Shocked by Sam Kerr’s late withdrawal due to injury, Australia took time to settle before getting off to a winning start to the Women’s World Cup on Thursday by beating Ireland 1-0 in Sydney.
Steph Catley scored a 52nd-minute penalty to break Ireland’s resistance and spark an eruption of joy among the fans inside Stadium Australia.
There was also no shortage of relief from the majority of the 75,784 in attendance after the tournament co-hosts struggled to cope without Kerr, the country’s all-time leading goalscorer, who will also miss the second Group B match against Nigeria due to injury. on the calf.
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Australia’s players celebrate after Steph Catley scored the first goal from the penalty spot during the Women’s World Cup soccer match between Australia and Ireland at the Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia on Thursday, July 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Fans only found out about her absence about an hour before kick-off, with the Chelsea striker suffering the injury in practice on Wednesday. It is not certain that she will face Canada again in the team’s final Group B match in Melbourne on July 31, and medical staff will have to assess her recovery.
Mary Fowler, who is of Irish descent, replaced Kerr in Australia’s attack, but while the Manchester City striker is a highly-skilled prospect, the absence of the iconic team captain was clear.
Kerr was considered one of the stars of the tournament and the face of the Matildas’ bid to be crowned world champions for the first time. Without her leading the charge against Ireland, Australia seemed either clueless or cutting edge.
Despite the cheers inside the stadium, the home team rarely seemed to open the scoring in the first half.
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Australia’s Steph Catley, left, celebrates after scoring the first goal from the penalty spot during the Women’s World Cup soccer match between Australia and Ireland at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, July 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
The Aussies had a chance to take the lead shortly after the break when Marissa Sheva tackled Hayley Raso to the ground in the box.
Referee Edina Alves signaled the penalty spot and Catley converted by sending Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan down the wrong path as she shot calmly with her left foot.
Ireland, playing in its first World Cup, had beaten Australia in the teams’ last meeting, winning 3-2 in a friendly in Dublin in 2021.
Despite pushing hard for an equalizer late on, the Irish were unable to find a breakthrough.
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Referee Edina Alves Batista shows a yellow card to Ireland’s Denise OSullivan, right, during the Women’s World Cup soccer match between Australia and Ireland at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, July 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
UNTIL NEXT TIME:
Australia plays Nigeria in Brisbane on July 27, the day after Ireland takes on Canada in Perth.