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Alex Chidiac. Photo: Getty Images <\/p>\nMatildas captain Sam Kerr says she hopes tournaments like the FIFA Series will ensure all federations see the opportunity in women\u2019s football, as Australia prepares to take on Kenya in the final of the FIFA Series on Thursday, 1am AEST. <\/p>\n
Speaking in Nairobi ahead of the game, Kerr was asked what she will tell Kenya\u2019s players, many of whom will be playing against a player they look up to. <\/p>\n
\u201cFootball is growing, women\u2019s football, now there is an opportunity for girls, if they really commit to playing football, to chase their dreams, there\u2019s a real opportunity to play wherever you want in the world. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou see African players all over the world \u2013\u00a0(Malawi\u2019s) Chawinga\u00a0sisters, a lot of girls playing in the USA. <\/p>\n
\u201cPeople can see the dreams \u2013 the reality of where they want to be. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy message is always clear no matter where you\u2019re from: if you chase your dreams, commit to it, there is a pathway for young girls growing up. <\/p>\n
\u201cI feel very luck to be in the position I\u2019m in to be able to inspire people who I play against, or are looking to play women\u2019s football. For me it\u2019s a nice opportnuity to come here and enjoy my football and inspire more girls hopefully.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cOne thing I would like to see is more equality across the federations and every federation sees the opportunity in women\u2019s football.\u201d <\/p>\n
Matildas boss Joe Montemurro has almost a full contingent with him in Kenya as he balances planning for the World Cup in 2027 with live, current action.<\/p>\n
Alex Chidiac. Photo: Getty Images <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in a situation where we\u2019re trying to stabilise the squad, get continuity and have a look at players who can go forward and make the World Cup squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Kenya\u2019s approach is to be very compact and deep that\u2019s a great challenge for us. We need to find ways to unlock those situations through our solutions and our football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Montemurro likened the FIFA Series to the UEFA Nations League as a way to ensure meaningful international football between competitions \u2013 but mused whether or not the results could cascade into something even more tangible. <\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all, to have more realistic friendly scenarios \u2013 the Nations League, in Europe, they have to get points to qualify for World Cup\u2026for us, the FIFA Series has been really important because we get to play other nations, other styles, other ways of thinking,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has to be a seriousness put to what a friendly means. Is it for ranking? is it for positioning for qualifiers? I think that\u2019ll level out the situation. Picking or choosing the friendlies you want to come to is only damaging the image of the game.\u201d <\/p>\n
An example of the benefit of these matches was Leticia McKenna, the fifth goal scorer on Saturday night. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is Leticia\u2019s first introduction. It was really, really important \u2013 it sends a message for future generations. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a lot of talent in our A-League, our stocks, that we need to start giving confidence and belief. For me it was an important message, not just for Leticia, I am so proud of her, but for the foundation of our development in Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kenya v Matildas <\/p>\n
Date:\u202fThursday 16 April 2026 AEST<\/p>\n
Kick-off:\u00a01am AEST\u00a0<\/p>\n
Venue:\u00a0Nyayo\u00a0National Stadium, Nairobi\u00a0<\/p>\n
Broadcast: Paramount+<\/p>\n
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Leticia McKenna. Photo: Getty Images <\/p>\n
Matildas squad<\/p>\n
Goalkeepers: Morgan Aquino, Mackenzie Arnold, Chloe Lincoln<\/p>\n
Defenders: Winonah Heatley, Jessika Nash, Jamilla Rankin, Charlize Rule, Kaitlyn Torpey<\/p>\n
Midfielders: Alex Chidiac, \u00a0Isabel Gomez, Alanna Kennedy, Leticia McKenna, Amy Sayer, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler\u00a0<\/p>\n
Forwards: Sam Kerr, Holly McNamara, Hayley Raso, Remy Siemsen<\/p>\n
What happened in game one? <\/p>\n
Your Next Read<\/p>\n
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