Bunny Shaw sees red but Jamaica frustrate France as Reggae Girlz take a point from goalless 2023 Women’s World Cup opener
Bunny Shaw and Jamaica were able to frustrate France as both sides had to settle for a point in a goalless draw at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
TELL ME MORE: The Reggae Girlz showed in Sydney that they are capable of holding their own against supposedly superior opposition, with Les Bleues contained with relative ease for long periods on Australian soil.
A scrappy opening set the tone, with the action flowing from end to end without a clear-cut opening being created. Wendie Renard was a constant threat for France from set-pieces, but Jamaica battled bravely throughout.
Star striker Shaw flashed a long-range free-kick narrowly wide late in the first-half, before Kadidiatou Diani saw a strike from the edge of the box deflect agonisingly past the post in stoppage-time as both teams sought to get a foothold in the game.
The French had more of a swagger about them after the break, with Diani going close with a collection of close-range headers — one of which struck the crossbar and upright late on before Shaw collected a second yellow card. But ultimately they were unable to turn their dominance of possession into end product – much to the frustration of coach Herve Renard, who oversaw Saudi Arabia’s stunning upset of Argentina in their opening game of the men’s 2022 World Cup.
THE MVP: Manchester City star Shaw hit 31 goals in 30 games at club level last season and is a talismanic presence for her country. Jamaica required the support of crowd funding in order to get themselves to the 2023 World Cup, and they are determined to repay that faith. Shaw continues to lead by example, with the 26-year-old – who boasts 56 goals at international – full of running. She closed down from the front and attracted multiple French players to her
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