Matildas rocked by loss of injured captain Sam Kerr before kick-offCatley scores only goal of tight game in Sydney from penalty spot
No Kerr, no worries. That was the message from the Matildas on Thursday evening, with a historic win over Ireland in the host’s opening match of the Women’s World Cup.
It was more laboured than expected, Australia struggling to break down a robust Irish defence following the 11th-hour omission of captain Sam Kerr due to a calf injury. But a clinical penalty from stand-in skipper Steph Catley early in the second-half was enough for victory in Sydney.
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