Regardless of being semi-finalists within the earlier 12 months’s European Championship, the French staff struggled to execute their fluid passing sport as a result of relentless strain imposed by the Jamaican gamers. This resilient efficiency allowed Jamaica to safe their first-ever World Cup level after going through three defeats of their debut event in 2019.
Within the 90th minute, ahead Kadidiatou Diani got here agonisingly near clinching the victory for France with a robust header, solely to see her effort hit the crossbar after which the submit earlier than bouncing out.
The near-miss led to jubilation among the many Jamaican supporters within the crowd of practically 40,000, as their staff held on to safe a hard-fought draw towards a robust French facet.
Fifth ranked France tackle Brazil within the match that was anticipated to resolve Group F in Brisbane on Saturday, whereas Jamaica will face Panama in Perth later the identical day with out striker Khadija Shaw, who was dismissed in stoppage time.
It regarded like the sport is likely to be robbed of its two greatest names when France skipper Wendie Renard and Shaw clashed heads within the opening couple of minutes.
Each returned to the pitch after transient medical consideration, nonetheless, and Shaw was quickly inflicting the French loads of issues along with her direct working and physicality.
France have been struggling to get their passing sport going due to Jamaica’s arduous press and the Reggae Girlz had the higher of the early exchanges.
The French put collectively the primary transfer of any high quality within the 36th minute with ahead Diani let loose to attract a save out of Jamaica goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer, who was once more at full stretch to disclaim Renard on the ensuing nook.
Shaw hammered a free kick huge of the submit within the 42nd minute in Jamaica’s finest likelihood of the primary half and a deflected Diani effort flashed huge in stoppage time earlier than the break.
France steadily imposed themselves on the sport within the second half and Diani and midfielder Sandie Toletti each had possibilities earlier than the hour mark however neither bothered Spencer.
Diani steered one other header huge within the 66th minute and Eugenie Le Sommer drew one other save out of Spencer 10 minutes later because the rain cascaded down on the Sydney Soccer Stadium.
Excellent left again Deneisha Blackwood led the best way as Jamaica saved to their process, nonetheless, and held on because the French lofted cross after cross into their field in a frenetic end.
Shaw, who had been a continuing thorn in France’s facet, was despatched off for a deal with on Renard deep within the France half, her second yellow card offence of the match.
(With Reuters Inputs)
