Matildas defeat Ireland 1-0 in their first Women's World Cup match on home soil
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| Australia lead over Ireland in their first match of the FIFA Women's World Cup onJuly 20, 2023.(ABC News: Brendan Esposito) |
The Matildas have defeated the Republic of Ireland 1-0 in their World Cup opener on home soil at Stadium Australia after losing captain Sam Kerr to a calf injury.
Questions over Kerr's fitness will dominate Australia's Women's World Cup campaign after the Matildas showed how difficult life could be without their superstar skipper.
Stand-in captain Steph Catley scored her side's only goal with a second half penalty.
The injury will rule Kerr out of the Matildas' second group B game against Nigeria on July 27, with Football Australia saying she would be assessed before their final group match with Canada.
Coach Tony Gustavsson kept Kerr's injury in-house until shortly before the match and opted for Mary Fowler to fill the void up front.
But without their talismanic leader, Australia struggled for direction.
Caitlin Foord, who led the line in Kerr's absence, didn't come into the game until late in the first half when she began to drop deep.
Foord had an effort blocked and another rippled the side-netting but it felt like she was clutching at her chances.
Fowler shadowed Foord but the pair were unable to light the fuse and Ireland's deep-sitting back five snuffed out most of their openings with relative ease.
The Irish were willing to get stuck in with their captain Katie McCabe getting the better of Hayley Raso in a running battle down Australia's right.
Australia resorted to long-ball tactics and Ireland were too savvy to deal with it.
It was only when Raso was fouled in the Irish box in the 52nd minute and Catley whacked away a penalty that nerves settled.
Australia play Nigeria next week before a meeting with Canada on July 31 that will likely decide who tops the group.
Whether Kerr is there or not, will dominate headlines for the next 10 days.
Meanwhile, New Zealand achieved their first ever win in a men's or women's FIFA World Cup, defeating Norway 1-0 in Auckland.
The Football Ferns were stubborn in defence, never letting Norway settle into the contest.
Hannah Wilkinson scored five minutes after half-time when she finished off a cross from Jacqui Hand which came from the right touchline.
The massive crowd at Eden Park exploded when the ball hit the back of the net, and again when the full-time whistle blew.
Okeke George Chijioke
When you don't see Okeke George blogging, he sure will engage him self in sporting activities.
