Summary
Thank you for joining me tonight. Australia made hard work of it, but even without Sam Kerr it was a night to remember, the Matildas launching their World Cup campaign with a hard fought victory on home soil in front of 75,000 spectators.
I’ll leave you with Kieran’s match report, but stay tuned for plenty more reaction and analysis over the coming days.
The next match in Group B is tomorrow when Nigeria take on Canada in icy cold Melbourne. Australia are back in action this time next week against the Super Falcons in Brisbane.
Don’t forget, there is a mountain of World Cup coverage just a couple of clicks away, not just on Australia and the other contenders, but all the stories that matter.
Stand-in skipper Steph Catley has had a few words with the host broadcaster.
I think it’s been a long build up to this game and there has obviously been a lot of anticipation, a lot of anxiety. That’s natural. I think you could see that in moments. We were nervy and probably didn’t play as calmly as we normally do and Ireland were fantastic. They put us under pressure, played their corners really well and fair play to them. There were nervy moments we will look to clean up further in the tournament.
On hearing Sam Kerr would miss the match through injury:
Heartbreak to be honest. 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. 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.
On slotting home the winning penalty:
Yeah, it was a big moment. I’ve been practising a lot, and I do like taking set pieces, so I take it like a set piece, take a breath, hit it where I want to hit it and luckily it went in.
On the scale of the night and the remainder of the tournament:
I think it’s been the longest four years in my life building up to that game. The fact we got the win, got a clean sheet and battled hard in situations that are really difficult. I think they are one of the best teams in they are one of the best teams in the world at set pieces. They have fantastic aerial threats and deliveries. If we handle threats like that well throughout the tournament, we stand in good stead.
Here’s how Kieran Pender saw things from inside Stadium Australia.
No Kerr, no worries. That was the message from the Matildas on Thursday evening, with a historic win over Ireland in the host’s opening match of the Women’s World Cup.
Gustavsson will be thrilled with yet another clean sheet – Australia’s third in a row and seventh in nine matches. Clare Hunt continues to excel at the highest level, Alanna Kennedy has slotted seamlessly back into the centre of defence from injury, and Mackenzie Arnold exudes confidence in goal.
There can be no questioning the commitment further up the park either with Gorry and Cooney-Cross thundering into challenges all night and the likes of Raso and Carpenter refusing to shirk a physical challenge.
That was a fierce battle between two committed teams. Ireland showed great discipline for 45 minutes, and then gave all they had in the final 20 to rescue a result after falling behind.
Australia had the upper hand for most of the night, but created very little in the absence of Sam Kerr. In the first half they looked unable to change their game plan when Ireland denied them the space they crave, and then they were forced to hang on nervously at the death.
Full-time: Australia 1-0 Ireland
Australia’s home World Cup campaign is up and running… just.
Updated
90+6 mins: Oh! Was that Ireland’s opportunity? Payne plays the ball down the right and it somehow evades three Australian defenders. Larkin pounces, puts the cross over but McCabe can’t shift her feet quick enough and eventually can only force Arnold into a half-hearted save.
90+5 mins: Ireland are leaving bodies upfield in these closing stages, hurling the ball forward in a bid to win a positive ricochet. None are forthcoming and Australia are almost home.
90+3 mins: Another corner, easily dealt with this time, but Ireland refuse to accept defeat. First to everything in midfield the ball breaks to Larkin but her effort is wide and Arnold can milk the clock before the resumption of play.
90+1 mins: The free-kick from Connolly clips the wall and whistles behind for a corner. That was close! The corner is whipped across and Arnold for the second time tonight has to punch clear from her line with the ball curling towards goal! Ireland pressing hard late on.
Updated
89 mins: Ooooh, decent opportunity for Ireland here. The ball was bouncing around in midfield, an Irish boot got to it first, stabbing it towards the penalty area, where Hunt is too eager to climb over Atkinson, sending the forward to the turf. The result is a very very dangerous free-kick opportunity.
88 mins: Australia now have five at the back, one of whom is Carpenter, who continues to bomb down the right flank, hoping to dovetail with Raso. Nothing comes of it this time, but over on the Irish right Larkin shows a nice turn of pace to get down the outside and whip over a cross, but the composed Arnold is unflustered and plucks the ball out of the sky.
Updated
87 mins: Quinn easily heads clear Catley’s delivery but Raso recycles possession well and dinks over a cross that’s a fraction too high for Foord.
Atkinson comes on for Carusa as Pauw tries to rescue a result at the death.
85 mins: Gorry, probably the player of the match, steps up in midfield to win the ball cleanly. She looks for Raso but the winger is caught by a stray finger and the Matildas settle for the free-kick.
Updated
83 mins: McCabe’s first effort is headed clear. The second is more dangerous, but again Australia’s rearguard is well marshalled. Hunt and Kennedy have looked very strong.
Gustavsson makes another defensive change with Mary Fowler making for veteran Claie Polkinghorne.
82 mins: Play is increasingly stretched now with both midfields AWOL. Australia again probe on the edge of the box but can’t fashion a clear opportunity. A couple of toe-poked interceptions later and Ireland have a corner at the other end.
81 mins: Australia almost seal it! Fowler links well with Raso on halfway who frees Foord down the right. IT’s all very similar to the goal against France but the pullback this time is to Gorry, and her effort is blocked.
79 mins: Arnold does superbly on her line to catch the in-swinging corner above a coconut shy of heads and under immense pressure. She suffers a knock for her troubles, which allows Gustavsson a chance to send some messages out to his troops.
Updated
78 mins: It’s still all Ireland. O’Sullivan with a dangerous cross form the right towards Larkin that Carpenter sends out for yet another corner.
HISTORY. 💚💛
— Accor Stadium (@AccorStadium) July 20, 2023
75,784. The biggest-ever crowd for a women’s football game in Australia 🙌
Thank you to all those that turned out at #StadiumAustralia for Australia v Republic of Ireland to make this a special night on Day 1 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/WAYzkcYGEO
75 mins: Another corner to Ireland, their third in quick succession. Olés ring around the ground as McCabe curls one over with her left foot. Arnold can’t get out to punch, but Australia manage to clear. They don’t deal with the recycled phase though and when the ball eventually works its way back into the penalty area the Matildas look nervy at the back, desperate to keep their upper limbs out of the way of the bouncing ball with the Brazilian referee studying the scene with intent.
Updated
74 mins: The cross towards the penalty spot is flicked clear but only as far as O’Sullivan. From the edge of the box the Irish No 10 can’t get enough purchase on her volley and the shot floats wide.
Gustavsson, sensing the change in the pattern of play sacrifices Vine for Van Egmond to stiffen up the Australian midfield.
73 mins: It’s taken Ireland those couple of substitutions and a few minutes of readjustment, but they’re coming at Australia now. That same intensity in the tackle remains but now there are more bodies in front of the ball to capitalise on turnovers. From broken field a nice break down the left forces Gorry into conceding a corner.
Updated
71 mins: McCabe takes it with her left foot and almost curls it directly into the net! That was a vicious delivery and Arnold does well to get a fist to the effort with the tall frame of Quinn providing a leaping obstacle. Good goalkeeping.
69 mins: For the first time all night the game is stretched with Ireland coming out of their shell and Australia relishing the opportunity to run into space. The Matildas link passes but an isolate Vine turns into trouble and Ireland head down the other end quickly. Catley does well in defence but Quinn still earns a rare corner.
Updated
68 mins: Catley’s delivery is perfect for Foord to glance on at the near post, but there’s nobody to stick home the opportunity at the back stick.
67 mins: Ireland try to work through the lines out of defence but there’s no fluency. Gorry pounces o the indecision and drives towards goal, letting fire from the edge of the box, but her effort is deflected wide for a corner.
65 mins: There’s not a lot happening in either box as Australia slowly assert themselves. Ireland have adjusted their structure, shifting to a 4-4-2, but they’re yet to gather any momentum.
Updated
62 mins: Australia are now dominating possession, and the goal advantage means there isn’t the desperation of the first half to get the ball forward quickly. Pauw finally turns to her bench. Farrelly and Sheva are replaced by Larkin and Quinn. Will they make the difference?
60 mins: Fowler concedes a turnover trying to knit play together. It offers Ireland the opportunity to break but they don’t have numbers in attack and Australia are soon back on the ball. The Matildas work it down the right before Hunt lofts a cross over that Payne fails to deal with. Foord stands Payne up and works the ball back to Gorry who unleashes a horrendous wayward effort.
Ireland have to shake things up soon.
Updated
58 mins: Speaking of playing nicely into hands, Arnold floats off her line to pluck out a deep free-kick with superb composure. She’s had very little to do tonight but that demonstrates her form and concentration.
57 mins: Ireland are trying to rouse themselves but they have simply not been set-up to break Australia down. It’s going to take a major re-jig, which of course will invite the Matildas to hit them on the break – which will play nicely into Tony Gustavsson’s hands.
55 mins: The battle of the night over on the Irish left continues with McCabe hustled to the ground by the smirking Gorry, Raso coming over to play bodyguard. The resulting free-kick is swung over but easily dealt with by the Australian defence.
54 mins: Fowler almost makes it two! Australia press quickly from the restart and the ball breaks to the Manchester City star on the edge of the box but her left-footed effort flies over.
53 mins: You don’t save those. Superb spot-kick. Catley is immediately swamped by all her teammates. The relief is palpable.
Updated
GOAL! Australia 1-0 Ireland (Catley, pen 52)
Captain for the night Steph Catley sends Stadium Australia wild, belting a left-footed penalty high into the left corner.
Updated
PENALTY AUSTRALIA!
The Matildas are noticeably more patient in possession this half, and after Fowler’s earlier skill, Australia look to keep the ball moving in the middle third until Cooney-Cross spots the darting Raso, who is bundled over in the box by Sheva. Stonewall penalty.
Updated
49 mins: The second half has yet to settle as Ireland resume their energetic pressing and diligent positional play. Australia need more from Mary Fowler to unpick this defence – and right on cue – she shows lovely control in the No 10 role and slides a ball through for the onrushing Vine. The Sydney speedster gets into the box but is bundled out of possession.
Updated
48 mins: The delivery is deep and arcing, but Australia flick it clear. There’s another stoppage soon afterwards though as Australia even the ledger on the feisty McCabe.
47 mins: No changes at half-time, and Ireland will be happy with how the second period has begun, earning an early free-kick on the right in decent crossing range.
46 mins: The second-half is under way. Will we see a winner in Sydney?
The teams are back out for the second half. The host broadcaster lingers over a disappointed-looking Sam Kerr wrapped up in a massive puffer jacket. If you’ve just joined us, Australia’s star has done a calf and will be out until at least the third group game.
Updated
Time for a brew. If you’re enjoying the Guardian’s coverage of the Women’s World Cup from Dublin, Dubbo, or Centaurus I hope you know it is only possible thanks to funding from our fans all around the known universe. We don’t have a paywall, so everything we publish is open and free for everyone.
Fund quality sports journalism from the Guardian today from as little as £1. It takes less than a minute but makes a huge difference.
Updated
Half-time: Australia 0-0 Ireland
A full-blooded first-half ends goalless. Ireland are proving very awkward for a Sam Kerr-less Australia.
Updated
45+6 mins: Much better from Australia with the fullbacks pushing much wider, allowing Gorry space to run into in midfield, through the lines. Foord takes over, but she’s crowded out in the box. Gorry then has a pop from distance that will pad both hers and Brosnan’s stats.
45+5 mins: Australia are being allowed all the time on the ball they like in their defensive third, but as soon as they try to move the ball downfield Ireland snap into action. The Matildas look short of creativity.
45+4 mins: The crowd sighs as Vine passes a long way back from her attacking position on the left wing, but she had nowhere else to go with Ireland so disciplined in defence.
45+2 mins: Ireland win the ball in midfield but O’Sullivan has nobody in front of her and is soon swamped by gold jerseys.
45 mins: This time the Matildas retain possession in midfield, probing first through Carpenter, then with Raso, but again Ireland time their moments to step out of defence and interrupt the flow of play to perfection. That said, McCabe then flies in recklessly at Gorry and is lucky to escape without a booking.
Updated
44 mins: Ireland’s structure has been spot on. Australia go through another phase of feeding the two midfield screeners, only for Gorry and Cooney-Cross to send the ball backwards for a defender to pump it long. At which point, an Irish defender reads the play and intercepts.
42 mins: Raso and Vine try to muscle their way through the Irish defence but when the ball is in broken play Ireland’s players are the hungrier. O’Sullivan does superbly to control the tempo as the visitors look to work their way out of defence, but then she receives the first yellow card of the night for a late challenge as Australia brought bodies to the fight.
Updated
40 mins: Foord again shows her vision in the final third but her tempting ball across the penalty area has nobody to honour it. A Kerr, a Kerr, my kingdom for a Kerr!
Updated
38 mins: Now it’s Australia’s turn to grimace as Raso goes down after a clash of knees with McCabe. The Australian is no stranger to serious injuries. Thankfully this one looks just like a knock.
Updated
37 mins: The delay allows both coaches the opportunity to pass on some instructions to their players. McCabe has a few fingers on her left hand taped up, but she seems happy enough to continue. Nails, that one.
Updated
35 mins: Lovely skill in midfield form Cooney-Cross, then Foord does even better on the edge of the box to fashion half a yard of space, but her shot is blocked off the boot. She gets another chance soon afterwards but her snapshot on the left side of the penalty area is dragged harmlessly wide.
Meanwhile, McCabe is down holding her left wrist. She landed heavily lunging to clear the ball away from Carpenter. Not good news for Ireland.
33 mins: Along with that McCabe challenge there has been no shortage of physicality in this half. There have been plenty of sliding challenges, shoulder-to-shoulder battles, and off-the-ball scrapping. Ireland will be delighted to have engineered such an outcome.
Updated
32 mins: Catley’s delivery is menacing. Brosnan comes out to punch, doesn’t get much purchase, but as the mass of bodies adjusts to the bouncing ball it’s a green boot hacking it clear.
31 mins: McCabe flies in hard on Raso and leaves a few stud marks on the Australia’s foot. the Matildas can load up with a set-piece on the right.
29 mins: Cooney-Cross and Gorry are repeatedly accepting the ball from Australia’s back four, looking up, only to have to turn on their heels and conservatively retain possession. It’s no surprise when Gorry is robbed in the forward press and Ireland can pour forward on the counter. Kennedy does well to repel the first effort, then Arnold is called into action to palm away a cross that risked leaking in at the far post. Eventually an offside flag brings the hosts some respite.
Updated
27 mins: Catley’s left-footed inswinger teases the six-yard line but is headed behind bravely by an Irish defender. The second effort is even more dangerous and finds the forehead of the beribboned Raso six-yards out – but she nods wide. The first decent opportunity of the evening goes begging.
Updated
26 mins: The crowd is muted and the Matildas look a bit puzzled. Ireland are sticking to their task to the letter. They now have a corner to defend though with Raso winning a 50-50 on the right.
Updated
24 mins: Mary Fowler’s technical skill in midfield threatens to be that Plan B, but after beating one green-jerseyed opponent she runs out of room. Australia recycle and overhit the long ball to Vine. Plenty for Tony Gustavsson to ponder.
Updated
23 mins: Kennedy is allowed to ping an early switch of play out of defence to Raso on the right, but she can’t find the underlapping Carpenter and the move breaks down. This is a good example of the challenges of Australia’s high-octane low-percentage game. When a team like Ireland cuts off the space they need a radical plan B.
22 mins: Ireland are enjoying a tidy spell. After a foul in midfield they probe down the right, but there’s little penetration.
Updated
21 mins: Ireland again deal with the set-piece, but Australia recycle possession well on the edge of the box, until Cooney-Cross is caught in possession. Ireland sniff an opportunity and fire a beautiful arcing ball in behind the Australian defence for Carusa, but Gorry does superbly to snuff out the danger. Ireland get another look soon afterwards but Carpenter is alert to the cutback from the byline.
19 mins: Carusa tries her best to hold the ball up on the left wing but she doesn’t have the support and Australia break at speed. The early ball into the inside left challenge from Arsenal’s Catley to clubmate Foord does the trick. The latter dshows some neat footwork to twist into the box and earn a corner.
Updated
18 mins: Cooney-Cross swings the ball over from the left and Hunt arrives at the far post but without balance glances a header wide.
17 mins: Ireland’s first entry into the box tonight should be cleared easily but it takes a few goes by the Matildas defence. Soon afterwards Australia smuggle the ball down the left channel and enjoy a fortunate ricochet to earn a corner.
15 mins: Ireland enjoy a decent spell of possession, recycling the ball all the way from their right wing, back through their defence, and out onto the left flank, all while Carusa was down nursing an injury. The move falls down when Raso runs full pelt into McCabe, conceding a free-kick.
13 mins: Gorry and Fowler link well in midfield, but they’re desperate for the early ball over the top, and on this occasion from Cooney-Cross it’s too hot for Raso to Handle.
12 mins: Australia have been unable to execute those long early direct balls with Ireland defending so deep. Consequently gold defenders are seeing plenty of possession, so far reluctant to carry the ball into the space in front of them and force the Irish out of their shape.
Updated
10 mins: Australia are struggling to control the ball in midfield and set the tempo. Ireland are matching the Matildas in the engine room, and defending deep to avoid being caught on the break. It’s worked well so far, allowing them to ease their way into the contest.
Updated
8 mins: Textbook give and go one-two between Carpenter and Raso on the right. Both are so fast and strong they are a formidable combination. The Lyon fullback’s cross is cleared at the near post and the second effort allows Ireland to clear. The Irish seize the opportunity to string some passes together, but they’re mainly sideways, until… another throw-in.
7 mins: Most of the play so far has been in the vicinity of players with whitewash on their boots. Lots of throw-ins. the latest to Ireland courtesy of a robust sliding challenge from the industrious Gorry. Speaking of whom:
“The broadcaster in Sweden just had a piece on how Katrina Gorry enjoys playing for Vittsjö in the Swedish Damallsvenskan. The interview focuses on how four pensioners help out as nannies during trainings and games. It gives an interesting perspective on being a professional footballer far from the headlines created by Henderson and Ronaldo.” Lovely stuff from Håkan Burden on the emails in Gothenburg.
6 mins: Gorry’s nearpost delivery is headed clear and Ireland scrap hard to ensure the second and third balls do not return to the box.
Updated
5 mins: Vine again showing her blistering pace to time her run in behind on the left and control a raking pass in the channel. Ireland do well to get bodies over to cover, but they soon concede a corner.
4 mins: Lovely play form Gorry in midfield, interchanging passes with Raso then jinking her way into space. She feeds Vine on the left with a switch of play but the Sydney FC forward’s cross is easily blocked.
3 mins: The Irish fans may be outnumbered but they are in full voice. Ole, ole, ole, ole, is followed by an audible rendition of The Fields of Athenry.
2 mins: Australia immediately on the front foot, probing first down the left, then allowing the back four plenty of touches of the ball to acclimatise to the occasion. The Matildas are structured as expected with Fowler tucking in behind Foord.
Kick-off!
Australia’s World Cup campaign on home soil is under way…
As kick-off approaches, players stand around the centre circle to observe a moment’s silence for victims of today’s shooting in Auckland.
Updated
Final shout out to readers tuning in from Sydney, Amman, and even Proxima Centauri. Barry Foley, your hopes for an Irish win are lucky to make the cut.
Kick-off is imminent. Let’s hope we’re in for a match worthy of the occasion.
Advance Australia Fair receives a much louder rendition, with most of the 70,000+ crowd joining in. The Matildas are in gold jerseys tonight, green shorts, white socks. Everything is in place.
Updated
Ireland’s players drape their arms around each other’s shoulders for the national anthem. The underdogs will be in traditional green this evening, with white shorts and green socks.
Updated
The teams are about to come back out on to the pitch.
Here are some warm up snaps from earlier.
Out stride the two teams on to the Stadium Australia turf. A moment each of the 22 players will remember for the rest of their lives.
Updated
Tonight’s officials are all from South America. Brazilian Edina Alves Batista is the referee, with compatriots Neuza Back and Leila Moreira da Cruz running the line.
Fourth official María Carvajal is from Chile, and the VAR is Daiane Muniz dos Santos from Brazil.
Are you lot winding me up now? “I’m watching from mostly cloudy Reykjavík, where it’s 12 degrees and mostly windy. Behind the screen I’m watching there’s a rose bush which is as buzzing with bees as I am buzzing with excitement. Also, I’m buzzing from the third cup of coffee of the morning. Best wishes.”
Best wishes to you too, Kári Tulinius.
In news that will not surprise Sydney commuters, reports are coming through of long delays for fans making their way to Stadium Australia by rail.
Commuters are reporting significant delays at Central Station as fans try to get to Olympic Park for the Matildas’ tournament opener against Ireland. #WWC2023 #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/N0oWHDbmeG
— Daany Saeed (@daanysaeed) July 20, 2023
Stick a pin in Thailand on the map of liveblog readers, thanks to Andrew Wright. “Just watched the opening game here in Bangkok as the monsoon rains came down. Great work by New Zealand! Hoping Mary Fowler can step up and score a few - should be good seeing her play further forward and more centrally. Along with Raso, Vine and Foord, that’s still a very incisive forward line with pace on the flanks too.”
It’s clear Australia are going to attack at pace down the flanks and get the ball forward as quickly as possible. However, without Kerr in the box to target there’s the risk of a lack of potency in front of goal – especially in the air.
Updated
Is it even football without David Squires?
Irish flags everywhere around the ground 🇮🇪
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 20, 2023
Annie Mulholland from Newbridge, Kildare is ready for the action 🙌
Be loud, be proud 💚#COYGIG | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/uqIL0ZZ4VP
We’ve had readers getting in touch from Ireland, the US, and now Lebanon. “I’m watching live from my place in Beirut where it’s heading towards 30’C,” emails Miriam Adams-Schimminger. “I’ve taken the day off from my thesis and I’m confident that the mighty Matildas can do us proud.”
The Kerr news comes as a huge shock, barely an hour out from the opening match. But the shock is compounded because yesterday evening, at the pre-match press conference, it was business as usual from Kerr and coach Tony Gustavsson. Neither said a word about Kerr’s injury, which we now know was suffered on Wednesday morning at the team’s final pre-match training session. Kerr seemed confident, upbeat, excited - no hint that she might not play in the opening matches of a home World Cup. But here we are - the Matildas Kerr-less ahead of the biggest match in their history.
A mild and sunny winter’s day has given way to a cool dry evening in Sydney. A northerly breeze may keep the corner flags active, but it shouldn’t interfere with play.
The temperature is dropping fast. Lines for free fleecy Matildas capes are lengthening. pic.twitter.com/baa0vNveUQ
— Jack Snape (@jacksongs) July 20, 2023
HarryofOz is here, so everything feels right with the world. “What a fantastic start to the World Cup. A terrific and fully deserved win for New Zealand. And what amazing scenes at the end, is that not the reason that we all follow sport? Just to see moments of joy and scenes like that.
Saddened of course to now hear the Sam Kerr will miss the first two matches, but hopefully we can overcome that. Come on you Matildas. Make the night even better.”
Updated
“As an Irishman, I am very excited about today’s match v Australia,” emails Niall O’Keefe. “The match is at 11 am here and many young Irish girls here will have, what I call, their ‘Italia 90’ moment. That was the first World Cup Ireland qualified for and we did OK, losing to hosts Italy in the quarter-finals! Naturally, I feel empathy for Sam Kerr. Top player and person and we are lucky she is out. I predict an Irish win.
In the 1994 World Cup in the USA, 90% of the crowd who witnessed Ireland beating Italy in New Jersey, was in green. Irish folks have a knack at getting tickets. My bold prediction is half the crowd at kick off will be in green! COYGIG. Come on you girls in green.”
The parallels are easy to draw between the World Cup debuts of the Irish men and women. Vera Pauw feels it too, channelling Jack Charlton in her press conference a few days ago, urging her charges to “give it a lash”.
If this experience is anything like Italia 90, Irish fans are in for a treat.
Updated
Speaking of Julie Dolan, here she is in conversation with our own Jack Snape outside the ground a short while ago.
Bumped into Matildas legend Julie Dolan outside the stadium. pic.twitter.com/oRHc4muqtp
— Jack Snape (@jacksongs) July 20, 2023
The journey to nights like tonight has been long and full of sacrifices, driven by the passion of individuals like Julie Dolan.
Julie Dolan is @TheMatildas cap number one.
— Anika Wells MP (@AnikaWells) July 20, 2023
When Julie started, they weren't sponsored by @CommBank - she fundraised by selling lamingtons.
Julie was the first Australian woman to walk onto a football pitch representing our country in an official international football match.… pic.twitter.com/u01LuK08ak
“Greeting from pitch dark California,” emails Mary Waltz. It’s 2am Mary, I hope you have a good barista. “Gutted for Kerr, and the Aussies. I decided to set my alarm so I could see the best striker in the women’s game and the first thing I read is she is injured. This is the drama of the World Cup. It will be fascinating to see how the home side responds to this blow.”
It sure will. The solitary goal against France last week came without her on the pitch, so the alternatives are there. But it’s the intangibles – the leadership, the confidence she exudes, the fear she generates in her opponents – that Australia will miss the most.
Updated
Here’s the full story of Sam Kerr’s absence from Australia’s opening two matches.
Updated
Ireland XI
Vera Pauw sticks with the XI that started their farewell friendly with France in Dublin recently. Arsenal star Katie McCabe has the honour of captaining Ireland on their World Cup debut, and her battle on the left flank with Real Madrid flyer Hayley Raso will be one to watch.
Ireland: (5-4-1) Brosnan (GK), Payne, Quinn, Fahey, Connolly, McCabe © / Littlejohn, O’Sullivan, Farrelly, Carusa / Sheva.
Australia XI
Tony Gustavsson’s starting XI features ten of the same faces that defeated France in Melbourne last week. Of course, the one change could not be more significant, with Sam Kerr replaced by Mary Fowler. Without Kerr leading the line it will force a reshuffle of the forward line with Caitlin Foord likely to start as an out-and-out striker with Fowler tucking in behind.
Australia: (4-4-2) Arnold (GK), Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley / Raso, Cooney-Cross, Gorry, Vine / Fowler, Foord.
Updated
It’s filling up in Sydney @JPHowcroft Pic credit Jess Munk pic.twitter.com/TE6134I11t
— david munk (@davidmunk) July 20, 2023
KP has also cast his eye on Ireland’s preparations in Brisbane.
Pauw’s Republic of Ireland side make their Women’s World Cup debut on Thursday. As if that moment was not significant enough, Ireland’s opponents are co-hosts Australia, in the Matildas’ opening match of their first home World Cup. The Irish players will walk out to a record-breaking crowd at Stadium Australia, with most of the 81,500 fans anticipating a home victory.
But Pauw and her players have other ideas. In their last training session in camp at Football Queensland’s headquarters, before the team travel to Sydney to begin final preparations, the Irish are plotting what would be an almighty upset.
Kieran Pender is our man with the Matildas, and he set the scene from the Australian camp in Sydney – before the bombshell news about Sam Kerr was public…
In the search of the intangible, last week the Matildas backroom staff brought Cathy Freeman into camp. The Sydney 2000 Olympics sensation knows all too well how to succeed with the weight of a nation’s expectations on her shoulders, and agreed to meet with the Matildas to share her wisdom. “It’s just a crazy, wild ride,” Freeman told the players. “You’re writing your names in history, ladies.”
Matildas captain and star striker Sam Kerr has been ruled out of the opening matches of the 2023 Women’s World Cup due to injury.
Barely an hour before Australia’s campaign began at Stadium Australia on Thursday, Football Australia announced on social media that Kerr would be unavailable due to a calf injury picked up on Wednesday. “Sam will be unavailable for the next two matches with the Matildas Medical Team to re-assess her following our second group stage match,” the team tweeted.
Manchester City striker Mary Fowler was picked in the starting eleven in Kerr’s place. Kerr fronted at press conference on Wednesday evening and gave no indication that anything was amiss.
Kerr added in a post on Instagram: “Unfortunately I sustained a calf injury yesterday in training. I wanted to share this with everyone so there is no distraction from us doing what we came here to achieve. Of course I would have loved to have been out there tonight but I can’t wait to be apart of this amazing journey which starts now.”
Australia captain Sam Kerr injured
Straight in with some breaking news, and it is the doomsday scenario for Australia. Captain, goalscorer, and driving force Sam Kerr will not play tonight, or on matchday two after picking up a calf injury. More to follow.
SQUAD NOTE: Sam Kerr is unavailable tonight after she picked up a calf injury at training on MD-1. Sam will be unavailable for the next two matches with the Matildas Medical Team to re-assess her following our second group stage match.
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 20, 2023
Updated
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Australia v Republic of Ireland from Sydney’s Stadium Australia. Kick-off in this World Cup Group B opener is 8pm.
It is the biggest moment in the history of football in Australia, at the start of a month that could see such a statement superseded many times over.
It is a moment Australia has been building towards since 2019 and the start of the host nation bidding process. During that period the women’s national team has continued its inexorable surge in popularity. The Matildas are now in the conversation for Australia’s team and star players like Sam Kerr have blossomed into household names.
Crowds building ahead of gates opening at 6pm. pic.twitter.com/WOjNifWpqE
— Jack Snape (@jacksongs) July 20, 2023
Kerr has claims to being the greatest female footballer on the planet, and the majority of her teammates play for the best clubs in the most demanding leagues. The Matildas may have proven themselves adept at PR and brand partnerships, but high performance is a prerequisite.
For a period after the appointment of coach Tony Gustavsson in 2020 that wasn’t the case. But the Swede’s long-term plans appear to be coming together with perfect timing. Victories this year over England and France are testament to the potential of Australia being more than just gracious hosts. Ranked tenth in the world by FIFA, on current form they warrant a nudge up the ladder, then throw in home comforts and passionate support over the next few weeks and the profile of a genuine contender emerges.
By contrast, Ireland’s ambitions are more limited. Drawn in a group alongside the tournament hosts, as well as Olympic gold medallists Canada, getting to the knockout stage will be a minor miracle. But, on debut, there will be much to take away from the World Cup experience nonetheless, not least the thrill of an opening night full house in the stadium that hosted the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
I’ll be back with team news and insights from the two camps shortly. If you want to get in touch at any point you can always send me an email.
