Australia off to a winning start despite losing captain Sam Kerr to injury

SYDNEY – Missing their “spiritual leader” Sam Kerr, Australia initially struggled in their Women’s World Cup opener against Ireland on Thursday.

News of the unavailability of the country’s all-time leading scorer stunned the record crowd of 75,784 at Stadium Australia.

Just hours before kick-off, Kerr had released a statement to announce her absence from their first two games after suffering a calf injury in training on Wednesday.

But Steph Catley stepped up to take the captain’s armband and score the decisive goal in the 52nd minute from the spot to secure a 1-0 win in Group B.

That came just seven minutes after they had re-emerged from the dressing room, where Kerr was heavily involved in a half-time pep talk.

Catley said that despite not playing, the Chelsea forward played an instrumental role by revving them up with her words.

“She’s so, so important, she’s our spiritual leader. Sam was involved non-stop, from the first chat in the locker room to the last chat,” said Catley.

“She was getting around to everyone, as you would expect.”

Adding that it was “heartbreak” to lose their captain, Catley said: “It is one of the most difficult things you can go through as a team, one day out from the biggest tournament in our lives, probably the best player in the tournament going down.

“Other teams are probably frothing – it is great for them. But we got a lot of relief from the way she reacted and we put ourselves out there tonight and made sure we got the win for her.”

The Matildas were initially successful in using their pace on the flanks to get behind the Irish defence, but the massed ranks of green shirts managed to deal with the subsequent crosses into the box.

It was from set pieces that the hosts looked most likely to score and winger Hayley Raso had the first attempt on goal from a 28th-minute corner only to flash her header wide.

The second shot on goal came just before half-time, but Katrina Gorry’s long-range effort was easily gathered by Courtney Brosnan in the Ireland goal.

Fired up by Kerr’s words, Australia came out with more intent after the break and in the 51st minute, Kyra Cooney-Cross sent the ball looping into the box and Ireland forward Marissa Sheva shoved Raso to the ground.

Catley gave Brosnan no chance with the penalty, striking the ball with her left foot firmly into the top corner of the Ireland net.

The penalty appeared to ease the Australian nerves and Mary Fowler, who had replaced Kerr up front, almost immediately stormed forward and lashed a shot high over the bar.

Cheered on by a noisy band of Irish fans, Megan Connolly came close to equalising with a stoppage-time free kick, which whipped just over the angle of the post and crossbar to give the Australians a mighty fright.

Katie McCabe then forced Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold into a save before Louise Quinn headed the ball just past the post in the dying seconds.

Australia, however, held on to make a winning start to a tournament in which they feel they can be genuine contenders after wins over England, Spain and France in 2023.

The co-hosts meet Nigeria next on Thursday, with Ireland facing Canada a day before.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said: “We knew it might just be one of those games where you need to find a way of getting through.”

While expressing pride at her charges’ showing, Ireland coach Vera Pauw said: “It’s very disappointing, we said at half-time this was a game that would be decided by one mistake, them or us.”
REUTERS, AFP