Overview
- Australia lost 3-0 to England in Derby after Alanna Kennedy was sent off in the 19th minute, and a late VAR review awarded a penalty that sealed the result.
- Coach Joe Montemurro said the captaincy call was a football decision and confirmed Sam Kerr will remain skipper.
- Kerr started and played 69 minutes in her second match back for Australia, drawing a first-half save from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
- Caitlin Foord and Ellie Carpenter defended Kerr’s leadership and said she needs time to regain full sharpness after a long layoff.
- Charges from a widely publicised London incident were dismissed by a jury, yet debate over her armband continues as preparations build for the Women’s Asian Cup in March.