Kerr to lead Aussie women in soccer WC

WELLINGTON: Striker Sam Kerr was named captain of the troubled Australian women’s football team Wednesday, with coach Ante Milicic confident she can lead the Matildas into a new era.

Kerr, 25, will head the team at this year’s World Cup and has her first taste of leadership as Australia hosts the Cup of Nations this week in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Her appointment comes after Milicic’s predecessor Alen Stajcic was dumped in controversial circumstances last month over unspecified concerns about “player welfare”.

While Stajcic has threatened legal action and many in Australia’s soccer community still want answers about his sacking, Milicic said Kerr’s appointment was a chance for the team to move on. Kerr has earned 72 caps for Australia and scored 27 times since her debut in 2009, frequently celebrating her goals with a trademark back flip.