Arnie hails Sam Kerr and says, 'I wish she could play for us!'

The Westfield Matildas have gained a legion of fans in 2017. Some are new to football, while others have been around the game for decades.

One of those is Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold, who has lent his voice to the growing chorus of admiration for Australian sport's newest heroines.

“I watched them twice last month and they make Australia proud,” said "Arnie" after seeing Australia defeat Brazil twice in NSW in September.

“I love watching them.

“Sam Kerr is fantastic - I wish she could play for us!”

Sam Kerr

 

Matildas coach Alen Stajcic is well-known to Arnold, having been the inaugural Sydney FC women's head coach and holding the role until he took over the national side in 2014.

The Sky Blues qualified for the semi-finals in all six seasons Stajcic was in charge, winning two Grand Finals and two Premierships.

“Alen's doing a fantastic job - he's a hall-of-famer at Sydney FC and we're extremely proud of him and we're proud of the girls,” said Arnold.

“The biggest improvement I've seen with them is how athletic they are.

“From where they were maybe four or five years ago, they're amazing and so much quicker – they press and they chase.

“When you see them in their huddle before the game, they're laughing and smiling and people just see they're enjoying each other's company and they're prepared to fight for each other,” said Arnold.

The Matildas are next in action in Victoria as they take on China PR in two games next month.

Westfield Matildas players celebrate one of Sam Kerr's goals against Brazil in Newcastle.