Matildas star Katrina Gorry has delivered a classy response to a sexism controversy that erupted during Australia’s World Cup opener against Ireland.
The star midfielder found herself at the centre of a storm following comments made by Channel 7’s David Basheer.
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Gorry had made a crunching tackle when Basheer stated: “Certainly motherhood has not blunted her competitive instincts, that’s for sure. She is one fighter for Australia”.
It sparked controversy with the commentator criticised for suggesting becoming a mother would lessen Gorry’s hunger and drive for success. It was also pointed out that such comments are not made in the men’s game.
Gorry was pressed on the comments on Monday but refused to criticise the veteran caller.
“I’ve heard about it – I don’t take things like that too personally,” she said.
“I don’t really look at things like that but I can see how it got taken the wrong way.
“I’m sure he didn’t mean it in a negative way. Sometimes things just come out in the wrong way, but it is what it is.”
Gorry gave birth to daughter Harper in 2021.
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WORLD CUP PUTS BIG FEAR TO BED
With the opening round of group games completed, fears that a first 32-team Women’s World Cup would see a flurry of embarrassing mismatches appear largely misplaced.
Admittedly, Morocco experienced a painful introduction to the tournament on Monday as their debut ended in a 6-0 hammering in Melbourne at the hands of Germany, one of the favourites.
Zambia too suffered a heavy 5-0 loss to former winners Japan, but there has been nothing on the scale of the USA’s 13-0 annihilation of Thailand with which they began their triumphant campaign in 2019.
England, another of the favourites, struggled to break down a Haiti side ranked 53rd in the world and making their World Cup debut.
The European champions only secured a 1-0 win thanks to Georgia Stanway’s penalty.
The United States were expected to rattle in the goals against 32nd-ranked Vietnam but settled for a 3-0 victory in Auckland, although they missed a penalty and the shot count was 26-0.
Similarly, Spain beat Costa Rica 3-0 but it could easily have been more: they had 46 shots to one for their opponents.
“Going into this World Cup the game has just grown and a lot of federations have grown as well, so I think it is great to see so many countries coming in and making a great impression on the world stage,” said United States defender Naomi Girma.