FIFA WWC 2023: Women’s World Cup goes ahead after shooting tragedy in Auckland
JON SHALLARD in AUCKLAND: A one-minute silence was held before the two opening matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the victims of a shooting incident in Auckland which left three people dead and six injured, including police officers.
The incident erupted hours before the tournament kickoff when a local 24-year-old man with a history of family violence and mental issues opened fire on a construction site. Police said he had been subject to a home detention order but had an exemption to work at the site.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said the attack was not an act of terrorism, was not related to the Women’s World Cup and would not affect the tournament staging.
Brown said, via Twitter: “I can’t remember anything like this ever happening in our beautiful city. This morning’s events have been tragic and distressing for all Aucklanders.”
World football federation FIFA expressed its “deepest condolences” to the victims’ families. A statement added: “The participating teams in close proximity to this incident are being supported in relation to any impact that may have taken place.”
The Opening Match saw hosts New Zealand spring a major surprise by defeating 1995 world champions Norway 1-0 in Eden Park.
The Football Ferns owed victory to a 48th-minute goal from Hannah Wilkinson, converting a cross from Jacqui Hand, in front of a 42,137 crowd, a record for a football match in New Zealand. The margin could have been wider but Ria Percival missed an 89th-minute penalty. New Zealand had failed to win any of their previous 15 World Cup games.
Hours later cohosts Australia emulated New Zealand on winning their opening game by defeating Republic of Ireland 1-0 in Group B in Sydney.
The Irish held the Matildas at bay in the first half but seven minutes after the interval Hayley Raso was pushed over by Marissa Sheva and Brazilian referee Edina Alves awarded a penalty which Steph Catley converted.
Catley was the Australians’ stand-in captain after star forward Sam Kerr had suffered a calf injury on the eve of the game. Kerr is now also expected to miss Australia’s second game against Nigeria.
Australia and New Zealand were chosen as cohosts in 2020 for a tournament which, FIFA predicts, will be watched on television by two billion fans around the world.
###########
