After Kerr’s injury shock
Fatal bump ensures Australia’s World Cup dream start
7/20/2023 2:02 p.m
In front of a record crowd, the Australian soccer players managed the perfect start to their home tournament. In the second part of the World Cup opener, the Irish defend their own goal with everything they have. But an impetuous push makes the Matildas cheer – after a shock has to be digested beforehand.
Australia celebrated a gigantic football festival at the start of the home World Cup. 75,784 fans roared the title contenders on Thursday in Sydney’s Australia Stadium against Ireland for their first win – even without the ailing star player Sam Kerr (Chelsea FC) it was enough for a not particularly convincing, but all the more important 1-0 (0-0). The Matildas had never won the first game of a World Cup before. New Zealand had previously surprised in the opening game with a 1-0 (0-0) against former world champions Norway.
After a short opening celebration, Australia had the advantage of the field, had many corner kicks, but there was rarely any real danger for the Irish goal – Kerr was painfully absent. The striker will miss at least the second game against Nigeria on 27 July with a calf injury sustained in final training.
“I wanted to share this with everyone so there is no distraction from what we are trying to accomplish here,” she wrote in a statement. Fourth team in Group B are the Philippines. Australia, regarded as tournament favorites alongside USA and England, needed a penalty to break out of the apparent tension. Captain Steph Catley (52) converted Hayley Raso in her own penalty area after a shove from the impetuous Irish striker Marissa Sheva. Ireland only came out stronger in the closing stages and were able to create a couple of good chances but were unlucky in front of goal.
35 matches of the World Cup hosted jointly with New Zealand (29) will be played on Australian soil, including all three group games of the German team. The final on August 20th will also take place at Stadium Australia.