Two defenders out in latest injury blow for France at World Cup
Download the Sports Brief App Now to Stay Updated on Fresh Sports News!
Defenders Elisa De Almeida and Selma Bacha were Saturday ruled out of France's Women's World Cupopener against Jamaica, adding to their list of missing players.
Coach Herve Renard is now missing about half of his strongest starting XI to injury.
Paris Saint-Germain's De Almeida hurt her calf in training while Lyon's Bacha was stretchered off during their 1-0 friendly loss to Australia in Melbourne last week clutching her left ankle.
«She took a hit 48 hours ago, she couldn't put her foot down. Today (Saturday) it's better but she won't be able to line up tomorrow,» Renard said of De Almeida.
«Selma is getting better,» he added. «We were a bit afraid, but she is smiling again and in good shape. But we won't risk her tomorrow.»
Despite all the injuries France are widely expected to advance to the last 16 as group winners as they aim to at least match their best Women's WorldCup performance of fourth place in 2011.
Philippines hope 'meteoric rise' to World Cup is game-changer
FootballDefeat to Australia in front of 50,000 fans ended Renard's three-match win streak since giving up a lucrative contract with the Saudi Arabia men's team to take over his native France.
He blamed the loss on jet lag, but says his players are over it now.
«We had only been here for a few days, we were jet-lagged and not the way we were before,» he said. «But it was good for us to have a competitive match.
»The girls are ready now because we want to do something great at this World Cup."
Jamaica, France's opponents in Sydney on Sunday, made their tournament debut four years ago and placed in a tough group returned home after three defeats.
But they are spearheaded by in-form
Read on sportsbrief.com
