Group B - Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Republic of Ireland

Australia - Republic of Ireland

Referee: (BRA) Edina Alvez
AR1: (BRA) Neuza Back
AR2: (BRA) Leila Cruz
4th: (CHI) Maria Carvajal
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VAR: (BRA) Daiane Muniz
AVAR: (VEN) Juan Soto
Offside VAR: (ARG) Mariana De Almeida

 

Referee: (FIN) Lina Lehtovaara
AR1: (GRE) Chrysoula Kourompylia
AR2: (EST) Karolin Kaivoja
4th: (ROU) Luliana Demetrescu
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VAR: (NED) Pol Van Boekel
AVAR: (QAT) Abdulla Al Marri
Offside VAR: (GER) Katrin Rafalski

 

Sam Kerr ruled out in the first game against Ireland with a calf injury. Apparently she will be out 2 games

 

That's not good

🚨Sam Kerr is OUT of Australia vs Republic of Ireland

The Matildas announced that the attacker picked up a calf injury at training and is unavailable for the next two matches at which point the medical team will re-assess. pic.twitter.com/5rc4yPxIqx

— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) July 20, 2023

 

AUFSTELLUNG
Australien
Arnold - Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley - Raso, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Vine - Foord, Fowler

Reservebank:
Micah (Tor), Williams (Tor), Grant, Nevin, Polkinghorne, Chidiac, Luik, van Egmond, Wheeler, Yallop, Kerr, Simon

Trainer:
Gustavsson

Irland
Brosnan - Payne, Fahey, Lo. Quinn, Connolly, McCabe - Farrelly, O’Sullivan, Littlejohn, Sheva - Carusa

Reservebank:
Moloney (Tor), Walsh (Tor), Caldwell, Mustaki, O’Gorman, O’Riordan, Agg, Grant, Lu. Quinn, Atkinson, Barrett, Larkin

Trainer:
Pauw

 

A huge blow for Australia. I have said ad nauseum that Sam Kerr is the best player in the world -- or at least the best forward.

 

Go Aussie! Make Asia proud

 

It's a big loss for Australia

 

LOL.

Anyway, I am going to miss a good portion of this game because of dinner. So keep me updated.

 

young Cooney-Cross look a bit nervous...

 

You didn't miss anything yet.

 

I see they're still 0-0. Snooze-festival?

 

Yes. 0:0 at halftime. Nothing really dangerous from Australia.

 

In fact, I can't say I was overly impressed by these final minutes + additional time: has it been this way all time?

I'll probably going to miss the final part of this match also, but it doesn't look like I will be missing much.

 

Intense, hard-fought match, but what I really want to say is: Kate McCabe is PHENOMENAL player.
Excellence in defense, coolness in offense, her every play and positioning is thoughtful and adequate. The way she hold Australian player on her back while waiting for pass options was so cheeky and dominant I smirked. Every team would love to have a player like that in their midfield.
Bravo!

 

I find her anyway at times too much reckless in challenges for my taste.

 

Yes, at half time she is the best player of the match (but always too harsh)
Next to that, too much clumsiness at both sides, boring match.
Let 's see second half

 

That's how she plays in Arsenal as well. Intimidating physical approach is her forte.

 

Penalty Australia

 

Good penalty by Catley. 1:0

 

There is the first

 

Gotta love the fan with the 'Ellie puis-je avoir vos bottes s'il vous plait?' banner. xD

 

Should have let VAR call it, this was as much a dive as it was a foul [emoji1]

 

It was for the home team, so no need to wait for VAR.