Page 4 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.28 2022-23

England 0
Australia 2 (Kerr 32, Grant 67)
at the Brentford Community Stadium
England’s unbeaten run under the guidance of Sarina Wiegman came to an end as they went
down 2-0 to World Cup hosts Australia at the Brentford Community Stadium.
The result was no more than the Matildas deserved as they showed their credentials for
the forthcoming tournament and gave a reality check for England, who were beaten for the
first time since losing to Canada in April 2021.
England went into the game on the back of their penalty shootout Finalissima triumph,
despite a disappointing second half display in that match, and the early signs were good as
Mackenzie Arnold saved from Alessia Russo following a Lauren Hemp cross.
However from that point, Australia took control of the game with Hayley Raso looking
sharp up front alongside Sam Kerr, Raso having a shot charged down after pouncing on a
loose pass.
England were dealt a blow when Hemp was forced off through injury just before the half
hour and things got even worse four minutes later as Leah Williamson’s headed back pass
was seized on by Kerr who neatly dinked over a stranded Mary Earps for the opening goal.
Georgia Stanway had a shot blocked following good work by Russo at the other end but
England were making little impression at this point and Australia were well worth their lead
at the interval.
Kerr sent an early chance wide in the second half, before England had their best spell
of the match, after Clare Hunt had sliced a Lauren James cross into her own side netting.
James forced a save low down from Arnold and Lucy Bronze headed over from the resulting
corner.
Just as England were trying to build some momentum, a quickfire Australian counter
attack saw Kerr released down the right, where her cross picked out Charlotte Grant whose
header deflected in off Williamson for the second goal.
England introduced Rachel Daly as a substitute and she was unable to take a great
opportunity to pull a goal back when she sent a free header wide from a Bronze cross.
Stanway volleyed inches wide in injury time but the game had long been up for England by
then as Australia recorded a well earned win.
The long unbeaten run was always going to come to an end but the manner of defeat
will serve as warning to be heeded by England, that there is work to be done if they are to
build on last year’s success in the Euros. Australia meanwhile will go into their home
tournament buoyed by an impressive result and performance, even though they were
missing the likes of Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley.
England: Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter (sub Jess Park 84mins), Keira Walsh,
Leah Williamson, Esme Morgan, Chloe Kelly, Georgia Stanway, Alessia Russo, Ella Toone
(sub Rachel Daly 60mins), Lauren Hemp (sub Lauren James 28mins). Subs not used:
Maya Le Tissier, Ellie Roebuck, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Niamh Charles, Jordan Nobbs, Laura
Coombs, Hannah Hampton, Katie Robinson, Lucy Parker.
Australia: Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Clare Polkinghorne,
Charlotte Grant, Hayley Raso (sub Courtney Nevin 90mins), Katrina Gorry, Kyra
Cooney-Cross, Tameka Yallop (sub Cortnee Vine 40mins (sub Clare Wheeler 86mins)),
Mary Fowler, Sam Kerr (sub Alex Chidiac 90mins). Subs not used: Lydia Williams, Aivi
Luik, Teagan Micah, Larissa Crummer, Remy Siemsen, Mathyssen-Whyman, Amy Sayer,
Matilda McNamara.
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