‘Ludicrous’: England’s ‘dirty’ tactics blasted as ref ‘leaves cards in the change rooms’
England’s Lionesses have been blasted by pundits for their tactics, targeting Matildas skipper Sam Kerr in a physical show of force at Stadium Australia in the 2023 Women’s World Cup semi-final.
As early as the very first play of the game, the Lionesses stamped their authority on the game, with Barcelona star midfielder Keira Walsh landing on Kerr’s foot.
It wouldn’t even be ten minutes before Alex Greenwood proceeded to clatter into Kerr in a desperately late display of cynicism that Optus Sport’s Amy Chapman was not impressed with.
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“Greenwood very aware of who that was,” Chapman said.
“That was a very nasty tackle.”
Greenwood picked up a yellow card for her efforts, but England continued on with the strategy, racking up nine fouls to Australia’s one to conclude the first half.
Caitlin Foord was taken to ground by Lucy Bronze in what was described as a “blatant shove” by Grace Gill, while David Basheer on Seven added it was a “very iffy challenge”.
Tensions blew over at Stadium Australia when Jess Carter threw her boot in Kerr’s face in another reckless challenge, with Steve Wilson saying what every Australian was thinking on Optus Sport.
“Sam Kerr might just be getting the feeling that England are targeting her. That’s three times now,” Wilson said.
Chapman described it as a “ludicrous attempt to get to the ball”.
Optus Sport’s Catherine Cannuli said: “Number one on the list of tactics was ‘kick Sam Kerr a couple of times’.”
The strategy set social media alight, with AAP’s Darren Walton astonished by the Lionesses’ display of
Read on foxsports.com.au
