Steph Catley penalty gives Sam Kerr-less Australia winning start in FIFA Women’s World Cup

SYDNEY – Co-hosts Australia laboured initially within the absence of injured captain Sam Kerr however a second-half penalty from Steph Catley received them off to a strong begin on the Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 win over Ireland in Group B on Thursday.

The news that striker Kerr had been dominated out by a calf harm shocked the document crowd of 75,784 because it filtered into Stadium Australia however Catley stepped as much as take the captain’s armband and rating the decisive aim within the 52nd minute.

Ireland, cheered on by a loud band of compatriots, made life tough for the Australians with their compact defence and got here near forcing an equaliser throughout a interval of sustained strain late within the second half.

“It’s incredible to get the win, I think this is the longest buildup to a game in my entire life,” Catley informed reporters.

“Losing a player like Sam, probably the best player in the world and her as a person, obviously we were heartbroken. We had to use her spirit … to help us push on. She’s so, so important, she’s our spiritual leader.”

After a second’s silence for the victims of the morning’s capturing in Auckland, the sport opened as had been anticipated with Ireland getting loads of our bodies behind the ball and difficult Australia to attempt to break them down.

The Matildas have been profitable in utilizing their tempo on the flanks to get behind the Irish defence however the massed ranks of inexperienced shirts managed to take care of the following crosses into the field.

It was from the set piece that the hosts seemed probably to attain and winger Hayley Raso had the primary try on aim from a twenty eighth minute nook solely to flash her header large.

The second shot on aim got here simply earlier than halftime however Katrina Gorry’s long-range effort was simply gathered by Courtney Brosnan within the Ireland aim.

‘One Mistake’

Australia got here out with extra intent after the break and the half was solely seven minutes outdated when Kyra Cooney-Cross despatched the ball looping into the field and Ireland ahead Marissa Sheva shoved Raso to the bottom.

Catley gave Brosnan no likelihood with the penalty, hanging the ball together with her left foot firmly into the highest nook of the Ireland internet.

The penalty appeared to ease the Australian nerves and Mary Fowler, who had changed Kerr up entrance, nearly instantly stormed ahead and lashed a shot excessive over the bar.

Australia striker Caitlin Foord headed the ball throughout the face of aim within the 68th minute however that presaged Ireland’s finest interval of the sport as they launched wave after wave of assaults.

Megan Connolly got here shut with a free kick in stoppage time which whipped simply over the angle of the put up and crossbar to provide the Australians within the crowd a mighty fright.

The Irish continued to pour ahead searching for an equaliser and Katie McCabe compelled Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold right into a save earlier than Louise Quinn headed the ball simply previous the put up within the dying seconds.

Australia, nevertheless, held on to make a successful begin to a match through which they really feel they are often real contenders after wins over England, Spain and France this yr.

“It’s very disappointing, we said at halftime this was a game that would be decided by one mistake, them or us,” Ireland coach Vera Pauw informed RTE.

“Sam Kerr is one of the top strikers in the world, her not playing was of course an advantage, but they have a powerful team and it was very difficult to play against them.”

—Reuters