Sam Kerr Sees Asian Cup Defeat as Learning Experience for World Cup

Kerr against Tottenham in Women FA Cup quarter-final

Australia captain Sam Kerr reflects on Asian Cup final loss to Japan, looks to World Cup next year. Sam says experience will benefit team in 2027 Women's World Cup.

Sam Kerr's resurgence fuels Australia's Asian Cup campaign as they qualify for 2027 Women's World Cup...

Australia's captain Sam Kerr described the Asian Cup as “a positive tournament” despite the bitter disappointment of losing to Japan in the final. The Matildas were defeated 1-0, with Maika Hamano scoring the winning goal. Kerr believes the experience will benefit the team in next year's Women's World Cup.

Kerr highlighted the positives, noting that Australia qualified for the World Cup and received great support from the nation. She emphasized the importance of facing different teams in preparation for the World Cup, saying, “It's important, just in the fact that you're going to face different teams in the World Cup.”

Australia's win over North Korea in the quarter-finals secured their spot at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Captain Sam Kerr highlighted the positives from their Asian Cup campaign, saying, “We qualified for the World Cup, which is a positive and Japan are a great team.”

🗣️ Hear from Sam after our first training session in Kenya.

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Kerr made these comments while in Kenya, where Australia is participating in the FIFA Series friendlies. The team's victory over North Korea was a significant milestone, and Kerr is looking forward to the World Cup.

“Still haven't fully reflected on it yet as ‌it was really disappointing, feel like a big opportunity missed. But I feel like with what we achieved, and how the nation got behind us, it felt like a positive tournament.

“It's important, just in the fact that you're going to face different teams in the World Cup,” ‌the Chelsea striker added.

“The World Cup is getting bigger each time, and you ‌face different teams from all different confederations, so it's important for us to be ready for all types of games.”

Australia's women's national football team, the Matildas, will face Malawi on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya, as part of the FIFA Series. Following this match, they'll take on either Kenya or India in their next game.