The Matilda on made history Thursday night, becoming the first World Cup in Australia and a 1-0 win over Ireland.
After the devastating news was heard before the game Sam Kerr will be out for the first two gamesThe Matildas had to push forward without their star player and captain.
Sebastian Kalos of the World Wide World of Sports has run through the Matildas’ performance and analyzed the starters and replacements.
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MATILDAS PA
18. Mackenzie Arnold
Clean and tidy and was sure when called. He controlled his box well, especially from Ireland’s set-pieces, and made several saves in injury time to preserve Australia’s lead.
Number: 7
5. Cortnee Vines
He fought his way into the game, getting behind the Irish defense late in the first half to play a dangerous ball to Caitlin Ford, but he lacked his full strength and was eventually replaced by Van Egmond in the second half.
Number: 4
7. Steph Catley (C)
He’s always dangerous from set-pieces but he’s never taken the risk of playing as big as he can be. Strong in defence, he scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot.
Number: 7
9. Caitlin Ford
He created more than half a chance and looked to be on his way out but his last ball let him down, looking to improve as the tournament went on.
Number: 5
14. Alan Kennedy
Strong at the back, he won everything in the air and was clean alongside Clare Hunt.
Number: 6
15. Clare Hunt
The most successful of the last four, they created the ball and controlled a desperate Ireland team, especially in the second half when Ireland were pressing.
Score: 7.5
16. Hayley Raso
Raso was washed with difficult problems
Tricky with some mid-game changes, he had his best chance in the first half when he headed home Steph Catley’s corner to score Australia’s second-half goal.
Score: 4.5
19. Katrina Gorry
He was as active in midfield as ever but produced cheap runs and struggled to support the Australian attack from deep.
Number: 5
21. Ellie Carpenter
It seemed to overlap and attack from the deep ball, the latter although he was not found in good positions, he was strong all night.
Wilkinson is making history
Score: 5.5
23. Kyra Cooney-Cross
Struggling to get involved in the game, he went inside to let Raso out.
Number: 4
11. Mary Fowler
A very good player in the first half and looked like an Australian player who could unlock the Irish defence. He dropped deep to collect the ball and create, tired in the second half and was replaced by the more experienced Clare Polkinghorne.
Rating: 7.5
Subscribers:
4. Clare Polkinghorne (substitute 84th min, Fowler removed)
Level: N/A
10. Emily Van Egmond (74th min substitute, Cortnee Vine removed)
He came to help Australia see progress and increase physical presence.
Number: 3
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