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Tag: defensive duties

  • Aussie’s ‘superb’ shift after recall; substitute’s nightmare cameo: Socceroos Player Ratings

    Aussie’s ‘superb’ shift after recall; substitute’s nightmare cameo: Socceroos Player Ratings

    The Socceroos have been sent crashing out of the Asian Cup in heartbreaking fashion, losing 2-1 to South Korea in extra time.

    It was a defeat as cruel as they come for the Aussies who were only a few minutes away from sealing a spot in the semi finals.

    But it was not to be, as South Korea skipper Heung Min Son stepped up to propel his team to victory.

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    Mat Ryan – 8

    In his first appearance without his protective mask, Socceroos skipper Ryan was colossal.

    Ryan was rarely called into action during the first half but in the second, he made vital saves to keep South Korea at bay.

    He bravely put his body on the line to thwart Lee Jae-Sung in the 78th minute too given he was coming back from a fractured cheekbone.

    Unfortunately there was little the skipper could do to prevent South Korea’s two goals, with one coming from the penalty spot and another being an unstoppable free kick from Son.

    Even after the Socceroos’ hopes had all but vanished, Ryan still popped up with superb stops deep into extra time.

    Nathaniel Atkinson – 6.5

    Had a very difficult task in trying to nullify star winger Hwang Hee Chan, but Atkinson stood up to the task.

    Korea did try and target the space in behind the Aussie right back, yet he remained wary.

    Atkinson’s driving runs forward also provided a vital outlet for the Aussies and it was he who delivered the crucial assist for Goodwin’s goal.

    Came off in the 73rd minute for Lewis Miller.

    Kye Rowles – 7

    An assured performance from Rowles at the heart of defence, rarely putting a foot wrong.

    Operating as the left-sided centre back, Rowles was solid alongside Souttar and distributed the ball well.

    Harry Souttar – 8

    Souttar was once again at his brilliant best throughout, thwarting several South Korean attacks with his gangly legs and snuffing out crosses with excellent blocks.

    Unsurprisingly he made several headed clearances to give the Socceroos some breathing space at the back.

    The Leicester City man ended the game up front as the Socceroos chased the equaliser that never came.

    Had the Aussies made the semi finals, Souttar would have missed it having picked up a booking during first half stoppage time.

    Souttar made countless blocks to deny South Korea. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)Source: AFP

    Aziz Behich – 7

    It was a gutsy performance from Behich who formed a solid partnership with Goodwin on the left.

    Behich delivered an all-action display, flying up the touchline and providing a useful outlet.

    He also performed his defensive duties with aplomb, with one big moment coming in the 51st minute as he made a crucial clearance to deny Korea at the back post while they chased an equaliser.

    Behich put in an incredibly gutsy shift at the back end of the contest as well, defying severe cramp to play until the final whistle.

    Keanu Baccus – 7

    Knowing he’d be tasked with stopping South Korea’s forays into the final third, Baccus had to be on point with every tackle and pass he made.

    The St. Mirren man had a few shaky moments and helped spring Korea’s counter attacks when he lost a handful of individual battles.

    However, Baccus made several crucial interventions to deny Korea’s stars from making the impact some outsiders anticipated they would have made.

    Came off in 70th minute for Aiden O’Neill.

    Jackson Irvine – 8

    He may not have found himself on the scoresheet, but this was one of Irvine’s best games for the Socceroos.

    The St. Pauli man was here, there and everywhere in the middle of the park to break up play and drive the ball forward.

    His passing was on point, switching the play at the perfect time to advance the Socceroos into dangerous positions.

    Even deep into extra time, Irvine showed off plenty of heart to keep running until the final whistle and should be proud of his performance.

    Connor Metcalfe – 6

    Metcalfe wasn’t as anonymous as he had been in the group stage fixtures and helped out his teammates with intelligent positions to present himself as a passing option.

    He had the first shot of the game in the 18th minute but could only drag his effort wide of the post.

    Metcalfe also could and perhaps should have scored the opener for the Socceroos when a rebound from a Craig Goodwin shot fell straight to him, but it was an awkward chance to bury on his weaker foot.

    Came off in the 70th minute for Riley McGree.

    Metcalfe missed a golden chance to give the Aussies the lead. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)Source: AFP

    Martin Boyle – 6

    The industrious Boyle flew up and down the right flank as he largely was forced to help out Atkinson with defensive duties.

    Boyle’s rapid speed was a major aid in helping Australia transition from defence to attack.

    He’ll be frustrated not to have gotten on the scoresheet when a Behich cross found him unmarked at the back post, but Boyle could only direct his header straight at the goalkeeper.

    Even when the rebound fell straight to his feet, he couldn’t find the back of the net.

    Came off in the 87th minute for Cameron Burgess.

    Mitchell Duke – 6.5

    Despite carrying a hamstring injury, Duke managed to play the entire period of regular time but had it not been for his misfires, the Socceroos could have saved themselves an extra 30 minutes of effort.

    Duke volleyed wide over the bar from just a few metres out early in the second but his worst miss was yet to come.

    A cross from Bos on the left took a deflection and popped up into the air, but Duke steered his header wide of an open goal.

    Although he fired a blank in front of goal, Duke’s off-ball work was heroic to the Socceroos’ efforts, constantly chasing lost causes and harassing opposition defenders.

    Came off in 93rd minute for Bruno Fornaroli.

    Craig Goodwin – 9

    There’s a reason why commentator Andy Harper described Goodwin’s showing as “superb” and “one of the great Socceroo performances.”

    The left winger earned a recall to the team after scoring a goal and assisting another in the space of four minutes against Indonesia and he was by far the Aussies’ most dangerous outlet.

    Goodwin fashioned space to fire off a strike that almost led to the Socceroos’ first goal, but Metcalfe fired the rebound wide.

    However, Goodwin would make no mistake when he thumped home a floated cross from Atkinson to hand the Aussies the lead.

    Goodwin also showed off his remarkable engine, tracking back when the Socceroos didn’t have the ball.

    Came off in the 73rd minute for Jordan Bos.

    Goodwin was the Socceroos’ best. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    SUBSTITUTES

    Riley McGree – 5.5

    Came on in 70th minute for Connor Metcalfe.

    McGree had a chance to score Australia’s second when he tried to lob the goalkeeper with a first time effort, but it went over the bar.

    That was perhaps McGree’s most notable contribution to the game as he struggled to find the pockets of space in which he has been so dangerous previously for the Aussies.

    McGree did show some needed hustle during extra time, using his pace to help track back and defend for the Aussies despite being a goal down.

    Aiden O’Neill – 4

    Came on in 70th minute for Keanu Baccus.

    O’Neill looked solid at first when replacing Baccus, but things quickly unravelled in extra time as he had a yellow card upgraded to a red in extra time for a nasty challenge on Hwang Hee Chan.

    Lewis Miller – 2

    Came on in 73rd minute for Nathaniel Atkinson.

    Miller earned the ire of many when deep in second half stoppage time, he decided to go to ground in an effort to win the ball off of Heung Min Son.

    However, Miller collected none of the ball and all of the man, giving the referee an easy decision to award a penalty which Hwang Hee Chan converted.

    Miller’s second brainfade ultimately led to the winner as he fouled Chan on the edge of the box, leading to a free kick for South Korea.

    Son made no mistake with the set piece and compounded Miller’s woes even further.

    Jordan Bos – 6

    Came on in 73rd minute for Craig Goodwin.

    Bos made important clearances not long after entering the contest as the Aussies looked to clear their lines.

    He should have had an assist late in the second half, but Duke fired his header from Bos’ cross wide.

    Bos ended up having to play a dual role as the left winger and left back when Behich struggled badly with cramp.

    The former Melbourne City man desperately tried to link up play with his teammates but it was to little avail.

    Cameron Burgess – 5

    Came on in 87th minute for Martin Boyle.

    Thrown on late with the pure intention of keeping South Korea out, there was little Burgess could do when Miller brought down Son.

    He remained at centre back in extra time as Souttar got thrown forward, but the Ipswich Town star soon joined the towering defender up top in a desperate late gamble from Arnold.

    Bruno Fornaroli – N/A

    Came on in 93rd minute for Mitchell Duke.

    As much as Fornaroli tried to find his feet in the game, he ultimately had little impact as the 10-man Socceroos chased an equaliser.

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  • Socceroos’ not-so-secret ‘cheat code’ in Asian Cup bid amid big concern

    Socceroos’ not-so-secret ‘cheat code’ in Asian Cup bid amid big concern

    The Socceroos on Saturday will kick off an Asian Cup campaign they believe can deliver the team’s second-ever title – but their warm-up win over Bahrain proves they still have to address a worrying issue.

    The Socceroos laboured past a physical and defensive-minded Bahrain, ranked 12th among Asian confederation teams, struggling to break down a low block in defence that stifled Australia’s creativity and attacking output.

    But Australia emerged 2-0 victors thanks to an own goal from a Craig Goodwin cross before veteran striker Mitchell Duke nodded home from close range after a cross was directed back across goal by Goodwin.

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    After 2023’s schedule was dominated by tough friendlies against attacking opposition, such as world champions Argentina, England, and Mexico, playing against a team dedicated to sitting deep in defence and hitting on the counter was a crucial learning experience.

    “For us, I think, for us, it’s the perfect fixture to have before the Asian Cup,” coach Graham Arnold said. “You know, when we play against these types of nations, they sit back. Most nations we played against in the last twelve months haven’t really done that.

    “I think, you know, they’re a strong nation that’s getting stronger, and like a lot of the Middle Eastern nations, physically, they were quite bigger than what we expected.”

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    For years, the Socceroos have laboured against teams that sit deep in defence, lacking creativity or incisive passing in the final third to break down packed defences.

    Scoring goals is arguably the biggest weakness in this Socceroos squad entering the tournament.

    Consider this: just seven of the Socceroos 26-man squad have scored for the national team, contributing a combined total of 36 goals.

    Group rivals Uzbekistan have 12 different international scorers with 55 combined goals in their squad, while first opponents India have an all-time great in captain Sunil Chhetri, who boasts 93 goals by himself. That’s fourth-highest on the all-time international scoring charts behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Ali Daei of Iran, and Lionel Messi.

    Australia managed just three shots on target against Bahrain, but Arnold is confident that his team took the right lessons out of the match.

    “You know, it’s very, very hard to train players against that type of opposition in that until you do it real.

    “You saw that we were getting better and better as the game went on, breaking them down, but also making sure that we weren’t hit on the counter-attack, which they liked to do … So, as I said, it was probably the perfect fixture to have before we go into this Asian Cup. No doubt, we’ll get quite a number of teams playing like [Bahrain] as well.”

    There have been some positive signs in the Socceroos’ recent matches – two World Cup qualifying wins over Bangladesh (7-0) and Palestine (1-0) in November, before the Bahrain game on Sunday.

    Chief among those has been the form of Mitch Duke, who has scored three in as many games, while winger Goodwin has assisted in each of the trio of matches.

    Duke echoed Arnold’s thoughts after the Bahrain game, but promised Australia ‘can be better’ at breaking teams down in the Asian Cup.

    “I think we had a bit of a test of everything in that game and we got to learn how to deal with each experience. During the game when they sit in back in the block, not to get frustrated, and open them up and shift the ball side to side and know how to break teams down,” he said.

    “We’re going to expect that in the Asian Cup with some Asian teams that we’ll be playing against. And they’re probably just going to try and get us on the counter.

    “We can be better at that for sure. Finding pockets and maybe being a bit more ruthless as well, like when we’re in crossing areas, maybe to hit the ball in more and put it into dangerous areas.”

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    It’s clear that effectiveness in the final third against the low block has been a focus for Arnold in improving this team, which is at its best against teams that press high and allow the Socceroos to play in transition.

    But it’s still a work in progress, as the Bahrain game attested. The Socceroos were often ponderous in possession in dangerous areas, with Arnold urging them to play faster and stretch defences.

    Goodwin said: “There’s going to be a lot of times, I think, especially in the group stage where we might dominate possession, and we need to be patient, and at times, you know, have to move the ball around a lot more and just be patient for those opportunities.”

    “I think it’s something that we’ve started to work on,” he said.

    “That combination football in the final third, and obviously coming into this Asian Cup, we’re going to have a lot more of the ball. So we need to be very good in those areas. Be patient and be decisive.”

    Mitchell Duke is the top scorer among current Socceroos, and he’s got three in his last three games.Source: News Corp Australia

    Luckily for the Socceroos, as the tournament progresses they are more likely to come up against teams willing to play a more possession-based approach.

    That could create more opportunities for the Socceroos in attack.

    In the early stages of the tournament, however, they will need to sharpen up offensively.

    But in a promising sign, right-back Gethin Jones showed plenty of promise on debut, bombing up the right flank as he habitually does for Bolton Wanderers.

    For Australia’s second goal against Bahrain, Jones cantered into space and drew three defenders, which opened up the defence and created Duke’s scoring chance.

    Jones said: “What we do here is exactly the same as Bolton – attacking football.

    “Arnold told me that when the ball is on the left side and the space on the right in front of me, I need to just make those runs, and I’ll get the space.”

    “When I get in the wide areas, I try and get as many crosses into the box while obviously doing my defensive duties as well.”

    But if the Socceroos are struggling to score from open play, at least they have a not-so-secret weapon: height.

    Centre-back Harry Souttar, listed by the AFC at 200cm and 101kg (other sources claim 198cm), is a man mountain – and he uses that heft from corners and wide free kicks to head home plenty of goals.

    He now boasts 10 goals from 22 appearances in the green and gold, which is remarkably second-most in the team behind Duke’s 12 in 33.

    Harry Souttar’s height advantage has turned him into a set piece beast.Source: AFP

    But the crosses from the likes of Goodwin and Riley McGree – and Australia’s clear height advantage – could be the primary path to goal this tournament.

    Besides Souttar, the Socceroos squad includes defenders Cameron Burgess at 1.94m, Lewis Miller at 1.87m, and Kye Rowles at 1.85m. In midfield, Jackson Irvine is 1.89m tall.

    In attack, recent debutant Kusini Yengi is 1.89m, potential debutant John Iredale is 1.88m, and veteran forward Mitchell Duke 1.87m.

    All eight of those players are taller than any of India’s outfielders, while Australia’s eight players at 1.85m or taller is more than Syria (four) and Uzbekistan (five). The latter two opponents both have 1.90m strikers – but that’s still comfortably shorter than Souttar and Burgess.

    So dangerous is the combination of Souttar and Burgess at set pieces, that the pair were marked by two defenders each by Bangladesh at times – and even that didn’t stop Souttar from scoring from a Goodwin corner, just as he did against Palestine.

    Cameron Burgess and Harry Souttar were double-marked by Bangladesh.Source: Channel 10

    Bangladesh coach Javier Fernandez Cabrera demonstrated just how much rival teams respect Australia’s skill at set pieces, when he declared before that match: “For us, Australia as a whole is definitely one of the best teams in Asia and one of the best teams in the world.

    “When we talk about set plays, probably if not the best, it’s top five in the world, no doubt.”

    Australia coach Graham Arnold told Channel 10 after the Palestine game: “Set pieces are crucial, especially when you’ve got someone of Harry Souttar’s size, height.

    “Then the delivery’s important and Craig Goodwin’s delivery on that corner was fantastic.”

    Or there was Mitch Duke, who summed up Souttar even better: “To be fair, on set pieces he seems to be a bit of a cheat code.”

    Chasing just a second Asian title after the Socceroos sealed success on home soil in 2015, it could be the key to fixing Australia’s struggles in front of goal.

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  • Debutant’s ‘first class’ showing, supersub shines against Kiwis: Player Ratings

    Debutant’s ‘first class’ showing, supersub shines against Kiwis: Player Ratings

    The Socceroos have secured the Soccer Ashes with a dominant 2-0 win over New Zealand in London.

    Aussie boss Graham Arnold made five changes to his lineup which included a welcome recall for Massimo Luongo as hyped defender Alessandro Circati made his Socceroos debut.

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    DEFENCE

    Mat Ryan: 7

    The skipper was rarely troubled throughout but made crucial saves when he needed to, pulling off a brilliant save low to his right in the 30th minute to deny Chris Wood.

    Ryan’s distribution was equally impressive as well, helping to kickstart attacks or keep the ball.

    Aziz Behich: 6

    Behich provided plenty of energy and looked to get forward as much as possible down that left flank.

    Had an interesting dynamic playing behind Bos, who’s predominantly a left-back himself, but Behich still did plenty to keep New Zealand’s right side in check.

    Harry Souttar: 7.5

    Once again an impressive performance from the towering defender.

    Got on the scoresheet — albeit in contentious fashion — and helped the Aussies keep a clean sheet by nullifying a Premier League striker in Chris Wood.

    Did have a few careless moments in possession, but otherwise another dependable performance at the back from the Leicester City man.

    Souttar thought he scored the opener. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Alessandro Circati: 8

    Trying to keep Wood quiet is no easy task, let alone in a Socceroos debut, but Alessandro Circati was immense.

    The youngster looked calm and composed with the ball at his feet and did his defensive duties perfectly.

    His centre-back partner Souttar thought Circati was “first class” and felt the youngster had a “bright future” give how well he played, while Arnold said he “looked like he’d already played 30 or 40 caps.”

    It’s hard to disagree.

    Lewis Miller: 6

    Miller earned a starting berth at right back and although he endured a bit of a shaky start, the Hibernian man grew into the contest.

    He whipped in the cross that led to the opening goal and was involved in some tidy passages of play in the final third, but only got one half of football before he was taken off for Ryan Strain at the break.

    MIDFIELD

    Keanu Baccus: 5

    Baccus had a bit of a mixed bag when it came to his performance.

    He always looked to help take the ball off of defenders and move it around the field, but was sometimes guilty of gifting the ball away in dangerous areas.

    Baccus also made a number of crucial tackles yet also gave away some careless fouls in dangerous areas.

    Not his finest performance, but he’s definitely proven he belongs at the base of the Socceroos’ midfield.

    Massimo Luongo: 7

    You could see as early as the national anthems what this recall to the Socceroos meant for Luongo, as he couldn’t wipe the smile from his face.

    He most certainly carried over his impressive club form for Ipswich Town onto the international stage and looked lively across all areas of the field.

    His eagerness got the better of him at times when he held onto the ball for too long, yet Luongo has certainly made the case for keeping his place in the next international window.

    Luongo performed well in his first Socceroos appearance in five years. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Jordan Bos: 6

    Bos’ attacking qualities are no secret as a left-back, but he didn’t exactly have his best game as a left winger.

    He was often tasked with set pieces but his deliveries didn’t quite hit the mark, although he almost had a goal when he cut inside and unleashed a curling effort with his right foot that was well-saved.

    Bos can definitely do a job at left wing if needed, such is his boundless energy.

    But just as Luke Wilkshire and Alex Brosque pointed out, the youngster is best served as a left-back going forward.

    Martin Boyle: 7

    The man simply cannot stop running.

    Boyle was once again full of energy down the right wing, chasing lost causes and burning opposition defenders with his electric pace.

    Also notched a late assist when his corner found Jackson Irvine at the back post for the second goal.

    ATTACK

    Connor Metcalfe: 7

    Metcalfe seemed to be given free licence to roam in the final third as he popped up in all areas of the field.

    It certainly troubled the Kiwi defenders and midfielders who struggled to lock him down.

    He’ll be kicking himself for missing a golden chance in the first half when Luongo slipped him through on goal and had his effort well saved by the All Whites goalkeeper.

    Mitchell Duke: 6

    He had a goal, then he didn’t, then he finally did.

    Duke scored the Socceroos’ first goal but his volley took the slightest of deflections off of Souttar, yet it was the former who was eventually credited with the opener.

    Aside from his goal though, it was another showing from Duke where his work off the ball was perhaps more notable than what he did on it.

    Duke’s volley opened the Socceroos’ account in London. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    SUBS

    Ryan Strain: 6

    Came on in the 46th minute for Lewis Miller.

    Had a difficult chance to double Australia’s advantage when he sidefooted a high ball wide of goal from range.

    Strain looked to get forward as much as possible but didn’t quite find the rhythm he’d have liked in the 45 minutes he spent on the field.

    Craig Goodwin: 7

    Came on in the 66th minute for Jordan Bos.

    Goodwin immediately made an impact at left wing, exploiting the acres of space he often found himself in and tracked back well.

    You almost felt that the Socceroos were going to score whenever he had the ball as Goodwin continues to cement his spot as the Aussies’ first choice at left wing.

    Brandon Borrello: 7

    Came on in the 66th minute for Mitchell Duke.

    Borrello zipped around the field like a madman as he looked to make his case for inclusion in future windows.

    His eagerness got the better of him on a handful of occasions as he was flagged offside, but the intent was certainly there from the Wanderers ace.

    However, Borrello will rue a golden opportunity as he missed an open goal to score the Socceroos’ third.

    Jackson Irvine: 8

    Came on in the 66th minute for Massimo Luongo.

    Irvine was the true game-changer for the Socceroos when he came on, making driving runs from midfield and getting back to do his defensive duties.

    The St Pauli midfielder was especially dangerous on the transition as he helped spark attacks with his passing.

    He capped off a strong showing with a goal from a Martin Boyle corner just 10 minutes after coming on.

    Aiden O’Neill: N/A

    Came on in the 81st minute for Connor Metcalfe.

    Sammy Silvera: N/A

    Came on in the 82nd minute for Martin Boyle.

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  • Star winger’s set pieces stun as club teammates prove their worth against Poms: Roos Player Ratings

    Star winger’s set pieces stun as club teammates prove their worth against Poms: Roos Player Ratings

    The Socceroos put in a spirited display but it wasn’t to be, falling to a 1-0 defeat to England at Wembley Stadium in London.

    Not one single player in the green and gold could be disappointed with their performance, as everyone worked tremendously hard to replicate the same feat of the 2003 squad that famously beat England 3-1.

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    Mat Ryan: 6.5

    On a greasy surface, he was forced to show his skills with the ball at his feet perhaps more than he’d like, with plenty of back-passes coming his way – including an utterly atrocious one from Cameron Burgess. But Ryan was exceptional with his distribution despite the conditions. He consistently read the long ball well as England sprayed it forwards, and cleared the danger with his sharp movement. He did just about well enough when one-on-one with Ollie Watkins in the first half, forcing the striker wide – with Watkins only managing to hit the post from a tight angle after rounding Ryan.

    There wasn’t much he could do when Watkins slid home to convert Jack Grealish’s driven cross and was rarely called into action throughout the game.

    Kye Rowles: 6

    For the second consecutive match in the green and gold, the centre-back was asked to play on the left side of the backline, and there were early concerns when England’s attack danced around him to create the first proper chance of the game inside ten minutes. But after being badly exposed in that incident, he settled into the match well and battled hard against the likes of Bowen. Never shying away from a tackle, he was left bloodied and needing treatment after an early head clash, but played on sporting a large bandage. He came close to scoring but snatched at a volley from close range after a first-half corner.

    Cameron Burgess: 5.5

    The hard-nosed centre-back showed his toughness after copping a brutal tackle to the shins after 20 minutes – for which the Australian was somehow penalised. There was incredibly nervous moment in the 25th minute when a miscommunication with Ryan saw Burgess play a waist-high backpass from a tight angle inside his own penalty area – forcing Ryan into a desperate clearance inside the six-yard box. Unfortunately he was caught napping at a critical moment as he failed to block Jack Grealish’s cross which was converted by Ollie Watkins.

    Burgess switched off at a crucial moment. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP

    Harry Souttar: 7

    Things might not be going exactly how he would have imagined at club level, but it was a stirring return to form for Souttar, who was imperious in defence. He was caught out for pace once or twice by England’s well-timed runs behind the line, but his defensive work to recover his ground was exceptional, highlighted by an exceptional last-ditch tackle just before the halftime whistle that – had he mistimed it – would certainly have been a penalty.

    Ryan Strain: 7

    A strong display from the St Mirren right back in his first Socceroos start.

    He picked up an early booking for a cynical foul on Jack Grealish, but Strain didn’t waver from his defensive duties and continued to make several important challenges throughout.

    Strain could’ve — and should’ve — opened the scoring when he made a lung-bursting run into the box to receive the ball from Martin Boyle, but his effort was cleared off the line by Lewis Dunk.

    Ultimately did an exceptional job at keeping Grealish, a £100m superstar, quiet for the majority of the evening.

    Jackson Irvine: 6

    The fact Irvine recovered so quickly after suffering a torn lateral ligament in the Socceroos’ friendly against Mexico is a minor miracle in itself.

    But the midfielder rarely looked like he was making a comeback from injury in an all-action display.

    Irvine didn’t get on the ball as much as he perhaps would have liked as his primary focus was on shutting down England’s star-studded midfield.

    Keanu Baccus: 8

    Baccus didn’t shirk a challenge at all throughout his time on the field and even shirtfronted England defender Levi Colwill.

    The physical battle aside, Baccus showcased his brilliant technical ability as he constantly found ways to wriggle out of tight spaces to keep the passage of play ticking over.

    Baccus also pinged a beautiful ball in the path of Martin Boyle late in the first half which almost led to a goal, but it was not to be.

    Baccus came close to breaking the deadlock in the first half. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)Source: AFP

    Connor Metcalfe: 6

    Having played largely as a winger for club side FC St Pauli, Metcalfe slotted in as a second striker in support of Mitchell Duke.

    Unfortunately he didn’t get as many clean breaks on goal and had to use up a significant amount of energy trying to chase down England’s backline.

    Metcalfe came agonisingly close to a late equaliser but his header smacked against the post.

    Was subbed off in the 90th minute for Mohamed Toure.

    Craig Goodwin: 7.5

    The winger gave England plenty of headaches with his dribbling and willingness to drive forward from the left flank.

    His set-piece delivery was also outstanding and could – or should – have been rewarded with a goal.

    Aside from his quality on set pieces, Goodwin pulled out plenty of flicks and tricks to help break England open as he carried his club form for Al-Wehda into the international arena.

    Got a well-deserved breather when he came off in the 73rd minute for Brandon Borrello.

    Martin Boyle: 6.5

    Boyle’s electric pace was a constant threat on the counter attack and the Aussies most certainly looked to use it by playing long balls over the top in his path.

    Even if he wasn’t coming close to getting to the ball, Boyle showcased his grit by chasing down everything.

    The Hibernian flyer carved out the Socceroos’ best opening of the game when he latched onto a long ball from Baccus and slipped in Ryan Strain, who was denied on the line by a last-ditch block.

    Mitchell Duke: 5

    Duke flashed wide with a thumping volley early in the first half, and that was the only look at goal he really got.

    He had the thankless task of challenging for every ball lumped forward and pressing England’s defence and although Duke has bundles of energy, his legs could only keep up the energy for so long.

    His defensive work came at a cost as he wasn’t as effective as he would’ve liked going forward.

    Duke had a thumping volley fly just wide of the post. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP

    SUBS

    Jordan Bos: 5

    Came on for Mitchell Duke in the 73rd minute.

    Normally a left back, Bos was deployed high up the field for the final 20 minutes in an interesting tactic from Arnold.

    Bos was confident on the ball but didn’t have the one-on-one skills to take on his marker.

    Brandon Borrello: 5

    Came on for Craig Goodwin in the 73rd minute.

    Was largely anonymous as the Aussies tried to find an opening.

    Awer Mabil: 6

    Came on for Martin Boyle in the 83rd minute.

    Mabil’s biggest moment came when he tracked back and made a crucial block in the dying minutes of the game, although he looked lively and attempted to make something happen in the final third.

    Aziz Behich: 6

    Came on for Kye Rowles in the 83rd minute.

    Behich didn’t make much happen offensively, but he was cool under pressure as the last defender on corners.

    He was comfortable when England countered from corners and made an important challenge to prevent the hosts from adding another goal late in the contest.

    Lewis Miller: 5

    Came on for Ryan Strain in the 73rd minute.

    Made his Socceroos debut but didn’t quite have the same industry as Strain did, although it’s difficult to make a big impact as a defender coming on with 20 minutes of action left.

    Mohamed Toure: N/A

    Came on for Connor Metcalfe in the 90th minute.

    A pleasing moment for the 19-year-old as he made his Socceroos debut, although he had little time to make an impact on the contest.

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  • Valiant Kerr act not enough as star bounces back after costly error: Matildas Player Ratings

    Valiant Kerr act not enough as star bounces back after costly error: Matildas Player Ratings

    The Matildas unfortunately ran out of steam as they went down 2-0 to Sweden in the third place playoff at Brisbane Stadium.

    Tony Gustavsson opted to name an unchanged lineup against Sweden and although they put in a valiant effort against the European side, it was evident they were physically spent.

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    Mackenzie Arnold – 7

    Was called into action within the opening 60 seconds to deny Blackstenius from close range, getting down low to her right to pull off an impressive save.

    Arnold also came agonisingly close to keeping Rolfo’s penalty out as she guessed the right way but just couldn’t get a fingertip on the ball.

    She also got a hand to Asllani’s goal yet it wasn’t strong enough to keep it out of the net.

    Made some key claims off crosses and did well to keep the scoreline down to just two goals as Sweden constantly hit the Aussies on the transition.

    Steph Catley – 5.5

    The toll of getting up and down the left side seemingly took its toll on the vice-captain.

    Catley had a couple of sloppy passes at the beginning that allowed Sweden to pile on the pressure.

    However, she made up for those with some vital interventions throughout and did extremely well to put in a sliding challenge late in the game, highlighting her never-say-die attitude.

    Clare Polkinghorne – 5

    The veteran defender was caught napping at the back on a handful of occasions and her lack of pace proved harmful at times.

    However, her physical presence was vital and she won a number of clearing headers.

    Substituted off in the 73rd minute for Courtney Nevin.

    Clare Hunt – 6.5

    Hunt had a costly loss of concentration when she clipped Blackstenius in the box, although some may argue it was a penalty on the softer side of things.

    However, the defender was outstanding in several other moments throughout, producing last-ditch tackles or closing down Sweden’s attackers before calmly distributing the ball.

    There was little she could do for the last goal as a swarm of yellow shirts came running towards her.

    Clare Hunt displayed poise at the back except for a costly penalty. (Photo by Patrick Hamilton / AFP)Source: AFP

    Ellie Carpenter – 6

    After a disappointing night against England, Carpenter bounced back and put in an impressive shift against Sweden.

    She enjoyed plenty of trademark runs down the right but also did well to hold her run and put her defensive duties first.

    It still wasn’t close to what we know Carpenter is capable of, but it was definitely an improved performance from the semi final.

    Came off in the 73rd minute for Alex Chidiac.

    Katrina Gorry – 5.5

    Got into a brief push-and-shove with Sweden skipper Kosovare Asllani which was her main highlight of the first half.

    Was perhaps a little guilty of holding onto the ball for too long and diving into tackles needlessly, allowing Swedish players to easily get past her.

    But ‘Mini’ still showed plenty of bite in the midfield and led the team with four tackles.

    Substituted off in the 60th minute for Emily van Egmond.

    Kyra Cooney-Cross – 6.5

    The silky midfielder looked the goods once again, bursting past her marker and into space before passing the ball.

    But she was once again tasked with covering perhaps too much space and was overran by Sweden on the counter-attack which isn’t exactly her fault.

    Overall, it was another gusty display from the 21-year-old who has no doubt earned plenty of admirers overseas.

    Cooney-Cross was never afraid to put a challenge in. (Photo by Patrick Hamilton / AFP)Source: AFP

    Mary Fowler – 6

    Fowler truly is a joy to watch with the ball at her feet.

    Her control of the ball is unlike any other in the Matildas team and it came in clutch on multiple occasions, dribbling her way through yellow shirts in positions when it seemed impossible.

    But it also came at a cost, as Sweden would break rapidly after snatching the ball off Fowler.

    She was forced to drop deeper and deeper to pick up the ball but it also resulted in her having to make several defensive plays, not an ideal scenario for the Matildas’ attacking midfielder.

    Having run absurd amounts in the previous games, it was evident Fowler was knackered towards the end.

    Caitlin Foord – 5

    The Arsenal forward sadly didn’t look as dominant out on the left as she usually has at this tournament.

    Again, Foord would drive at her opposite number in Nathalie Bjorn before looking to cut inside, but those opportunities came few and far between.

    Hayley Raso – 6

    The ribbon-wearing winger was relentless going up and down the right flank and even the left side too for a brief period in the first half.

    Raso also had the Matildas’ best chance in the first half when she brought down a cross from Ellie Carpenter and tried to squeeze it past Zecira Musovic at her near post but was denied.

    Substituted off at the hour mark for Cortnee Vine.

    Sam Kerr – 5

    Kerr zipped around the field and didn’t look like she was hampered by any lingering effects of her calf injury.

    Sadly for the Aussie skipper, the rest of her teammates didn’t possess her freshness.

    Although Kerr had some solid touches to link up play with her teammates, she struggled to get properly involved and her role slowly diminished the longer the game went on.

    Went down midway through the second half clutching at her calf and had to briefly go off, but showed plenty of character to return to the field and see out the game for her nation.

    Kerr’s calf flared up towards the end. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    SUBSTITUTES

    Cortnee Vine – 5

    Came on for Hayley Raso in the 60th minute.

    The red-headed speedster entered the contest just before Sweden added their second goal of the game.

    Vine had a handful of successful moments getting past the Swedish backline but her role seemed to transform into a wing-back as it appeared the Aussies went to three in defence.

    The change in role practically prevented Vine from using her most devastating qualities where she is most dangerous.

    Emily van Egmond – 5

    Came on for Katrina Gorry in the 60th minute.

    Van Egmond was added to provide some extra attacking spark but ended up playing too deep, meaning she was too often tasked with trying to unlock a low Swedish block.

    Alex Chidiac – 5

    Came on for Ellie Carpenter in the 73rd minute.

    Chidiac had a tough role given she came on when the team was 2-0 down.

    It never looked like Chidiac had a structured role in the time she was on as the Matildas chased the game.

    Courtney Nevin – 5

    Came on for Clare Polkinghorne in the 73rd minute.

    Nevin was thrown on for her first minutes of the tournament and seemingly played several different roles across the backline.

    Didn’t exactly make much of an impact but can take solace that no goals were conceded after she came on.

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  • How Kerr’s shock injury added ‘fire’ to Tillies; boss hails new-found ‘maturity’: Talking Pts

    How Kerr’s shock injury added ‘fire’ to Tillies; boss hails new-found ‘maturity’: Talking Pts

    The Matildas faced an uphill task as soon as they found out Sam Kerr would be absent from their opening Women’s World Cup fixture against Ireland.

    But Tony Gustavsson’s troops displayed a steely side that helped them get the better of a feisty Irish outfit in a gritty 1-0 victory.

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    Without Kerr up front, it meant the attack would have to find a new way to get the desired result but it was far from pretty.

    However Gustavsson was quick to point out that in tournament football, three points is as valuable as anything as the Matildas now gear up for their second Group B fixture against Nigeria on July 27.

    Foxsports.com.au analyses the big moments from the Matildas’ World Cup opener in TALKING POINTS!

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    MATILDAS MOTIVATED BY KERR INJURY

    The Matildas have plenty of motivation. There’s the chance to make history – not just to go beyond the quarterfinals for the first time ever, but to win a maiden Cup. And to do it on home soil too. It’s a chance to deliver their own ‘Cathy Freeman moment’ and a lasting legacy on the Australian sporting landscape.

    But the injury to captain Sam Kerr only adds another level of motivation for the Matildas, who were honest about the emotional impact of losing their talisman.

    Steph Catley said: “I think it was probably one of the most heartbreaking moments of my career. Sam’s one of the best players in the world. She’s our spiritual leader and she means so much to this team.

    “So to have her go down a day before a moment like this was pretty awful, but I think as a team it added something to us, added a fire and a little bit of extra fight. I think everyone looked up and said ‘Well I’ve got to step up now because we don’t have Sam.’”

    Kerr missed out on the Matildas’ opening fixture due to a calf injury. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)Source: AFP

    Midfield maestro Katrina Gorry said: “It doesn’t matter who goes down, we know that everyone can step up and play an important role in our team. And I think, losing Sammy gives us an extra bit of fire to keep on winning, to keep on putting our best foot forward, and to keep on playing well for her.”

    Ellie Carpenter said: “It was heartbreaking for Sam, and also for myself and the whole team. She was with us the whole game and we did this win for her. She’ll be back soon.”

    The Matildas aren’t just playing for the record-breaking crowds in the stadium, for the nation as a whole and for the generations of young women they are inspiring. They’re doing it for their spiritual leader – and judging from her involvement in the pre-game huddle, her words of support from the sidelines or at halftime, Kerr will still play a key role regardless of whether she is on the pitch.

    Despite being unable to play, Kerr still had an important role. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    KERR-SIZED HOLE IN ATTACK UNABLE TO BE FILLED

    As soon as news filtered through Sam Kerr would be absent from the Matildas’ first two games with a calf injury, discussion immediately turned to how the team would fare in attack.

    After all, Kerr is the talismanic striker who can score a goal out of nothing and is also the leader of the team on the field.

    She had developed a lethal one-two punch alongside Caitlin Foord in a two-pronged attack up top, but with Kerr out, it meant Gustavsson had a big decision to face.

    Would he opt for Foord as the lone striker and go with Cortnee Vine and Hayley Raso on the wings in front of a three-player midfield?

    Or would Gustavsson opt for a direct Kerr replacement and stick with his trusted 4-4-2 formation?

    The Swede would turn to the second approach, thrusting 20-year-old star Mary Fowler into the starting team in place of the injured skipper.

    However, Fowler and Foord never quite looked in sync up top.

    Foord relentlessly charged across the final third in chase of the ball and was full of energy, but she never quite got the clear cut chances she was after.

    As for Fowler, she constantly had to drop deep just to pick up the ball and although she had some nice touches to sprint away from her marker, she struggled when it came to the final phase.

    Fowler battled hard in attack for the Matildas. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Vine and Raso also battled to make their mark in the contest, although the latter won the penalty which ultimately led to the only goal of the game.

    All up, the Matildas had 13 shots with just two on target: the penalty from Steph Catley and midfielder Katrina Gorry’s ambitious attempt from 30 yards out.

    Despite the hosts’ blunt attack, Gustavsson was not terribly concerned but admitted he knows his side is certainly capable of much, much more going forward.

    “I don’t want to overanalyse this in the sense that it was the absence of Sam, it was Ireland’s defending,” Gustavsson said in the post-match press conference.

    “We know we can do better in attack. We showed it in parts of the attack when we had some good combination play down the right side, we isolated Vine one-on-one on the left side a couple of times.

    “In the beginning of the second half, we played faster and had more movement off the ball.”

    Gustavsson also pointed to a sense of first-game jitters in front of a record crowd as another reason behind the Matildas’ attacking issues, but feels that the team can kick on after the initial hurdle.

    With Kerr set to miss the Nigeria fixture in Brisbane on July 27 before being reassessed for the Canada clash on July 31, it remains to be seen if Gustavsson places faith in Fowler once again.

    Of course, replacing the youngster means it’s a second strike partner in as many games for Foord which could be detrimental, especially in tournament football.

    Foord will no doubt reprise her role for the Matildas’ fixture against Nigeria. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    MATILDAS KEEP CALM AS KEY FLAW ADDRESSED

    The biggest ever crowd for a women’s football game in Australia and the first ever World Cup in the Southern Hemisphere. Wednesday night was a milestone moment for the sport – and more pressure than ever on the Matildas to succeed on home soil.

    The emotion was clear on the faces of the Australian players from the moment they walked out to the roar of over 75,000 fans.

    Ellie Carpenter said: “Walking out, it’s more than a game – it was an occasion tonight. It was very emotional, seeing the anthem and then hearing 80,000 people sing it with you. Such a special moment, one that I’ll remember forever.”

    Katrina Gorry said: “I think singing the national anthem, you know, with 75,000 people, it was pretty special for all of us. I think a few of us had tears in our eyes. And I think it just reflects on our career and how special this time is.”

    And Steph Catley said: “We’ve never played to this type of occasion before. I think the build-up was incredible – we’ve never felt or seen anything like it.”

    With five of the XI Australian players making their World Cup debuts, the Matildas could very easily have lost their heads – especially as the match wore on and the resilient Irish defence stifled the Australian attacks time and again.

    Clare Hunt was one of five players making their World Cup debuts. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)Source: AFP

    Indeed, remaining calm and composed in big occasions has proved a major problem for the team in the past – most particularly in the 2022 Asian Cup when the Matildas were favourites to go all the way but fell apart under pressure in an early knockout defeat to South Korea.

    Steph Catley “I think we had a few nervy moments which is natural – this is the biggest moment of a lot of our careers. We expected some nervy sloppy moments and we had them but to get over the line, to keep a clean sheet, to fight the way we did, I think it sets us up really well for the tournament.”

    Tony Gustavsson said in his post-match press conference: “We spent a lot of time throughout these two years talking about tournament football and game management and playing what the game needs at that moment.

    “Yeah, it wasn’t the greatest game of football, right? It wasn’t the fantastic attacking team that we can see. But it’s a team that knows how to win a game and find a way to win a game and do what’s needed in that moment, and that’s what I’m most impressed with from the players tonight.”

    “I’ve been around in tournament football long enough to know that sometimes it’s those games where you just need to grind through and find a way to win.

    “That shows a maturity in this team. Being able to do it with five debutants that could have got really nervous and shaky and be frustrated that we didn’t play good enough and lose their heads.”

    The Matildas made mistakes and were sloppy on the ball at times – but for a team full of World Cup debutants, and missing their captain and leader, it was remarkable how calm they remained under pressure.

    Gustavsson was most impressed with how the Matildas found a way to grind out a win. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    FIERY BATTLE PROVES TILLIES ARE MORE THAN UP FOR THE FIGHT

    Before a ball was even kicked, Matildas and Ireland fans were salivating at one battle set to play out in epic fashion on the field: Hayley Raso v Katie McCabe.

    Raso, the diminutive right winger for the Matildas, is full of pace and has proved to be a constant thorn in the side of opposition left-backs over the years.

    But McCabe, one of WSL heavyweights Arsenal’s finest, was more than up to the task.

    Neither Raso or the Irish skipper took a backwards step throughout a feisty contest in which a total of 21 fouls were awarded, 12 against Australia and nine against Ireland.

    The pair flung themselves into several crunching challenges, highlighting the lengths they would go to for their nations.

    McCabe, operating as the left wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation for the World Cup debutants, kept Raso in check for her defensive duties as the Arsenal star looked to fly forward time and time again.

    Both Raso and McCabe were momentarily injured in separate challenges with one another; Raso went down clutching her knee after a crunching tackle while McCabe hurt her wrist when she fall awkwardly after a clearance.

    The duo’s intense battle set the standard for their teammates, with Ireland defender Niamh Fahey bumping into Matildas star Katrina Gorry in the second half.

    When Ireland poured green shirts forward in attack, the Matildas’ backline also showed they were up for the fight and repelled their Group B rivals in the box time and time again.

    The fiery nature of the opening game certainly showed this crop of Aussies are more than up for the fight, no matter the rival.

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  • Tillies star’s masterclass amid Irish onslaught; forwards fail to fire in Kerr’s absence: Player Ratings

    Tillies star’s masterclass amid Irish onslaught; forwards fail to fire in Kerr’s absence: Player Ratings

    It wasn’t a performance to write home about, but the Matildas have kicked off their Women’s World Cup campaign with a gritty 1-0 victory over Ireland.

    Captain Steph Catley’s strike from the penalty spot was all that separated the two sides in a feisty contest played out in front of a record crowd of 75,784 at Stadium Australia.

    There were a number of standouts across the Matildas team, with one player in particular coming to life in the second half to help secure the clean sheet.

    But the attacking stars battled to perform in the absence of talismanic striker Sam Kerr, albeit the players only found out about her injury only hours before the contest.

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    The Matildas’ Women’s World Cup campaign is off to the perfect start. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

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    Mackenzie Arnold – 8.5

    Arnold was rarely called into action in the first half, needing to make just one save in which she parried a cross to safety.

    But she was critical to preserving the Matildas’ clean sheet, plucking countless crosses out of the air and clearing balls to safety.

    Arnold also showed plenty of tactical nous in the dying stages to take the sting out of the game by racking up precious seconds.

    The Irish would have hated it, but we loved every bit of it.

    Steph Catley – 7

    Handed the captain’s armband in the absence of Kerr and stepped up to the plate in a big way.

    She wasn’t quite as industrious when it came to getting forward like Carpenter, but Catley did her defensive duties perfectly.

    Catley also stepped up to the spot and coolly converted the penalty that ultimately won the game for the Matildas.

    Clare Hunt – 7.5

    Hunt oozed class with the ball at her feet and pinged it around the field with ease.

    The Western Sydney Wanderers standout also was unafraid to do her defensive duties when the need arose, snuffing out opposition attacks constantly.

    She did have a clumsy moment towards the end when she needlessly gave a foul away in the dying stages, but was otherwise a very accomplished performance from someone with very few Matildas caps to her name.

    Hunt was a standout at the back for the Matildas. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Alanna Kennedy – 8

    In a game that became increasingly feisty, Kennedy relished the challenge.

    The towering centre-back won countless headers and made a crucial interception midway through the first half to prevent an Irish attack.

    Kennedy led the team in passing with 84 completed, highlighting just how important she is to helping the build-up in moving the ball forward.

    Ellie Carpenter – 6

    As expected, Carpenter provided plenty of energy on the right and looked to link up with Raso in dangerous areas. However, she was somewhat guilty of overplaying the ball when a safe option was on, carelessly coughing up possession when there was little pressure on her.

    When Carpenter needed to defend in the dying stages, she stepped up in a big way but she’s certainly had better games in the green and gold.

    Cortnee Vine – 5

    Provided an outlet for diagonal balls and got on the end of several, but unfortunately couldn’t do much when she had the ball at her feet.

    Got into a bit of a tangle with Foord and Fowler in the box towards the end of the first half.

    Vine found herself on the right flank more in the second half but the tactical tweak didn’t quite help her make a larger impact on the game.

    Was the first player substituted off in the 75th minute.

    Kyra Cooney-Cross – 6.5

    The silky midfielder struggled to get her foot on the ball and ping it around the park, but she came up with crucial interceptions. Although she had a quiet first half, Cooney-Cross came to life in the second.

    She found herself with more time on the ball and looked to spray it around the park, with her diagonal ball into the box ultimately leading to the penalty.

    It wasn’t her finest performance, but she did a lot of unseen work that needed to be done.

    Kyra Cooney-Cross came to life in the second half. (Photo by Izhar KHAN / AFP)Source: AFP

    Katrina Gorry – 9

    The diminutive midfielder might be nicknamed Mini, but it was a mighty performance from the classy midfielder who seemed to be everywhere for the Australians.

    Gorry tackled hard and racked up interceptions, and her desperate sprint back towards Australia’s goal to snuff out a one-on-one chance was a highlight of the first half.

    Calm and composed on the ball, her technical excellence in tight spaces was on full display, though her long-range through balls failed to pay off.

    Gorry also led the team in tackles with six, proving she was more than happy to get her hands dirty.

    Hayley Raso – 7.5

    The new Real Madrid midfielder will need some bandaids after Wednesday night, after being caught in an intensely physical battle with Ireland captain and standout played Katie McCabe.

    Both players needed medical attention in the first half as their ongoing duel down Australia’s right flank provided plenty of entertainment – and bruises.

    Raso was largely kept quiet by the Arsenal superstar in the first period, but won a team-leading four fouls for her efforts, one of which resulted in the winning penalty.

    Despite constantly being knocked to the ground by her Irish rivals, Raso never stopped running and provided a crucial outlet time and time again.

    Caitlin Foord – 6

    Foord huffed and puffed but unfortunately didn’t get too close to blowing the Irish house down.

    It was evident Foord didn’t seem too familiar playing alongside Fowler up top given she’d played so long next to Kerr.

    However, it never stopped Foord from constantly charging across the front line and being a menace.

    She was most dangerous when she drifted into wide positions and had Irish defenders backing up in fear of Foord cutting inside and onto her right foot, but those opportunities were sadly far and few between.

    Foord never quite got the clear-cut chances she craves. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Mary Fowler – 6

    Thrust into a starting role as a result of Kerr’s shock absence.

    Fowler showed plenty of skill with the ball at her feet, but she never quite got going and was often seen dropping extremely deep just to pick up the ball.

    The youngster was eventually subbed off in the 85th minute after a display she’ll no doubt be frustrated with.

    SUBS

    Emily van Egmond – 5

    Entered the contest in the 75th minute for Cortnee Vine.

    The veteran midfielder was thrust into the contest to inject some much-needed calmness into the side as Ireland slowly grew into the game.

    She made just 11 passes in the time she was on the park and never got to show much of her creative skills.

    Clare Polkinghorne – 6

    Came on in the 85th minute in place of Mary Fowler.

    When the Matildas needed to shut up shop and repel wave after wave of Ireland’s green shirts, Polkinghorne was the perfect option to throw into the backline.

    She didn’t have much to do on the ball, making just two passes, but her calming presence no doubt eased the Matildas’ nerves in the dying stages of the contest.

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