Matildas ready to build on confidence-boosting win over Ireland

21.07.2023 - 06:05 channelnewsasia.com

SYDNEY : Australia defender Ellie Carpenter said winning their Women's World Cup opener against Ireland on Thursday had calmed their nerves and can provide the springboard for a good run at the tournament on home soil.A second-half penalty from stand-in captain Steph Catley gave the co-hosts a 1-0 win in Group B, with regular skipper Sam Kerr missing out through injury.It was Australia's first win in a Women's World Cup opener since 2007, when they reached the quarter-finals."It's so important.

We've talked about this for the last three years in our preparation, that this first game will really dictate how we go in this tournament," Carpenter said."It wasn't the prettiest game of football, Ireland are very physical ...

Sometimes you just have to win, it doesn't have to be pretty."Now that we've checked that first game off, got out of all the nerves, I think we're really going to hit the ground running next game."Kerr, her country's all-time leading scorer with 63 goals, will also miss their second match against Nigeria in Brisbane next week after sustaining a calf injury in training on Wednesday."We know that she was with us throughout the whole 90 minutes and we played for her, we won for her," Carpenter said. "We know that she'll be back with us soon."We're all there for her like she's always there for us during (tough) times ...

Football country win on Sam Kerr Steph Catley Australia Ireland Nigeria

As the world became enraptured with the 'will she play or won't she play' saga surrounding Sam Kerr's troublesome calf, Steph Catley went about her business for Australia. Without much fanfare, and with even less fuss, the 29-year-old defender stepped up to don the armband and lead the Matildas into the knockout stages of the FIFA Women's World Cup. When the side needed her, she was there.

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MELBOURNE : A Women's World Cup that had been in danger of losing both its co-hosts before the knockout phase enjoyed a vital shot in the arm when Australia raced into the last 16 with a 4-0 trouncing of Canada.

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MELBOURNE : Behind Australia's 4-0 demolition of Canada at the Women's World Cup was an order from injured captain Sam Kerr to win the match without her so she could buy time to recover from her calf strain, coach Tony Gustavsson said.

Australia Face Must-Win FIFA Women's World Cup Clash, Japan Take On Spain

Co-hosts Australia have to beat Canada on Monday or risk an unthinkable exit from the Women's World Cup in the first round, while former champions Japan take on Spain with top spot in their group on the line. Australia are sweating on the fitness of star forward and captain Sam Kerr for the Group B game against Canada in Melbourne which starts at 1000 GMT and where only a win will guarantee them a place in the last 16. Kerr has missed the Matildas' two matches so far, in which they beat the Republic of Ireland 1-0 but then suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat against Nigeria.

Kerr gives Australia World Cup boost but England sweat on Walsh

Australia’s forward Sam Kerr (L)

Sam Kerr to return from calf injury for Australia’s must-win clash with Canada

Australia captain Sam Kerr confirmed she will be available for the Matildas’ final group stage encounter with Canada after missing their first two World Cup matches with a calf injury.