The line-up is in and it is the news WA fans were hoping to see – Sam Kerr will lead out the Matildas in front of a sold-out home crowd.
The Matildas have arrived at Optus Stadium for their crunch clash with The Philippines in their second Olympic qualifying match in Perth.
After a second-string side beat Iran 2-0 on Thursday, coach Tony Gustavsson has rotated the squad and brought in the big guns for Sunday’s game.
Sam Kerr will lead the line for the Matildas after scoring the second goal off the bench against Iran, and will skipper the side in front of the sold-out stadium, which has a chance to be one of the largest-ever crowds at the venue.
Shoot-out hero Mackenzie Arnold will start in goal, while Ellie Carpenter in the lone player who retains her place in the line-up from Thursday’s game.
Alanna Kennedy and Clare Hunt will start at centre-back, with vice-captain Steph Catley at left-back with Katrina Gorry and Kyra Cooney-Cross marshalling the midfield.
Hayley Raso, Caitlin Foord and Mary Fowler also come into the line-up, with Kerr leading the line up front.
Australia need a win to move to top of the qualification group, after The Philippines thumped Chinese Taipei 4-1 on Thursday.