More than 50,000 watch Australia edge France in World Cup boost
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Manchester City striker Mary Fowler scored the only goal as Australia warmed up for the Women's World Cup by beating fifth-ranked France 1-0 Friday in front of more than 50,000 fans.
It ensured the tournament co-hosts head into their opening World Cupmatch against Ireland in Sydney next week on a winning note.
Fowler's clinical finish in the 66th minute was all that separated the sides in a fast-paced friendly watched by a sell-out, 50,629-strong crowd in Melbourne — the largest ever on home soil for the Australian women's team.
Defeat ended new France coach Herve Renard's three-match win streak since giving up a lucrative contract with the Saudi Arabia men's team to take over, when former boss Corinne Diacre was sacked in March.
And it left him with an injury worry after Lyon defender Selma Bacha was stretchered off in the dying minutes, clutching her left ankle.
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Football«Always an important game, they're a great team and I thought we put in a great performance tonight,» said Australia skipper Sam Kerr.
«But this all about the journey, about building confidence for next week.»
Both sides started with close to their best XI and had early half-chances after a nervy start, with Australia threatening on the counter-attack.
But it took until the 16th minute for the first shot on target with Bacha's stinging strike parried by goalkeeperMackenzie Arnold.
France started to click in midfield and twice went close, but the home defence was solid and they went to the break scoreless.
The deadlock was finally broken when new Real Madridrecruit Hayley Raso accepted the ball on the right and picked out
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