The 2023 World Cup has kicked off, granted partially anti-climatic with only two goals from two games, with both co-hosts setting abound with hard-fought victories.
We also witnessed the first ever improvisations of VAR with audio rationale; assured to be a pioneering revolution in refereeing for future tournaments.
Group A: New Zealand 1-0 Norway
Norway - ranked 14 places higher than their counterparts - again showed a concerning frailness in defense, exploited in the 2021 Euro campaign (notably in an 8-0 drubbing by England) and a tepid attack boasting Ballon D'or royalty in Ada Hegerberg, who was largely ineffective. Whilst New Zealand managed to procure the result amidst a slight onslaught in the closing 10 minutes of added time, the Ferns should've settled the quarrel within 90 minutes when VAR awarded them a penalty for handball in the dying embers of normal time; a missed opportunity only owing to the wonders of woodwork that Ria Percival was denied from the spot. Nevertheless, New Zealand's sweeping attack early in the second half, punishingly converted by Hannah Wilkinson, was enough to ensure New Zealand won their first EVER World Cup outing. Norway will be extremely disappointed, but the former world champions (1995) need to recoup and recover fast. Host nations are always afforded extra impetus and desire given the electric support of home-fans and the grandiosity of the occasion; with composure, Norway should still be able to carve a way out of the group stage.
Group B: Australia 1-0 Republic of Ireland
It was always going to be hard to see anything other than an Australian win here, but hampered by an alleged two-match injury to megastar Sam Kerr, Australia struggled to find a real rhythm or route through a steadfast defense dictated by Ireland's captain Katie Mccabe. In a physical and relatively rugged spat of a battle between the sides, the breakthrough came in the shape of a second-half penalty which Steph Catley resoundingly dispatched for the Matildas. Ireland's game-plan of containment proved a hefty wall for Australia, but with the aid of 70,000 fans in support, they did just about enough to stagger away with 3 points. The Irish will bounce back - certainly - given the graft of their performance. Australia, though the victors, require more innovative passages of play if they are to live up to the expectations of the crowd. The absence of the incredible Kerr is abundant, her return tantamount to the task of challenging more offensively structured teams and formations.
𝟕𝟓,𝟕𝟖𝟒. ✨
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 20, 2023
A record home crowd for a women's football match in Australia! 🙌#BeyondGreatness | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/7O9lJIddc3
No comments:
Post a Comment