JAMAICA HOLDS FRANCE TO A DRAW IN THE FIFA WOMENS’ WORLD CUP

The game which took place at the Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney/Gadigal, Australia to many did not live to expectation as many expected it to be an easy win for France who were making their fifth FIFA Women’s’ world cup appearance and forth in succession. France did not have it was as Jamaica made their fight till the end with many chances going abeg.

France with an impressive record at the previous world cups struggled to put Jamaica apart as the even though statistics on dad the game in their favour.

With the match underway, referee María CARVAJAL and her assistant referees Leslie VÁSQUEZ and Loreto TOLOZA ensured fairness allowing flow of the game.

France from the start of the first half through to the end dominated play but could not convert any of their attacks into goal. Holding about 73% possession against 27% for Jamaica and 472 passes against 193, France could only shoot fourteen times but the resilient defense of Jamaica ensured their post was safe till the end of the game.

The game looked over until referee Carvajal in the dire minutes of the game sent Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw who dived into a tackle. Khadija who looked shocked at the decision had no luck as the ruling remained with many of her teammates calling for a review.

With a player short, it was already too late for France to capitalize on the woman advantage, but Khadija will be missing the next game which might be a blow to her team.

This becomes the second time France has failed to win an opening game in the FIFA women’s world cup after suffering a 0-2 defeat to Norway in 2003.

Jamaica on the other hand had a course to celebrate as their avoided another defeat to repeat their previous tourney in 2019 where they lost all three games in the group matches.