after ambitiously switching from Liverpool to French powerhouse OL Lyonnes.
‘That’s obviously my main goal,’ she said.
Teagan Micah aims to be the Matildas’ first-choice goalkeeper – she also recently moved from Liverpool to French powerhouse OL Lyonnes
‘I wouldn’t make any move that I didn’t think would benefit my career.’
At OL Lyonnes, Micah is the deputy for Chilean star Christiane Endler, one of the world’s best goalkeepers.
She has already impressed in a Champions League game and is relishing training against ‘world-class’ strikers.
‘It’s probably, for club land, the highest possible environment that I could put myself in,’ Micah said.
‘I’m really enjoying it, the training, coaching, everything that I’m getting there, the players.
‘Of course, Christiane is a world-class keeper. I knew that going into it and what my role would be.
‘So far, I’m really enjoying learning off her and she’s just a class person as well.
‘Training every day and being around players like that every single day, being pushed to my limit helps and hopefully I’m able to bring that onto the national team.’
