Australia’s celebrity striker Sam Kerr has led the Matildas to a shock confidence-boosting overcome England, inflicting the primary defeat of the Lionesses in two and a half years.
In a surprising consequence, the Matildas surprised the England group, profitable 2-0 due to Kerr scoring off an England mistake within the first half after which organising a superb cross within the second half for Charlotte Grant to go the ball, off a deflection, into the web.
There was no signal of the slight leg damage that had benched Kerr, 29, when Australia misplaced 1-0 to Scotland on Good Friday.
Kerr stated later she had a slight sore knee however could be advantageous to play for Chelsea in opposition to Aston Villa on the weekend, whereas Gustavsson stated she had a foot drawback.
Kerr stated it was a really very good consequence, and that for Australians waking as much as the information, she hoped “there will probably be plenty of pleased Aussies”.
Gustavsson was elated with claiming England’s scalp however he instantly warned the group to be humble and stay in “a gray zone”.
“We have to keep in that boring gray space, to remain grounded and humble, however we all know that on any given day we would not have the very best group however we are able to beat the very best group and that’s what is required in tournaments,” he stated.
Enjoying earlier than a sold-out crowd at Brentford in West London, the Matildas have now rocketed to be one of many favourites for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand which begins in beneath 100 days.
Head coach Tony Gustavsson had famous earlier than the sport {that a} victory in opposition to England – the present European champions and a group contemporary off profitable the Finalissima in opposition to Brazil final week on penalties – could be “an overachievement” given the Matildas damage woes, with as many as eight key gamers out. However he had despatched the group out with a courageous recreation plan to press as strongly as doable, even when that meant a giant loss.
However the daring Australian ways paid wealthy dividends.
Gustavsson stated: “It offers me a way of pleasure, seeing these gamers who may use all the justifications on the planet to not carry out right this moment taking part in the group that’s the very best kind on the planet proper now: they performed phenomenal soccer. To be a part of that sort of id and the center that lives on this group, combining that coronary heart with the pinnacle, the self-discipline of the ways was sensible. That mixture of head and coronary heart is what makes me actually proud.’’
Gustavsson had stated: “We’ve to remain true to our id and taking part in fashion, press as aggressively as we normally do, play our attacking job, not simply maintain the rating down: it may cost a little us, however we should be challenged and keep true to who we’re.’’
Kerr was on fireplace within the match which was simply down the highway from her Chelsea base, capitalising on a dreadful error by the England captain Leah Williamson within the first half. Williamson had misheaded a ball again to the keeper, giving Kerr, who had been off-side till Williamson’s contact, a straightforward shot on the objective within the thirty first minute.
Kerr, as is her wont wasn’t going to overlook such a possibility, and she or he electrified the small contingent of Australian followers braving the soggy circumstances together with her deft contact and celebratory slide for her 63rd worldwide objective in 130 matches.
“As soon as I noticed that it was form of floating I knew that there was going to be a miscommunication between the 2 and luckily for me, it did,’’ Kerr stated.
Williamson, normally one of many Lionesses strongest gamers was uncharacteristically off her recreation, giving Kerr that scoring probability, after which minutes later she once more miscalculating a second perilous return to the keeper, Mary Earps.
Sadly for Williamson, her evening acquired worse. Within the second half Australia’s Manchester Metropolis winger Hayley Ruso despatched a protracted ball down the proper flank to Kerr, who struck a booming cross to the pinnacle of Grant, whose shot then deflected off the England defender into the web.
The official statisticians credited Grant with the objective, her first in worldwide soccer.
“To get a objective was simply so thrilling, I’m simply pumped,’’she stated.
“I simply put my head on it and hoped for the very best and I’m simply glad it went int he again of the web”.
The mounting scoreline shocked the Lionesses who had by no means gone to the break down a objective within the 30 matches beneath Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, who took cost in September 2021, not to mention lose by two objectives.
Wiegman stated:”Once you play prime groups you count on to play prime gamers comparable to Sam Kerr and when on kind they punish you and that’s what occurred tonight.” She stated there have been “many” groups have been able to profitable the World Cup , including “and I feel Australia is one in every of them”.
However Australia’s tempo and on-ball defence saved the England group at bay. Within the first half, regardless of the house aspect having fun with a glut of possession and 5 objective scoring makes an attempt, Australia appeared composed whereas England was sluggish.
Nonetheless the shut marking noticed Tameka Yallop undergo a foot damage within the first half, and she or he was changed by speedy Sydney FC defender Cortnee Vine.
Ellie Carpenter, the 22 12 months outdated who performs for Lyon, has returned from damage and was additionally inflicting hassle for the England group. Katrina Gorry’s midfield expertise shone, and Mackenzie Arnold in objectives was strong.
Within the second half Kerr had one other shot within the forty eighth minute off a pleasant ball from Vine, but it surely went extensive. Then Clare Hunt had a detailed try as England appeared to panic and lose their tactical composure.
Gustavsson subbed Kerr late within the second half to guard her from damage when Australia dropped again deep in defence to guard their lead.
