Australia star Kerr determined to finish third at World Cup

Sam Kerr insists Australia will do everything they can in order to finish third at the World Cup.

The co-hosts were left heartbroken after being knocked out of the tournament by England during their 3-1 semi-final defeat.

Star striker Kerr has had limited game-time throughout the tournament due to a calf injury, but lined up for the Matildas on Wednesday in front of 75,784 fans in Sydney.

Although she levelled after Ella Toone's opener, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo sent the Lionesses through to Sunday's final against Spain.

Australia will now face Sweden in the third-place play-off in Brisbane on Saturday and Kerr is determined to ensure they finish the tournament on a high.

She told the official FIFA website: "It's hard now because the disappointment is so raw, but looking up into the crowd, with 75,000 people here again, we can see that we've really captured the nation.

"The support we've had has been amazing and we'll do everything we can at the weekend to get those fans third place.

"The amount of people who've come out to support us, who've been there at our hotel, I'll say it again: it's been amazing. We never could have dreamed about this kind of support.

"So yeah, we have to pick ourselves up and go again. And we're going to do everything to win third.

"We'll need to process this but we'll be back up, ready to go to Brisbane – and hopefully to make everyone proud."

Both teams have plenty of Women’s Super League representation within their squads, and Chelsea forward Kerr admitted it was a tight game. 

She added: "It really was a good battle, we play with and against these girls week in, week out, so we know they're all world-class players.

"We were up for it, they were up for it, and there really wasn't much in it in the end. But someone has to lose, and it sucks that it's us."