Girls in Green pay penalty in battling World Cup opener against Australia
Republic of Ireland 0 Australia 1
Ireland's Heather Payne in action against Caitlin Foord of Australia during the Women's World Cup 2023 Group B match at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Shame that such an historic occasion for the Republic of Ireland should be defined by a rash moment.
The Irish team had scripted a word-perfect half of football to deny a host nation, slowly crumbling under the weighty expectations of a hopeful nation, and denied the services of their star striker and leader.
But then the cruellest of gaffes; Marissa Sheva bundling from the blindside into Hayley Raso just six minutes into the second act.
Stand-in captain Steph Catley punished the indiscretion with unerring ruthlessness, perhaps the dour match’s only moment of real quality; neither a deserved reward for their limited imagination in attack nor for Ireland’s defensive fervour.
Sheva's tears must not define the game, even if her mistake may have decided it.
Ireland finished the game by pummelling the hosts, on the ropes; but no knockout blow, Megan Connolly’s free-kick just diverted over in injury time, a corner flapped away to some sense of safety, Australia fouling constantly, in despairing retreat.
Katie McCabe with Ireland’s first shot on target; Louise Quinn a header; two titans of this wonderful sports story battling to literally the final seconds to salvage a point.
They may have made their point, but this will leave them wanting more.
For the debut nation were always going to need more when their earlier nerve failed them; their graft unquestionable, but the extra craft required just out of reach.
Australia were able to keep the ball for longer periods, even though they didn’t do much with
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