The Republic of Ireland Women's team were narrowly beaten by Australia at the Accor Stadium in Sydney today. Matildas midfielder Steph Catley's 52nd-minute spot kick-off was the only goal of the game in a frustrating affair for Vera Pauw's charges.
The Girls in Green created very little in the first-half, where Australia had the lion's share of possession in front of more than 75,000 people. However, their only chance in the opening exchanges came from a Clare Hunt header from a corner.
Ireland created their own chance when Denise O'Sullivan found captain Katie McCabe. McCabe managed to pass the ball over Ellie Carpenter. The ball found an onrushing Kyra Carusa, but she was unable to reach the ball after being beaten to it.
Australia's Hayley Raso would have a header narrowly miss the post, and there was little else to write home about the first half.
A Katrina Gorry free-kick then caused a briefly uncomfortable moment for Courtney Brosan, but Brosnan was able to get the ball away.
At half-time, Australia's shot stats read 5 to Ireland's 1. They also had 64% of the ball in the opening 45 minutes. However, Ireland stood defensively resolute as they had on previous occasions under Vera Pauw.
Gutted 🙁
An incredible effort from the girls in green who deserved at least a point in their opening match 💪
The country is proud of you 💚#COYGIG | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/vJ1Ivw4c2H— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 20, 2023
However, Ireland's game plan went out the window on 51 minutes when Marris Sheva nudged Raso in the back after Kyra Cooney-Cross had swung in a cross from the left. Brazilian ref Edina Alvez awarded the co-hosts the spot-kick. Catley coolly slotted the ball past Brosnan to give the Matildas a 52nd-minute lead in the game.
Ireland sensed that they needed to freshen things up, and with that, Ireland's Lucy Quinn and Abbie Larkin replaced Marissa Sheva and Sinead Farrelly at the hour mark.
The Girls in Green would grow into the game eventually, and it was Australia who were made to sweat in the latter stages. Late efforts from Megan Connolly and Quinn had Irish fans and players' hearts in mouths, but unfortunately, Australia came away with the win in Sydney.
Up next for Ireland is the challenge of current Olympic champions Canada. The game takes place on July 26 and will kick off at 1pm Irish time.
Australia: Mackenzie Arnold; Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Steph Catley (capt); Hayley Raso, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Katrina Gorry, Cortnee Vine (Kyah Simon 75); Mary Fowler (Clare Polkinghorn 85), Caitlin Foord
Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Heather Payne, Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Megan Connolly, Katie McCabe; Ruesha Littlejohn, Denise O'Sullivan; Sinead Farrelly (Abbie Larkin 64), Marissa Sheva (Lucy Quinn 64); Kyra Carusa (Izzy Atkinson 88)
Referee: Edina Alvez (Brazil)
Attendance: 75,784
