Angry Matildas fans blast ‘cowardly’ Lionesses’ aggressive approach in World Cup semi-final as they accuse England of ‘being out for Sam Kerr’
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Australia fans were up in arms at England’s aggressive approach in the Women’s World Cup semi-final.
The Lionesses set out their stall early in the contest in Sydney on Wednesday night, with a number of robust challenges in the first half.
From the early exchanges, England looked determined to stop Australia as far high up the field as possible with Ella Toone and Lucy Bronze both penalised by referee Tori Penso.
Matildas full-back Steph Catley was twice barged to the turf, as the Lionesses successfully disrupted Australia’s rhythm and never allowed the hosts to settle.
England gave away nine fouls in the first 45 minutes to Australia’s one, with Lionesses defender Alex Greenwood the only player booked in the first half.
Australian fans were up in arms at England’s aggressive approach in the World Cup semi-final
Matildas skipper Sam Kerr (right) was on the end of some bruising treatment from England
Unsurprisingly, the physical approach did not please Matildas fans, who took to social media to vent their frustration.
‘Actual lionesses are brave. I don’t know what this English squad thinks they are but they strike me more like cowardly dogs,’ an Australian fan tweeted.
Another added: ‘Wasn’t aware you could fly-kick someone square in the face or chuck a knee in.’
A fan, meanwhile, suggested the Lionesses’ approach would be more suited to the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
‘Looks like the England women’s team brought their rugby skills to the football field!,’ the tweet read.
Some supporters, meanwhile, suggested England were deliberately targeting Matildas skipper Sam Kerr, who made his first start of the tournament on Wednesday night.
‘While I’m ambivalent about who I want to win, I’d prefer it if #England didn’t kick Sam Kerr to bits quite so much,’ one tweeted.
Another added: ‘England are out for Sam Kerr tonight.’
Matildas fans accused the Lionesses of being cowardly in their approach on Wednesday
Another fan complained Australia were getting no protection from referee Tori Penso
While another supporter joked England had adopted a rugby-like approach
Kerr came into the Matildas starting XI for Emily Van Egmond, despite playing just 75 minutes of football at the World Cup so far.
The 29-year-old injured her left calf on July 19, a day before Australia’s tournament opener against the Republic of Ireland.
The Chelsea forward was forced to miss all three group stage games as a result, but came off the bench for the last 10 minutes of the 2-0 win over Denmark in the Round of 16 clash.
Kerr was introduced with 55 minutes gone in the quarter-final against France on Saturday and converted her penalty in the shoot-out.
On Monday, the Matildas skipper revealed she had shrugged off the calf injury she sustained in training before the tournament, but revealed the plan was always to get her fit for the semi-final.
‘When I hurt my calf, the plan was to always to [try to] be ready for a semi-final, the final.
‘So I could have [started against France], but who knows what could have happened?
England defender Alex Greenwood (right) was the only player booked in the first half
Some Matildas fans claimed England were desperate to stop Kerr in any way possible
The feeling was shared even by some of the neutrals, who noted the punishing treatment dished out to the Matildas skipper
‘The girls have been smashing it and absolutely dominating.
‘I was ready to go, but we’ve had a plan this whole tournament and we just had to stick to it.
‘That was part of the plan, to get 20 minutes against Denmark to make me feel better for this game and now with another, what, 65 minutes, I feel better for it and I’ll have more training under my belt.
‘So I feel ready to go. I think with everything that’s been going on, the best thing for [the France game] was the plan we did and the plan we followed.’
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