Socceroos legend slams claims Matildas have become UNWATCHABLE in the absence of injured skipper Sam Kerr

Former Socceroo turned human rights advocate Craig Foster has slammed suggestions the Matildas are currently a tough watch minus injured skipper Sam Kerr.

Foster, 55, responded to an opinion voiced by SEN radio breakfast host Andrew Voss, who declared Australia’s favourite sporting team have become pedestrian.

It follows two recent defeats on home soil against Brazil – but Foster, who has 29 international caps to his name, disagreed.

‘We’ve got this incredible generation, the greatest generation we’ve ever had, but of course they’ve only got another few years left in them, so we have to plan for that,’ Foster said on Friday. 

‘That’s why [interim coach] Tom Sermanni has started to bring through the next generation.

‘We don’t know what the next five or six years will look like. We are certainly hopeful they [Matildas] are going to maintain their performance levels.’

Voss has a point, especially given golden girl Kerr – currently recovering from an ACL injury which has seen her sidelined since January – is 31.

Rugby league identity Andrew Voss said he wasn’t compelled to watch the Matildas in recent international matches against Brazil and Taiwan

The Matildas captured the imagination of the Australian sporting public after reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup on home soil last year (pictured, Sam Kerr after scoring against England in the semi-final)

Fellow gun striker Caitlin Foord is 30 – and tellingly, the next best option is Michelle Heyman, who is 36.

Once that trio retire, the future looks grim for Australia when it comes to world class strikers. 

Foster stressed Football Australia must continue to search high and low for the next Matildas head coach – and the appointment has to be spot on.

‘This next coach is so important… it’s been our Achilles heel in Australian football across both genders…..controlling games and winning with the ball,’ he added.

‘[In saying that] the Matildas are phenomenal to watch in any respect. Even if they lose, the way they play.. I love the way they approach the game.’

But the news isn’t all bleak for Tillies fans – the likes of Daniela Galic, Natasha Prior and Sharn Freier all made their first international starts for Australia against Taiwan this week in Melbourne – and didn’t look out of place.

Prior in particular was a standout with the ball at her feet and Galic looks like a generational talent in midfield aged just 18.

‘She plays with composure, authority. She’s got good defensive strength and she’s mobile,’ Sermanni said of Prior after the 3-1 win over Taiwan at AAMI Park.

‘I spoke to the players about before the game….. ‘I want to see players come in this team and look like they belong’ and I think she’s done that.’

The Matildas again tackle Taiwan – this time in Geelong – on Saturday night from 7.30pm.