The Matildas’ Hayley Raso and Cortnee Vine spoke to the media after Australia’s 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland to open their World Cup campaign. Ben Gilby reports (20/7/23)
Above: Hayley Raso speaking to the media after today’s opening win at the World Cup for Australia. Image: Football Australia.
Australia overcame the loss of captain Sam Kerr and a typically well organised Republic of Ireland team to win their opening World Cup match in front of a record crowd for a women’s match of 75,784 at Stadium Australia.
Speaking after the match, The Matildas’ former Everton and Manchester City star Hayley Raso summed up her conflicting emotions saying: “I’m relieved, exhausted. I feel like I need a rest! I’m ecstatic, excited. It was amazing. It was a special evening and to come away with the win was all we could have asked for.”
The sheer size of the crowd, the atmosphere they produced inside and outside the stadium, including on the trains from Sydney out to the venue were sights and sounds to behold. It was something that Raso had never quite experienced before.
“I had goosebumps when I first walked out. Seeing the stadium packed, seeing my family in the stands, when the anthem was playing.”
As expected, the Republic of Ireland were extremely well set up and set the co-hosts a myriad of puzzles to solve in order to create shots on goal. Raso’s task was made even more challenging by a personal duel with Arsenal legend Katie McCabe – someone the Queenslander knows well from her own time in the WSL.
“It’s always a battle with Katie McCabe,” Raso admitted. “It was a very physical game, very tough. We were prepared for it, we knew it was going to be that kind of game. We just had to stay calm and composed and break them down.”
The decisive moment came seven minutes into the second half when Raso was pushed by Ireland’s Marissa Sheva and a penalty was awarded. Real Madrid’s new signing admitted she couldn’t look as Steph Catley placed the ball on the spot.
“In the moment I didn’t really know if it was a penalty. It was a physical game, there were shoves all the time. The way Steph Catley stepped up was amazing. I was looking down when she took it, I was just, like: ‘Please come on and score it!’
“They (Ireland) had a few chances towards the end, but our defenders were amazing tonight, all credit to them. We held them strong and stuck to our game plan.”
Sydney FC attacker Cortnee Vine was absolutely buzzing after the game. The sense of pride in her personal achievement and being part of her country’s opening World Cup win on home soil was clear for all to see.
“That was pretty crazy!” Vine beamed.
“It was pretty hard work to be honest. The crowd were amazing, You just don’t imagine it, to be honest. Nearly 80,000 people…it’s beyond my wildest dreams. It was a dream come true to play in my first World Cup and to kick it off with a win, that’s what we want.”
The A-League Women star detailed how she dealt with the pre-match butterflies that came with the prospect of making her World Cup debut in front of a record crowd for a women’s football match in Australia.
“You have to control your nerves. When you’ve had something like this on your goal list for so long, you just have to take some deep breaths and be in the moment. It was amazing to look up and see so many Aussies singing the National Anthem.”
Vine too emphasised the physical nature of the encounter but felt that the Matildas’ forensic preparation was a key part of overcoming stubborn opposition.
“It was very physical, but it was as we expected. They played five at the back, four in the middle. It’s always hard to break down that block. It’s about being patient and finding those moments. Today we were lucky with getting the penalty.
“I’m never stressed with pens, I always back the girls. Once it went in, I just chased after Steph (Catley), it was crazy!”
“Next game – we focus on Nigeria. For now, we just enjoy the win.”
Also on Impetus:
TODAY:
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TOMORROW:
Jonathan Tay analyses Australia’s win over the Republic of Ireland.
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