The Matildas celebrate Steph Catley’s penalty against Ireland in the Women’s World Cup opening game. Photo credit: The Matildas via Twitter.
Co-hosts Australia got their Women’s World Cup campaign off to a winning start as they overcame a spirited display from tournament debutants Republic of Ireland in front of a record crowd at Stadium Australia in Sydney. The goal came in the 52nd minute from a Steph Catley penalty, and sealed the win for the Matildas. After fellow co-hosts New Zealand broke their attendance record for a football match, Australia did likewise as 75,784 fans were in the stadium – vindicating the decision to move the game from the Allianz Stadium due to demand.
Tony Gustavson’s side suffered a major blow ahead of the game when talismanic captain Sam Kerr was ruled out of the Matildas’ first two matches after suffering a calf injury in training yesterday. She will be assessed again after their match against Nigeria next Thursday. However Australia were able to call upon Mary Fowler to replace the injured Kerr.
As was perhaps expected, Australia dominated possession in the early stages, at one stage having 81% of the ball- but it took until the 17th minute for their first real opportunity from Katrina Gorry’s corner, but Clare Hunt couldn’t find the target.
The first half was played defensively from an Irish point of view, with limited attacks and only 36% possession. Australia struggled to break down Irelands defence, only managing 1 shot on target in the first-half, while Ireland managed none. Possibly the best opening of the first half actually came for Ireland on the half hour mark, when a dangerous cross from Marissa Sheva was palmed away by Mackenzie Arnold. Five minutes later Caitlin Foord had Australia’s best chance of the half but found the side netting.
Denise O’Sullivan received a yellow card in the 41st minute for a late challenge. However, O’Sullivan went on to cover the most ground of the night, covering 11.03km.
The beginning of the second-half followed the trend of the first. Mary Fowler almost doubled the lead within seconds of the restart but fired her shot over. Foord also went close with a header midway through the second half as Australia pressed for a second to make the game safe. Until the 50th minute when a cross was swung in from the left, which Hayley Raso attempted to attack, before being nudged in the back by Irelands Marissa Sheva, which led to Brazillian referee Edina Alvez quickly pointing to the penalty spot. The Matildas captain Steph Catley smashed her penalty into the top-left corner, giving Brosnan no chance.
Republic of Ireland had chances of their own and applied repeated pressure in added time as they searched for an equaliser. Megan Connolly’s free kick was deflected onto the crossbar and resulted in the first of two corners in quick succession.
Ireland manager, Vera Pauw made two substitutions in the 63rd minute, bringing on Abbie Larkin for Sinead Farrelly, and Lucy Quinn for Marissa Sheva. Larkin and Quinn brought an abundance of energy, and Ireland spent the last 25 minutes on top, searching for an equaliser, with McCabe leading the way, breaking the lines. Ireland’s first corner came in the 70th minute, which McCabe nearly swung into the net herself. As Ireland began to push their wing-backs up the pitch, an equaliser looked like it could be coming, however Irelands finishing just wasn’t up to standard.
In the 87th minute, Ireland made another change, bringing on Isibeal Atkinson for Kyra Carusa. This change meant Megan Connolly would go to centre back, to let 6ft Louise Quinn up front, for the remainder of the match.
In the 90th minute, Lucy Quinn was taken down just outside the box, in a good position for a Megan Connolly free kick. The free kick clipped the Australian wall, and skimmed the top net.
There was six additional minutes, which Ireland dominated, kicking the ball forward at any chance they got. Substitute Abbie Larkin sprinted down the right-wing in the 96th minute and earned her team one final opportunity from a corner, however Louise Quinn headed the corner narrowly wide, in the final play of the game.
Photo Credit: Matildas Twitter
Speaking to RTE after the game, Ireland captain Katie McCabe said:
“The second half shows a better account of ourselves” and “there are lots of positives to take from it”.
Despite the late chances, Ireland were unable to find the leveller and Australia ensured both co-hosts gained a narrow win on the tournament’s opening day. Ireland will be looking to dust themselves off and prepare for a huge game against Canada next Wednesday. While Australia will be looking to build on this performance, as they take on Nigeria next Thursday.
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