Melbourne: Caitlin Foord has hailed the impact of superstar Sam Kerr and believes the striker's stunning goal-scoring form is bringing the best out of the entire Australian team.
Kerr nabbed a brace - her second an incredible long-range strike - as the Matildas accounted for China PR 3-0 at AAMI Park on Wednesday.
Kerr has now scored a remarkable 22 goals in her last 18 games for club and country, including seven in her last four outings for Australia.
“She just keeps scoring goals, doesn't she?," Foord said. “I think it drives the team to be better.
“To know you have someone who can score goals when you need them is a good feeling to have.
Such has been Kerr's form that she has been nominated for the AFC Player of the Year 2017, with the winner to be announced in Bangkok, Thailand on November 29.
“The hype around her and the team is very exciting," said Foord, who won the award last year.
“It kind of puts pressure on us to have to perform and it's what Australia expects now.”
Despite the comfortable victory over China, Foord insists there is no complacency in the Australian team ahead of the second game against China in Geelong on Sunday.
In fact, she expects coach Alen Stajcic to find plenty of discussion points.
“He always finds things that need to be improved on,” smiled Foord.
“He's never satisfied with any game.
“I think we'll go back and watch a fair bit of film.
“We'll have a bit to improve and hopefully fix those things up going into the next match.
“I still think this team has more to give.
“We're playing well at the moment but we can still play better.”
And Foord revealed a sense of fun has played a big part in the way the Matildas have performed in 2017.
Australia have won six consecutive matches dating back to August's Tournament of Nations triumph in the USA.
“When we come into camp now we're all just having fun,” Foord said.
“We don't get to take the field together very often so when we do we make the most of it.
“When I'm having fun, I play my best football and I think that's what is reflecting on the team,” she said.
Sources: Football Federation Australia, AFC
Source: the-afc.com