Sam Kerr will have to wait just a bit longer to make Australian footballing history but it seems merely a matter of when not if.
The Matildas captain moved within one goal of equalling Tim Cahill's record as she registered her 49th strike for her country in Tuesday night's 2-2 draw with Brazil at Parramatta's CommBank Stadium.
Cahill, in rarefied air alongside legends like Pele and Ronaldo who have scored at three World Cups, holds the record for Australia's senior male and female teams with 50 goals.
A mooted friendly with the USA in November would give Kerr a golden opportunity to level and eclipse the record set by the 108-cap Socceroos superstar on home soil, not that she is keeping a running tally.
"I don't keep count, but it seems everyone else is keeping count for me so I don't have to," Kerr told Network Ten.
"If I can be anywhere close to what Timmy was for Australia, I'd be super proud.
"I still pinch myself that I'm even (mentioned) in the same sentence as him.
"It is nice. Any time you score for your country. It's an amazing honour."
Failing a two-goal haul against the USA, the 28-year-old Chelsea striker will in all likelihood move past Cahill on the scoring charts in January's Asian Cup.
The draw for the tournament in India takes place on Thursday at 6pm (AEDT).
The Matildas have shown some growth under Tony Gustavsson during the two-game series against Brazil.
But vulnerabilities at the back continue to be an area of concern.
They threw away a two-goal lead after Clare Polkinghorne and Kerr had scored, but the Australian captain said there were still positive aspects to how they kept the spirited Brazilians at bay.
"They had some big players starting and I was really proud of the girls," Kerr said.
"It's not easy when the crowd is going and we've made lots of subs and there are tired legs.
"To do what we did and weather the storm - there were some scary moments - so I'm proud the girls could hang on."
Australian Associated Press
