Australia Women vs Republic of Ireland Women. Women's World Cup Group B.
Stadium AustraliaAttendance75,784.
Match report as Australia battle to a tough opening-day win over Republic of Ireland in the Women's World Cup; striker Sam Kerr missing with a calf injury; Steph Catley nets the winner from the penalty spot; the Irish face Canada next, Australia play Nigeria in Group B
Friday 21 July 2023 08:04, UK
Steph Catley converted a second-half penalty for below-par Women's World Cup co-hosts Australia as they battled to a nervy 1-0 victory over Republic of Ireland.
Australia's home tournament, for the first two group stage games at least, will be navigated without their captain as it was confirmed pre-match that Sam Kerr had sustained a calf injury in training.
The news handed the Irish side a timely boost ahead of their first-ever appearance at a World Cup finals, where it took a Catley spot-kick to separate the sides after Hayley Raso was upended by Marissa Sheva.
Catley's delivery from 12 yards was emphatic, finding the top right of Courtney Brosnan's goal, though the goalkeeper was otherwise unworked as Australia lacked cutting edge and a clear focal point in the absence of Kerr.
"Losing a player like Sam, probably the best player in the world - and her as a person - obviously we were heartbroken," stand-in captain Catley admitted post-match.
Vera Pauw's Ireland side, in contrast, performed with promise and purpose on their tournament debut, led admirably by all-action Katie McCabe, but were unable to break Australia's resolve in Sydney, with over 75,000 fans in attendance to roar the Matildas onto victory.
"It's very disappointing. We said at half-time this was a game that would be decided by one mistake, them or us," Pauw reflected. "We are a team that's battling," she added.
Rocked by the late withdrawal of Kerr through injury, Australia took time to settle before eventually labouring to a winning start.
Australian captain Catley described her side's performance as "overzealous" under the pressure of competing as a host nation, but managed to hold her nerve long enough to sweep home a 52nd-minute penalty to end Ireland's impressive resistance.
The strike sparked an eruption of joy from fans inside Stadium Australia, but the struggle to replace Kerr with any real firepower was exposed, while Ireland, unlucky to come away empty-handed, came close to rescuing an equaliser as nerves jangled late on.
Forward Caitlin Foord wasted the chance to double Australia's lead by heading aimlessly across goal in the 68th minute, but that presaged Ireland's best period as they deserted their strategy of containment in favour of an aggressive counter-press.
Megan Connolly gave the Australian's a fright with a free-kick in stoppage time which whipped just over the angle of post and crossbar, before McCabe forced Mackenzie Arnold into a smart save from close range.
Louise Quinn was then guilty of spurning Ireland's best chance when she headed a whisker wide of the far post in the dying seconds.
Australia will be buoyed by the fact they earned maximum points from a game where their performance perhaps deserved less, and will still feel they can be genuine contenders after confidence-boosting wins over England, Spain and France this year.
Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw:
"We are a team that's battling, Irish DNA is battling, that is within us. I'm really proud of their first time on this stage.
"Next game, it will be clear that like this game we went in for results, to play for results, not just to be part of a nice tournament in Australia.
"We have shown that we can play against the very best teams in the world, we've now shown how to get through it. We do not fear anyone."
Ireland captain Katie McCabe speaking to ITV:
"The changes brought a lot of energy. The Aussies were tiring out towards the end and we just wanted to continue to put pressure on them and get them turned - we created a lot of set-piece opportunities from it.
"I think the second half shows a better account of ourselves and we'll look to bring those positives into the second game against Canada.
"I enjoyed it - I think everyone enjoyed it. There were a few tough moments, but as I said earlier in the week, we don't shy away from that. We love the physicality of the game."
Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:
"This Australia performance had all the hallmarks of England's opener at last summer's Euros. Nervy, tense and slightly apprehensive. The weight of home nation expectation falling heavy on shoulders unaccustomed to the burden.
"What we now know is the Lionesses went on to triumph at that tournament - and as history teaches, any side in contention will possess the very necessary ability to win ugly.
"In truth, the Aussies were gifted that victory. As Ireland manager Vera Pauw acknowledged post-match, the game was destined to be decided by a single mistake. Fine margins. As it turned out, the error was owned by Irish defender Marissa Sheva.
"Where Ireland can profit, however, is in preparation for Canada in six days' time. Positives can be gleaned from the way they unsettled Australia, remained tough and tenacious, and were competitive until the bitter end. Katie McCabe in particular was a warrior, leading a side with real capacity and belief.
"Australia's noisy band of compatriots saw them narrowly over the finish line, but this tournament is far from over for the plucky Irish contingent."
The group stage has begun and runs over a two-week period finishing on August 3. Group winners and runners-up progress to the round of 16, which takes place from August 5 to August 8.
The quarter-finals, which will be held in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney, are scheduled for August 11 and 12.
The first semi-final will then be played on August 15 in Auckland, with the other semi-final taking place on August 16 at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, which will then host the final on August 20.
A third-place play-off will be played the day before the final on August 19 in Brisbane.
