Another US MVP award for dominant Kerr

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Another US MVP award for dominant Kerr

Cary: Sam Kerr’s ever-expanding career trophy haul grew once again on Friday, as the star Australian striker was named the 2019 Most Valuable Player for the US-based National Women’s Soccer League.

Kerr’s most recent accolade is her second NWSL MVP Award after she was also voted the league’s outstanding player in 2017.

She has also won the Golden Boot Award for the league’s top scorer for the past three seasons, in addition to a swag of individual honours in Australia’s W-League.

Son, Kerr nominated for Ballon d’Or

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Son, Kerr nominated for Ballon d’Or

Paris: Two of Asia’s biggest stars have been shortlisted among the world’s best players, with Korea Republic’s Son Heung-min and Australia’s Sam Kerr nominated in their respective categories for the prestigious honour awarded by France Football.

Son was one of 30 players to make the final shortlist in the men’s category, while Kerr was one of 20 to be selected on the women’s side.

Spanish-based Korean youngster Lee Kang-in was also among nominees, earning a place on the 10-man shortlist for the Kopa Trophy, which is awarded to the best performing player aged 21 or under.

Kerr and Nagasato star as Chicago advance to NWSL decider

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kerr and Nagasato star as Chicago advance to NWSL decider

Chicago: Asian stars Sam Kerr and Yuki Nagasato are 90 minutes away from becoming champions of the United States’ National Women’s Soccer League, after both played key roles in Chicago Red Stars’ 1-0 semi-final win over Portland Thorns on Sunday.

Australian striker Kerr scored Chicago’s decisive eighth-minute goal after a sublime pass from Japanese 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner Nagasato, continuing the seemingly telepathic understanding between the pair, who respectively lead the league for scoring and assists.

Kerr’s goal was her 19th of the NWSL season, while Nagasato’s defence-splitting assist was the ninth of the campaign for the 32-year-old, with eight of them having been converted by Kerr.

Tokyo 2020 Women's Tournament final qualifying round groups drawn

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo 2020 Women's Tournament final qualifying round groups drawn

Kuala Lumpur: The journey to identify the two teams who will join Japan in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Women’s Football Tournament has begun, following the official draw for Round 3 of the Asian Qualifiers at the AFC House on Friday. 

Group A will have DPR Korea, hosts Korea Republic, Vietnam and Myanmar.

Group B pitted Australia, hosts China PR, Thailand and Chinese Taipei.

Prolific Kerr sets new US scoring record

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Prolific Kerr sets new US scoring record

Bridgeview: Australian striker Sam Kerr made her latest entry to the record books, breaking her own record to set a new individual season scoring mark in the US-based National Women’s Soccer League on Saturday.

The Matildas goal machine and 2017 AFC Women’s Player of the Year found the back of the net twice in Chicago Red Stars’ 3-1 win over Washington Spirit, taking her season tally to 18; one more than the previous record she set in 2017.

Kerr’s 18 goals have come in just 20 appearances, and despite her missing a month of league football due to Australia’s participation in FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, where she scored five goals in four matches.

Korea Republic share spoils with world champion Americans

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Korea Republic share spoils with world champion Americans

Chicago: Korea Republic denied world champions United States a record-equaling 18th consecutive win, battling their way to an impressive 1-1 draw in an international friendly at Soldier Field on Sunday.

Chelsea Ji So-yun stunned the 33,000-strong crowd with the opening goal just after the half-hour mark, before Carli Lloyd equalised three minutes later but the Americans couldn’t find a winning goal in head coach Jill Ellis’ final game in charge.

Korea Republic’s draw ends a five-game losing streak and makes them the first side to share the spoils with the Americans since England claimed a 2-2 draw in March.

Nadeshiko cruise past Canada

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nadeshiko cruise past Canada

Shizuoka: Tokyo 2020 hosts Japan officially got their Olympic preparations underway, overwhelming World Number Seven Canada to claim an impressive 4-0 win at IAI Stadium Nihondaira on Sunday.

Mana Iwabuchi, Yuka Momiki, Yui Hasegawa and Rikako Kobayasahi all got on the scoresheet for Asako Takakura’s side, who ended a run of one win in their previous eight games in fine style.