IMAGE: France played out a draw with Jamaica in their opener. Photograph: Carl Recine/Reuters
France’s hopes of a winning start to their Women’s World Cup campaign were thwarted by a hardworking Jamaican side in a 0-0 draw in the opening Group F clash at Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
The fifth-ranked French, semi-finalists at last year’s Euros, were unable to get their game going as the Jamaicans hassled and harried them throughout the 90 minutes to earn their first World Cup point after three losses on their 2019 debut.
Forward Kadidiatou Diani almost clinched the winner for France in the 90th minute but her powerful header hit the bar then the post to the delight of the crowd of nearly 40,000, who had embraced the 43rd-ranked underdogs.
“It was a difficult first half, we came up against a group of really athletic women,” France coach Herve Renard told reporters.
“The second half was better, we created chances but unfortunately we were unable to find the back of the net.”
IMAGE: Slice of action from the France vs Jamaica match. Photograph: Jaimi Joy/Reuters
The Jamaicans celebrated at the final whistle as if they won the tournament, even though they lost their best player Khadija Shaw to a red card in stoppage time.
Coach Lorne Donaldson thought the draw would rank as Jamaica’s finest football moment.
“I would say it is the number one result we have had so far. I think it’s the number one I have seen, men or women. I would put it there,” he said.
“Just looking at the rankings, that result on this stage has to be number one.”
It looked like the game might be robbed of its two biggest names when France skipper Wendie Renard and striker Shaw clashed heads in the opening few minutes.
Both returned to the pitch after brief medical attention, however, and Shaw was soon causing the French plenty of problems with her direct running and physicality.
The French put together the first move of any quality in the 36th minute with forward Diani set free to draw a save out of Jamaica goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer, who was again at full stretch to deny Renard at the ensuing corner.
France gradually imposed themselves on the game in the second half and Diani and midfielder Sandie Toletti both had chances before the hour mark but neither bothered Spencer.
Diani steered another header wide in the 66th minute and Eugenie Le Sommer drew another save out of Spencer 10 minutes later as the rain cascaded down on the pitch.
Outstanding left back Deneisha Blackwood led the way as Jamaica kept to their task, however, and they held on as the French lofted cross after cross into their box in a frenetic finish.
Shaw, who had been a constant thorn in France’s side, was sent off when she received a second caution for a tackle on Renard deep in the France half.
France take on Brazil on Saturday in the match that was supposed to decide Group F, while Jamaica will face Panama in Perth later the same day.
“I am satisfied with the attitude of my players, they showed fight and that will be important for the challenges that come ahead,” added coach Renard, who masterminded Saudi Arabia’s upset of Argentina at the men’s World Cup last year.
“We deserved to win, they didn’t get any chances. I hope (Jamaica) fight as hard against Brazil and Panama.”
IMAGE: Amanda Ilestedt reacts during the match. Photograph: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
Sweden down South Africa in opener
Amanda Ilestedt’s 90th minute winner gave Sweden a 2-1 win over South Africa in their Women’s World Cup Group G match on Sunday after a fortuitous equaliser from Fridolina Rolfo had cancelled out Hildah Magaia’s opener.
Under pouring rain in the New Zealand capital, the lanky Ilestedt jumped highest and squeezed the ball home to save her team’s blushes after they were left frustrated by the African champions for much of the opening hour of the game.
The result left the third-ranked Swedes top of their group, before Italy and Argentina play their opener in Auckland on Monday.
“South Africa made it hard for us, but I think we grew into the game and got better and better. In the second half we played better, but a victory in the opening game is what counts,” Ilestedt said.
South Africa, ranked 54th, were looking for their first ever World Cup win on their second appearance at the tournament, having exited in the group stage in 2019 without picking up a point.
They kept their more fancied opponents at bay in the first half, as a frustrated Sweden side controlled possession but could not find the finishing touch, and threatened on the counter.
IMAGE: South Africa’s Hildah Magaia in action with Sweden’s Elin Rubensson. Photograph: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
Captain Refiloe Jane’s brilliant long-range attempt floated over the crossbar, while Sweden struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Filippa Angeldal drawing the only save from the goalkeeper in the first half with a tame effort.
Zecira Musovic had parried away Thembi Kgatlana’s shot but Magaia got to the rebound before Sweden defender Jonna Andersson and bundled the ball over the line two minutes after the break, scoring South Africa’s second ever World Cup goal.
But Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s cross skewed off defender Lebohang Ramalepe and bounced into the net off Rolfo to hand the Swedes a lifeline in the 66th minute.
Peter Gerhardsson’s side pushed for a winner but they were denied by South Africa’s resolute defending, until Ilestedt met Kosovare Asllani’s corner with a strong header.
“We’re so used to being in such situations where things don’t work, (and thinking about) what are we going to do,” Gerhardsson said.
“It’s no coincidence that we decided the match on a set piece, it’s no coincidence because that’s what we practice a lot.”
Sweden will take on Italy in Wellington on Saturday after South Africa face Argentina in Dunedin on Friday.
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