France, USA play out goalless draw

USA and France fell behind Korea DPR in Group B after they could only muster a 0-0 draw in Lankaran. The sides had met four years ago in New Zealand 2008 and ultimately the outcome was the same, with both sides taking home a share of the points. After the other game between the Korean’s and Gambia saw an absolute goal-fest, this clash of heavyweights followed in a more considered script. In a game billed as a showdown between rising stars Summer Green and Sandie Toletti but, starved of chances, the game was dominated by a solid USA defence. Green got her first chance late in the half though, breaking clear of the French backline, but she a shot at goal by the onrushing Romane Bruneau. This was sandwiched between efforts from distance by Giredge Mbock Bathy and Toletti for Les Bleuettes, but Toni Payne went the closest to scoring as she almost sent the Stars and Stripes in a goal up, however Bruneau again reacted smartly. In the second period France began the better, Ghoutia Karchouni hitting an effort just wide from a tight angle. They then almost broke the deadlock from a set-piece as Lea Declerq stung the palms of Jane Campbell with a vicious free-kick from 20-yards. Green had the ball in the back of the net in the closing seconds, but she had been long called offside and was booked for her troubles. Darian Jenkins then rustled the side-netting as the USA pushed for a late goal, but it was to no avail. FIFA