By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Two goals from Chelsea FC striker, Sam (Samantha) Kerr and Charlotte Grant earned vastly improved Australia a 2-0 win over England at a rainy Brentford Community Stadium on Tuesday night to end a 30-match unbeaten run for Sarina Wiegman’s team.
With 100 days to go before co-hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with New Zealand, the Matildas returned to winning ways after their friendly defeat by Scotland on Friday thwarted a seventh straight win.
Kerr opened the scoring in the 32nd minute capitalising on a poor clearance by defender Leah Williamson to coolly slot home, despite appearing to be offside as there was no Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in place.
Australia’s counter-attacking play paid off and Grant doubled the lead in the 67th minute with a header that bounced off Williamson, who had a night to forget and into the net.
The Lionesses pressed but could not find a way past a solid Australian defence, as they lost for the first time under Wiegman’s tenure.
Australia play France in a friendly on July 14, before their World Cup opener against Ireland six days later. They will aslo play against Nigeria and Canada in same group while England kick off their World Cup campaign against Group D opponents Haiti on July 2.
Nigeria defeated Haiti 2-1 in Turkey last Friday in an international friendly match.
It is the first major disappointment for the Dutchwoman, coming only days after watching her team win the first ever Women’s Finalissima after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Brazil.
Now, England will be aiming to go as far as the fourth place finish they reached in 2019 in France.
