Striker has ability to change a game in a moment – that X-factor was missing against Ireland so the Matildas must find it elsewhere
To what extent can the Matildas’ laboured, less than convincing performance against Ireland on Thursday be attributed to the dramatic late omission of striker Sam Kerr due to injury? To borrow from a former Australian prime minister (in a very different context), it does not explain everything, it does not explain nothing – it explains some things.
The Irish, making their Women’s World Cup debut, were always going to pose a challenge. Their physicality and seven-strong defensive block forced the Matildas to create opportunities, rather than rely on fluid counterattacking movement. It is far from clear whether Kerr would have changed that – the Australians were let down by their final touches, just as they were against France where Kerr was a primary culprit.
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