Kerr’s strike helps secure Matildas’ 3-0 win over China
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Sam Kerr's out-of-this-world strike has headlined a record-breaking Matildas rout of China.
The red-hot forward scored a double either side of Tameka Butt's deflected strike in a 3-0 defeat of their Asian rivals in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
Kerr's effort equalled legendary forward Sarah Walsh's Matildas record for scoring in five straight games.
The brace also helped Australia to a sixth victory in a row, off the back of the mid-year Tournament of Nations success and back-to-back home wins over Brazil in September.
The Matildas have netted 19 times in that run — with Kerr helping herself to nine of them — but none have been better than her second on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old followed a bouncing ball along the box and unleashed an unstoppable rocket that was still rising as it passed China goalkeeper Zhao Lina to sail into the net.
The strike brought the entire Matildas bench to their feet and secured a well-deserved result.
Stajcic said his side "dominated" the game, which was a tricky match-up given China appointed coach Sigurdur Eyjolfsson just a fortnight earlier.
"Credit to the players for having the maturity to be able to solve problems on their own on the field," he said.
"It's a great sign for us, that they can find those solutions within the game and during the game."
The scoreline flattered China, which did not force an Australian save until second half injury time.
In front of an appreciative crowd of 10,904, Stajcic's side was barely troubled and could have racked up several more.
Kerr found the opener on 23 minutes, positioning herself smartly at Emily Van Egmond's corner to skilfully score with the back of her head.
Butt's strike deflected off Ma Jun's head past the stranded Zhao on 53 minutes, before Kerr's stunning third.
The West Australian's double exemplified her rapid rise in the sport.
After taking seven years and 51 matches to score her first eight goals for Australia, Kerr has tallied nine goals in her last five appearances.
Stajcic hailed Kerr's latest world-beating performance.
