Australian Star Shines In Victory Over Jamaica

T. James

Australian star, Sam Kerr, produced a scintillating performance, scoring four goals in her side’s dominant victory over Jamaica in either team’s final group game of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. With the performance, Kerr increased her goals tally through three games to five, which places her as the tournament’s leading goalscorer so far.

Australia needed a just one point to advance to the Round of 16. However, they earned the maximum three points available in a solid performance against the Reggae Girlz of Jamaica.

Kerr’s four goals in the game were split evenly between the halves, with Jamaica’s consolation goal – their first ever World Cup goal – coming after Kerr’s second goal.

Kerr headed Australia into the lead in the 11th minute from a long cross by Lisa De Vanna from the left flank. And close to the end of the second half, Kerr netted her second, another header, this time from close range off a cross from the right.

Jamaica grabbed their only goal of the tournament shortly after the start of the second half. Khadija Shaw drove through Australia’s midfield before releasing Havana Solaun, a half-time substitute, with a perfect through pass. Solaun beat the rushing Australian goalkeeper, Lydia Williams, and slotted in past two scrambling Australian players racing to defend their empty goal. The Jamaican women were ecstatic to have grabbed their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup goal and they celebrated accordingly.

Pressure from the Australian women soon resumed, however, and they were rewarded with their third goal of the game in the 69th minute when Kerr completed her hat-trick after the ball fell nicely for her close to goal. Kerr’s third goal of the game also marked Australia’s first ever hat-trick at a FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Kerr was gifted her fourth goal of the game in the 83rd minute when Jamaican goalkeeper, Nicole McClure, failed to manage a back-pass from her captain, Konya Plummer. The alert Kerr pounced on the loose ball to put a gloss on the scoreline for Australia.

With the victory, Australia secured a second place finish in Group C, tied on points with Italy and Brazil, whose concurrently played game ended in a 1 – 0 victory for Brazil. Italy, nonetheless, topped the group due to their superior goals difference.

Australia next plays Norway – the second place finishers from Group A – in their Round of 16 match-up.