Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 July 2023 | 11:00 am | Women's World Cup | 2022/23 |
Match Report
World Cup hosts Australia collected a hard fought opening night win against the Republic of Ireland thanks to their stand in captain Steph Catley’s penalty early in the second half of a game. All the talk before the game was about how the Australians would cope without Sam Kerr, the Chelsea star, who had picked up an injury yesterday that ruled her out of the first two games of the competition. Ireland with a full deck to pick from had a fairly predictable look to their side for the competition opener. Ireland had come into the game as underdogs and expected to sit deep and hope to hit the Aussies on the break and that’s essentially how the first half played out but Ireland did apply plenty of pressure in the closing stages but just couldn’t find a break through. The hosts controlled the early exchanges as Ireland struggled to get to the pace of the game but for all their possession they struggled to really generate a meaningful chance in the opening half. They did dominate the corner kick stats though, forcing five corners in the first period although they weren’t able to worry Irish keeper Courtney Brosnan from those set pieces. Ireland soaked up the pressure from their opponents and did get two decent opportunities to threaten the Australian goal. A combination between Denise O’Sullivan and McCabe almost released Carusa but the sole Irish forward just couldn’t get control of the ball. Caitlin Foord seemed to be able to pick her way through the Irish defence but they were limited to long range efforts and half chances. Cortnee Vine and Hayley Raso were threatening in an attacking sense with Raso almost finding the target with one effort late in the first half which Brosnan gleefully gathered easily. For all the pre game talk of the physicality of the opponents in last week’s game it was the Irish girls who were getting stuck into the Matildas with both Katie McCabe and Denise O’Sullivan dishing out some tasty challenges. O’Sullivan picked up the game’s first booking just before the half time whistle as the Irish will have gone into the dressing room for the break much the happier of the two sides. Disaster struck at the start of the second half when a clumsy challenge from Marisa Sheva saw the Japanese referee point to the spot and Arsenal player Steph Catley hit a very impressive spot kick to open the scoring and change the entire tone of the game. Tempers began to flare slightly as McCabe again was getting stuck into her opponents, drawing fouls which gave Ireland opportunities to get the ball into the box. Australia were more than capable of dealing with the deliveries from Connolly as Australia looked to be growing in confidence. Pauw did ring the changes in an attacking sense with the introduction of Abbie Larkin and Lucy Quinn but it failed to bring a meaningful addition of intensity to the Irish side. Australia had the first real opportunity with Gorry picking the ball up in midfield and seeing her effort blocked out for another corner by Louise Quinn. Foord gets a header on the set piece but it goes agonisingly wide of the post for the Arsenal striker who has looked dangerous throughout. Ireland eventually won their first corner and a whipped effort from McCabe caused havoc in the Australian box as Arnold in the Aussie goal was relieved with a whistle from the referee indicating a free out. The fresh legs of Larkin and Lucy Quinn finally started to pay dividends as Ireland started to force a series of corners. O’Sulilvan having the best opportunity from one set piece as the ball broke to her on the edge of the box, but the ball just didn’t come down in time to get a meaningful effort on goal. Ireland’s decision in the closing stages to move centre half Louise Quinn to attack, not for the first time in recent games, once again showed the lack of a viable plan B for the Irish. Ireland did enjoy an last gasp chance with a free kick from Connolly taking a deflection over the bar before a series of corners for the Irish failed to find an Irish head with the Australians all over the place at the back. Ireland never quite looked like being able to breach the Aussies and with their largest goal threat Barrett on the bench it was opportunity lost for the Irish to start with a positive result ahead of two more challenging games.Australia secure opening night World Cup Win against Ireland
Timeline
Past Meetings
 
3 - 2Women's Senior
Tallaght Stadium Ireland v Australia |
|
(International Friendly)
2 - 1U21 Friendly
Dama de Noche Football Centre, Marbella Ireland v Australia |
Ground
| Stadium Australia |
|---|
| Accor Stadium, Olympic Plaza, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, City of Parramatta Council, New South Wales, 2127, Australia |
Final Whistle
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FULL TIME: Australia 1-0 Republic of Ireland
Megan Connolly has a quick effort on goal from the edge of the box but it gets deflected just over the bar. Another set piece for Connolly to worry the keeper and once again Ireland force another corner as Arnold flaps at the cross.
Ireland have once again pushed Louise Quinn up front in a desperate attempt to get a lucky equaliser. A free on Lucy Quinn on the edge of the box has given Ireland a chance as the game ticks into the first of six minutes of extra time.
The game opened up in the last ten minutes as both teams opened up. Australia had a flowing move but Niamh Fahey managed to block it down before a quick break almost created an opportunity for Larkin but her touch just let her down. The next few minutes resembled a tennis match as both teams were on all out attack. Ireland drew a corner but Australia coped admirably.
Another corner for Ireland, but Arnold gathers well and this time not much uncertainty about the referee's whistle as she ends up on the ground in a crowded goalmouth.
Ireland's substitutes are beginning to get into the game as they're beginning to threaten in attack. A series of corners and a little bit of pinball in the box almost sees Carusa get a shot on target in front of a record 75,784 people at the World Cup game.
McCabe's delivery has the Australian defence at six's and seven's but the Australia keeper Mackensie Arnold punches the ball out and draws a free kick from the match referee to relieve the home side.
In a rare foray into the Australian penalty box, Ireland win a corner from good effort by Lucy Quinn. McCabe's delivery is going to be vital here.
Kaitlyn Foord gets her head on a corner but it goes agonisingly wide for the Australian forward.
Call from the Australian fans as Brosnan is very close to the edge of the box as she picks up a over hit through ball. Referee not interested however.
Double swap for Ireland with Abbie Larkin and Lucy Quinn replacing Marisa Sheva and Sinead Farrelly.
Australia are now moving the ball around at will, some decent inter play between Carpenter and Gorry down the right is stretching the Irish side as we begin to see some movement on the Irish bench.
McCabe gets a kick from Gorry and her anger is beginning to build and erupt. A decent opportunity for Ireland to attack a set piece as McCabe and Connolly stand over the free kick.
And it could have been 2 in a matter of minutes but Mary Fowler can't get her effort on target as it sails over the Irish crossbar.
Steph Catley hit\'s an impressive spot kick giving Courtney Brosnan absolutely no chance.
Ireland have conceded a penalty but Marisa Sheva protests her innocence and suggests a VAR call.
Niamh Fahey uses all her experience to avoid fouling Vine and drawing an offensive foul from the Australia forward in the Irish box.
The Field's of Athenry is ringing around the Stadium. Possibly can be heard around Botany Bay just a few miles from the venue.
Australia clear Ireland's first set piece but Ireland win a follow up free kick to keep the pressure on Australia in the opening minutes of the second half.
Ireland get us underway for the second half. It's a big 45 minutes ahead for both sides.
Half Time: Australia 0-0 Ireland
Katrina Gorry has a long range effort but Brosnan deals well with it as the six minutes of added time roll to a close for the half time break.
Katie McCabe is doing well to stay out of the referee's book. Her eagerness to get her side going is creating a number of fouls in both directions.
A VAR check has slowed the game slightly but it's cleared, there did appear to be a hand of god above an aerial challenge moments ago. Obviously an Australian hand rather than an Irish one .
First booking of the encounter goes to Denise O\'Sullivan for a foul on the side line. Ireland do well to defend the set piece and mop up the possession again.
Kaitlyn Foord has been busy having a few half chances for the Irish but she hasn't been over worrying Brosnan just yet as we approach the break. Will give relief to both the Irish team and the under pressure RTE sound engineers.
Now it\'s McCabe\'s turn to dish out the tackles. Raso is taking a moment after a challenge with the Irish captain.
Bit of a knock to Katie McCabe as she cleared the ball in the last phase of play but she's receiving some attention now in what will be a worry for Vera Pauw.
Ireland are making a number of rookie mistakes here. Have been getting away with it so far, but this errors could hurt Ireland as the game progresses.
Opportunity for Australia as Katie McCabe gives away a free kick inside the Irish half. Ireland need to stand tall on this.
Ireland are beginning to grow more into this game as the game progresses. After a bright start from Australia it's beginning to level off as the atmosphere appears to have dipped somewhat.
Chance for Sheva as she almost gets on the end of a cross from O\'Sullivan but it\'s well dealt with by Gorry at the back for Australia.
Opportunity on the break for Carusa as Katie McCabe finds the striker but she just can't take possession and the chance evaporates.
Exciting from Kaitlyn Foord as she slaloms through Niamh Fahey and Heather Payne but the Irish players do enough to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Tensions rising as McCabe picks Raso's pocket and Raso retaliates. Ireland's set piece delivery is poor and is dealt with easily by the Matilda's.
Australia have been impressive so far as Ireland struggle to get possession of the football.
Great burst from the impressive Ellie Carpenter for Australia but the cross is cut out by Fahey, who's been a rock at the back for the Irish so far.
A bright start for both teams with Australia setting the early pace.
And we are off with the Australian's starting the game and getting us underway.
Fantastic to see US born Sheva, Carusa, Brosnan and Glasgow born Littlejohn bellowing out \'Amhran na bhFiann\' is a clear sign of the togetherness of this squad as we prepare for \'Advance Australia Fair\'.
The teams are coming out of the tunnel for a historic first appearance at a Women's World Cup for the Irish girls. Just a few moments to kick off in Sydney.
Australia will still be favourites going into this clash but just over half an hour to go to the World Cup debut for the Girls in Green.
The teams have been named and the big news is a late injury has ruled Sam Kerr out of the game for the Matildas while Denise O'Sullivan has been passed fit to play after her injury last week.